This summer the magical Dukes Theatre came back to life in Williamson Park. This year’s walkabout open air production was Grimm Tales. Where they delighted audiences with tales of witches, wolves, fairies and frogs. 7 years ago, I took my niece and nephew to see Hansel and Gretel in the park. As we entered the woodland dell at sunset, they sat in wrapped awe. First fear & then delight during the “who goes in the oven” moment. Incredible to have have live theatre back making memories.
All of which reminded me of gingerbread, crumbs and paths to adventures. Lancashire & Westmorland has been leading me on tantalising trails all summer. From the famous Grasmere Gingerbread, the village William Wordsworth called “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”. To the discovery of Mrs Kirkham’s freshly baked homemade gingerbread & lemon drizzle cake. Mrs K’s talents in cheese also passes into bakes! In early August as the rain pounded down at the Garstang Show, I retreated to the food tent. Only to meet Graham who toasts and roasts gingerbread granola at The Cereal Box, Lancaster. August 2021 was a gigantic gingerbread marquee of honey & sugar delights.
The rain storms also drove me on another unexpected path. Back to the whispering aisles of a glorious classical library. The helpful librarians at Manchester Central Library found me a Pendle sized hill of books about witches, ghosts and highwaymen. Taking a break from the internet, I settled in, turning real pages in quiet bliss. Reading fairy tales and legends of ancient Lancashire, along the roads less travelled.
The sun has returned this week, my paths are leading to September, October & Halloween. The taste of summer for me was gingerbread & biscoff ice cream. Onwards following the bread crumbs, maybe finding a witch or hobbit along the way. Certainly discovering more tastes in the Forest of Bowland and the wild expanse of Morecambe Bay. Enjoy the unexpected journeys and never let the rain stop you having an adventure.
