Of Quality, Computers and Controversy

Local Quality
Local is a very important word in my vocabulary, and Quality is another, and for me, they go hand in hand. I have written about quality here, and it is the main criterion I use to select the books I publish. However, I recognise, seek out, and exploit Quality in all areas of life. When I find it I like to celebrate it.
Quality is the principle which governs the many small independent businesses in Wigton, and will ensure their success and survival in the face of Tesco and other powerful giant chains. A recent article by Sue Allan in Cumbria Life gave a good impression of a vibrant bustling and interesting town. I could write at length of the excellent greengrocer's (just one- Lightfoot's- selling a huge range of local and wonderful produce, including locally made cheeses and fiery chorizo) butcher's (several, all very good, and each with their loyal customer base) and baker's shops, but I want to mention a recent discovery.
Computer Magician
I have had a lot of computer problems recently- and who doesn't- and was in despair at the arrogant and hard-nosed attitude of Comet, so I thought I'd chance the unknown, and phone the person who advertised by means of a board on the Wigton by-pass. I had nothing to lose, and found, over several months, that I had everything to gain. Not only is James Percy, the proprietor of Cumbria Computer Consultants, a really nice bloke- he knows his stuff, and immediately inspires confidence. He has fixed so many problems for me that I even entrusted my new and precious Macbook to him, and he liaised with Apple to diagnose the problem. As all really good "fixers"- (I would include builders, plumbers and electricians)- he is a creative problem solver who thinks laterally. I have no hesitation in saying to anyone with a computer,"Try James first. He's Quality"
Emotive Energy Issues
On a different, but still local note, I received some interest from a tweet about the proposed Little Waver Windfarm, and for my announcement of the Nuclear Debate in Cockermouth on 17th September. A quick skim through the comments on this article in the News and Star, reveals the huge divergence of local opinions. Both issues are hot and topical, and divide people along non-traditonal lines: you cannot predict which way a peson you know to be "green" will go on either topic; and both issues are very local. Nor do people divide along party political lines. For my own part, I have always been anti nuclear, but people like Mark Lynas, one of the speakers in the Cockermouth debate, have made me stop and think, so that I will be trying to find out more; and although wind power sounds good in theory, I am appalled at the way many turbines seem to dwarf the landscape and buildings near them. More importantly, I am very shocked by the vast sums of money paid to landowners out of government subsidies. I also think onshore farms are inefficient, when winds are sporadic and inconsistent. Just as with nuclear power, we do not know either true costs or efficiency.

How many lakes are there in the Lake District?

When my children were young, they took great pride in instructing visitors: there is only one lake in the Lake District- the rest are meres or waters or tarns. There is Windermere, Wastwater, Coniston Water, Sprinkling Tarn, Ullswater, Buttermere. The names roll off the tongue, quirky and evocative. Only Bassenthwaite requires the addition of the word "lake" to pin it down.

I was gratified that my older daughter, now in her late thirties, and visiting from London, was horrified when she read a tourist leaflet mentioning "Lake Windermere". I have been raging about this particular bit of local dumbing down for some time. Why can't visitors be instructed? Are all our visitors so stupid, that they can't understand that "mere" and "water" mean "lake"? It seems to me that this is a concession to our visitors that they neither need nor want. We underestimate people's ability to absorb knowledge and enjoy learning new words and concepts. Our visitors used to chuckle when caught out by our children. They took away a little bit of extra knowledge; a tiny mental enrichment; a small link to the past.

A Successful Search

Dad, Ted,  Seamus and Granny went in search of the places where Little Lucie and Mrs Tiggy-winkle lived. In her book, The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-winkle, Beatrix Potter says that  Lucie lives in a farm called Little-town. Grannie, who lives close to the Lake District suggested a day out in Newlands Valley, because she knew that the book was set in Newlands and that Little-town nestled under the delightfully named Catbells mountain.

 Ted and Seamus in Newlands with Catbells in the distance

Ted, Seamus, Dad .... and the other member of the party, Snoop the dog

We found Little-town farm with no difficulty, and were trying to work out the angle from which Miss Potter had painted it, but fortunately, the farmer who owned it told us that she actually drew a farmhouse further down the valley. So off we went, down twisting single track roads, and sure enough we found the original.

Seamus and Ted in front of Skelgill Farm

Ted is holding up the book, open at the picture which is supposed to be Littletown. Apart from the colour on the doors, very little has changed

After seeing Littletown and Skelgill, we drove back up the valley, heading for the pass- Newlands Hause. All the farmers were gathering their sheep off the fells for clipping, and we were surrounded by a river of sheep.

Having driven through the sheep, we chugged further up the valley and spotted a waterfall in the distance.

Seamus was very excited and wanted to walk right up to it.

After spending a little time looking at the waterfall, which is at the top of the pass, we headed down towards Buttermere, and eventually home.

Ted spotted this odd looking tree, built into the wall. It looks like something out of The Lord of the Rings