Monday, February 19, 2007




Two pictures today from a visit to Port Sunlight on saturday. Port Sunlight is a garden village which was founded in 1888 by William Hesketh Lever, a successful soap manufacturer, to house his soap factory workers. In line with his ideas on prosperity-sharing, the building maintenance and upkeep of the village was subsidised with a portion of the profits from Lever Brothers Limited. With his own money, Lever financed the church, technical institute and the Lady Lever Art Gallery. Lever took great pleasure in helping to plan this picturesque garden village and he employed nearly thirty different architects to create its unique style.

Phil and I celebrated our wedding at an evening reception at Hulme Hall in Port Sunlight. We always enjoy a visit here. The houses are lovely and all different. It's a great place to walk around and photograph.

There is also a beautiful art gallery, the Lady Lever, which has an excellent cafe!

I have had a busy day today although I seem to have spent lots of it on the phone talking to various people. I managed a long walk this morning, with lots of thinking time - something I always relish.

One song I kept listening to on my MP3 player was Bette Midler's "From a distance" - i find it really inspiring. This is my favourite verse....

From a distance you look like my friend,

even though we are at war.

From a distance I just cannot comprehend

what all this fighting is for.



From a distance there is harmony,

and it echoes through the land.

And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves,

it's the heart of every man.

6 comments:

Anna Ridley said...

I'm so glad you had a lovely day out - it looks like a beautiful place to visit.

From a Distance is a beautiful song with wonderful lyrics; I've loved it since the first time I heard it.

It made me think of my sister and niece in Montreal and how I miss them - but have got a new photo of Nevaeh in my blog courtesy of Michelle so I feel a bit less lonely now :)

{{{HUGS}}}
xox

Kaycee said...

Thanks for posting these lovely photos of Port Sunlight here. I always imagine the buildings in the UK to be like the photo at the top.
"From a Distance" has a lot of meaning, espcially in light of what is going on in the world today.

Pat said...

I so love Port Sunlight, CG. I've had some really good times there over the years.

So happy that you and P had a good time.

Loved reading the history of the town.

Lori Schmidt (LoriProPhoto) said...

I adore Bette Midler as an actress and singer so these lyrics are great. I love the light in England, when it is clear weather it is beautiful to take photos, these are great. I have looked back on the few shots I have missed while I have been out of action, love the one of the tulip.

Tell Sian that if you were closer I would gladly give you one of my horses to take care of, they love to be loved and like to be spoiled but they give back just as much.

Thanks for all your comments and support over the past few weeks, it means a lot to me. Take care

Lori.

RUTH said...

What beautiful buildings. We have never been to Port Sunlight; it looks lovely. Love that Bette Midler song too.

Anonymous said...

I own the house in Port Sunlight which you show on your Blog. It was built in 1895 and was known on the plans as Swiss Cottage. I put up a plaque with that name when I bought the property for my m other in 1985. My mother lived there until she died in November 2005. In her memory I re named the house Mary's Cottage. I now rent the property to a friend as i find it too upsetting to visit. However, as Bette Middler sang, From a distance there is harmony. My heart is still there and from a distance I still love the house as my mother did. Thank you for including it on the blog.
kevin@videopoint.tv