Friday 12 July 2013

Ken Loach film, Tubular Fells map and Prosthetics from Lego ...


Tube maps and Lego are taking me on yet another ‘journey’ ... I set off to see an exhibition in Oxford this week (more anon – that is a serious subject!) ... and lo and behold in the free rag that comes out for train travellers was an article on Lego ...
Oxford Botanical Garden - one of
their greenhouses with the golden
stone building .. 


... then when I was letting my eyes roam the Botanical Gardens sheltering from the wonderful beating sun in the shadows of a tall Oxford golden-stone wall ...


... a lady, who with her sister (aged 70 or so), had just walked the five hundred miles along ‘El Camino de Santiago’ – the Pilgrim’s Way of St James – from the Basque country in the Pyrenees across ‘the top of Spain’, sat down next to me to idly survey the Gardens ... and we got chatting, as one does! ...


... when, as she was seeing her grandson, I wondered if she knew about the Lego tube maps which are up in some of the Underground stations, see this post ...


The long wall .. 
... she then asked if I’d seen the Tubular Fells map of the Lake District – of course, I hadn’t ........but I’m not about to let a gem for a post like that  be forgotten about .


It’s extraordinary how one aspect is mentioned and before too long a new mental link comes to light ...


 We used to holiday in the Lake District for the first ten years of my life ... before my mother’s first husband’s family moved south (he had died in the War) ... we had such fun times up there ...


... so the Lakes resonate with me and that part of the world is just so beautiful ... the title of this map is one of our times “Tubular Fells” ...


c/o Tubular Fells website
The blurb on the website reads “Inspired by nearly 20 years of London life, linked with his own love of the fells, Peter Burgess geographer and teacher, has now created a topological map of Alfred Wainwright’s 214 fells, akin to the London Underground map devised by engineering draughtsman, Harry Beck in 1931”.


Alfred Wainwright’s books remain among the most popular for their depth, detail and unique style (see my post for moreinformation on guide books). 




Wainwright’s division of the Lake District into seven areas and choice of fells to include ... gave the cartographer,Peter Burgess, the inspiration for his Tubular Fells map ...


A snippet from the Snowmotion map -
note the Lake, the Ridge, and cottage
included along the Snowmotion lines
Having manipulated a topological map to emulate the characteristics of a transport map featuring the Lakeland’s fells ... both Peter Burgess and Harry Beck (the Underground map) have created iconic cartographic and graphic art ...


Tubular Fells has inspired a new topological concept based on the Munros  – all 283 of Scotland’s 3,000’ peaks ... this time creating a quasi-surreal rail network ... “MunrOverground”.




Then there’s ‘Snowmotion’ ... featuring Snowdonia, but including the eight narrow gauge steam railways ... note the ‘Os’ as railway wheels – so creatively clever – then including them in the Logo ...


"For those who enjoy the big hills" ...
map of MunrOverland

The three maps can be seen on the TubularFells website, plus information on the creative spirit behind their production, along with two brief videos – well worth watching ... especially for all train lovers amongst you (or your children, or partners!) ...


Well time to catch the train back for a film ... “The Spirit of ‘45” ...


The film, which is well worth catching if you have not yet seen it, is Ken Loach's highly acclaimed feature length documentary The Spirit of '45.   This very personal film looks mainly at Britain just after the war and it is undoubtedly the work of a committed socialist.  

The Chairman of our Film Society feels that it is a highly accomplished piece of filmmaking which features both old footage and specially filmed interviews, which are splendidly balanced, while the quality of the old images is such that if displayed in an art gallery they would be regarded as an outstanding portrait of an era.   


The film relates mainly to Britain, but there are references to Europe and particularly America ... as well as other overseas territories ... I found it a fascinating documentary film and hope to see it again.

Keswick town and Derwent Water - the Skiddaw massif
in the background, taken from Walla Crag

Essentially it covers the pre WWII years to the present day – but details the post war politics of trying to get the country back on its feet ... so there’s a little back history reference to WWI and brief comments of the effects the British people have on their history ... tying it all in to the film’s title: “The Spirit of ‘45”


Looks a little like the London
Underground tube map
I’d highly recommend this film with its historical reminders of life in the 20th century ... before the technological age took hold – yet including references to the politics of today.


Quoted from Wikipedia’s page: Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian acknowledged that the film could be seen as “patrician-nostalgist” but said he was “swept along by the calm simplicity of its presentation” --- while The Daily Telegraph described it as a “stirring film” that was probably Loach’s best since 2002.  I’d concur.


It’s play time and thought time ... more Lego!  On my trip to Oxford an article appeared about an artificial leg being made out of Lego ... Christina, aged 31, an American occupational therapist, who through a freak accident lost one of her legs, has made a video about her creation ...


Christina Stevens making her prosthetic leg
She was determined to turn the tragedy into a positive experience ... and set about working on the Lego attachment after a joke suggestion from a work colleague.


Now her Lego leg is an internet hit on YouTube after she filmed herself fashioning the limb out of the toy blocks.


As she says ... being an amputee will make me a better therapist ... I know what it’s like to have limited mobility ... and everyone I work with as an occupational therapist will relate to me, and know that I understand them and their plight.



 The article includes links to other videos on how to walk on a prosthetic leg, the frustration of phantom limb pain and the thrill of getting an amputee tattoo.


Also bloggerDavid Powers King has just posted about Lego films being made by Warner ... so David’s informative article just adds to the mix on Lego and Warner/Disney for that matter ....

 
The Amazon set -
"Harry Potter Page to Screen"
Going back to my last two posts about Harry Potter I had meant to note the package (at the pricey cost of over four hundred pounds – which is not the relevant part – on Amazon) ... of  "Harry Potter Page to Screen: The Complete Film Making Journey” ... of the Harry Potter films  ... if anyone is interested in looking: I imagine it would make a fascinating read.


Well I really think I’ve cracked Lego ... creatively inspired myself thinking about logos, journeys of life, via Tubular Fells, MunrOverground and Snowmotion maps ... and reminded myself that I’d like to watch Ken Loach’s film “The Spirit of ‘45” again ...


... let alone aspects of positivity over tribulation ... the weekend looks like it is going to be a scorcher ... and we have a family barn dance party under canvas – an ideal weekend with friends here ...

Tubular Fells map YouTube promotion ... it's lovely! 

It looks like the Tubular Fells links aren't working at the moment (they are now!)..but this Amazon one does ... as does the blog one (but the World Map she refers to does not) ... I'll check back and adjust this note as necessary - adjusted!:

Amazon Tubular Fells Maps for sale - go here ...  
Ordnance Survey Blog - has a post on the Tubular Fells maps


Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

52 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

A Lego leg - now that I have to go watch.
Sounds like that lady in the gardens really sent you down memory lane.

Janie Junebug said...

The Hurricane and I once visited a Lego store in Chicago. They had an entire person made of Legos sitting on a bench outside the store. Hurricane sat next to him and pretended she was going to put her hand on his knee. They also had a dinosaur made of Legos, and she pretended her hand was stuck in his mouth. Both made excellent photos.

Love,
Janie

Julie Flanders said...

Oh my gosh, the Lego leg is amazing.

I've always wanted to visit the Lakes District because it's been the setting for several books I've read. Loved reading this post.

Enjoy the weekend in spite of the heat!

D.G. Hudson said...

Another interesting post, Hilary. That LEGO leg is something else, and creative thinking at its best.

You're always doing something interesting.

Jo said...

I'm afraid I didn't understand exactly what you mean by Tubular Fells or Snowmotion.

At, what used to be called, Disney Village in Florida, they have lots of Lego models, life sized people, airplanes, babies in prams (baby buggies) serpents in the water etc. etc. but not a prosthetic, marvellous idea but I wonder how well it will work.

Tina said...

Yummy post. Must go watch video of Lego leg. We have so many Legos around here, we could probably build a whole person.
How neat that you ended up sitting next to someone who just completed such an amazing accomplishment! You live an interesting life my dear friend!
Tina @ Life is Good

A Lady's Life said...

Wow I like the lego leg idea

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Alex - it's a good video - 2 hours condensed into 5+ minutes ...

I had two conversations - both lovely ladies ... but yes - the Lakes does bring back many memories .. while the nudge towards the Tubular Fells map was so interesting ..

@ Janie - I don't think I've ever been in a Lego store .. though I'm sure Hamleys stocked Lego way back when ... how lovely to have those photos of the Hurricane and her Legoman, or Legodinosaur ... they'll make excellent memorabilia ..

@ Julie - Christina is inspiring in her approach to her accident ...

I hope you can get to the Lake District sometime ... and see those places for yourself ..

Thank you re the weekend .. I hope it'll be a really good time ..

@ DG - yes the Lego leg totally bemused me, while Christina's story is inspiring - she's being very pragmatic about her life ...

I try to make life interesting .. even via the blog! Which when my mother was alive .. I hardly left Eastbourne ..

@ Jo - sorry that you couldn't grasp the story of the maps. I'm glad you got to see the Disney village with its Lego models ...

@ Tina - yes, with boys I can imagine your floors will be covered with Lego pieces .. it'll look like Christina's floor ...

Both the ladies were such fun to talk to ... I am lucky to be able to spread my wings now .. and I enjoy meeting people ..

@ A Lady's Life - good to see you .. isn't Lego leg stimulating!

Cheers to you all and thanks for coming by .. Hilary

Old Kitty said...

Maps!! I love how the Tube map's inspired other maps or vice versa - but whatever - what a design classic - neat and to the point and above all comprehensible to people like me who are useless at map reading! I tell my mum over and over again - you may never ever get lost in the Underground - not with Beck's map!

What a wonderful lady to get talking to!! I wish I could be so bold - I tend to walk around in a world of my own which is a shame as look at the fab people one meets by chance!

Why on earth have I not seen Loach's documentary!??! :-(

Lego continues to amaze!

Have a great weekend Hilary! take care
x

Vallypee said...

I love the tubular fells map. It reminds me of some of the canal maps. I think they might be inspired by the same idea. And the lego leg is brilliant! What an inspiration that girl is. Finally, your two elderly walkers who told you about the map in the first place. what about them? Wow!

Inger said...

The LEGO leg is brilliant, talk about getting a lemon of a situation and making it into lemonade. I don't know if you have that saying in the UK, but that's what that woman did.

For the Tubular Fells Maps, all I can say is that's why I love you British folks, I don't think this would happen anywhere else. I couldn't get on that web site, it didn't work, but the pictures you shared are enough for me to get the idea.

klahanie said...

Hi Hilary,

You cover a lot of bases here. I had to reread your title. I started thinking of the theme music from "The Exorcist", as in "Tubular Bells".

The musing of the Lake District is also a reminder than many a renowned writer was inspired by the sheer beauty of that area.

You have brought back reminders of my time at Snowdonia and the joy of my little boy.

And Christina, determination in making what can be perceived as something negative into something positive. Inspiring.

Thank you for this and I shall, time permitting, check out your various links.

A happy, sunny weekend to you, Hilary.

Gary

Manzanita said...

Minneapolis, Mn is home to Mall of America. It used to be the largest one but maybe by now there is a bigger one. They had a whole floor that was lego town. It was totally fascinating. You can make anything with legos. Interesting post. That barn dance sounds like a good time to me.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Old Kitty - what a great comment .. be brave and give chatting to one or two likely looking interested parties ... I tend to keep to myself - but sometimes open up. Amazing people out there .. like bloggers!

Don't follow the Fells maps as you'd get lost .. but they give the idea and tell us all kinds of other interesting aspects about the Lake District, Snowdonia or the Munro 'hills' ...

Ken Loach's film was released in March this year .. perhaps it's in an art cinema in London - we had a special viewing down here .. and I hope we get another chance to view it.

Lego does amaze at the creativity it creates .. I hadn't realised all the specialised shops and Malls are around ..

You have a great hot weekend - looks like a scorcher for us here in the SE.

@ Val - it seems there are lots of these sorts of maps around .. which I hadn't realised .. still I'm glad I've found them. I expect the canal one would be fascinating too - with lots of information appended.

Christina seems to have adjusted to her situation pretty quickly - and is definitely turning it to a positive.

The ladies were very interesting both visiting grandsons ... and full of life for the great outdoors.

@ Inger - we do use that saying or similar .. about turning lemons into lemonade - and Christina has certainly done that ..

It seems there are similar maps around - shows you how much I've been out of circulation!

I've put links across to the Amazon site and to the Ordnance Survey blog post on them ... I'll update the links as soon as they come live again ..

Thanks so much for letting me know the links don't work at the moment ..

@ Gary - yes I do I'm afraid - had to put it all in ...

I immediately thought of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells ... I haven't seen The Exorcist .. but now I know - and have just checked out a bit more info at Wiki ..

I can imagine you have the same feelings re Snowdonia and your little lad (not so little now) - wonderful part of the world ..

Christina - is inspiring isn't she ..

You'll see my note about the links .. and I hope you enjoy what you get across to check out ..

It looks like it'll be a very hot sweaty weekend - now we have sun .. we can complain!! So far glorious down here - with a sea breeze = lucky us!

@ Manzanita - a whole floor dedicated to Lego - oh well .. shows you I'm behind the curve! But amazing what can be created using Lego .. and I'm sure it must have been amazing to wander round and see the different creations ..

It's going to be a fun weekend .. barn dances - would suit you .. dancing and the barns!

Cheers to you all and thanks for visiting - have lovely weekends - Hilary

Julia Hones said...

What a marvelous post, Hilary! I feel as though I've just returned from a trip where I saw lots of interesting things.
I'd love to watch that documentary.
You mentioned or showed many places: The Oxford Botanical Garden, El Camino de Santiago, the lake district.
I would love to visit all of them.
Lakes resonate with me too, by the way.
The occupational therapist is amazing.
Thank you for sharing. Enjoy your weekend.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Wow Christina Stevens is so inspirational isn't she?? I love her story.

I think Oxford is one of the places In most want to visit when I go to Europe someday. I want to tour the university!

Christine Rains said...

What an inspirational story about Christina. I admire people like her so much. I'm always astounded by all the grand things people have made with Lego.

Susan Scheid said...

What a fun and inspiring post this is, from top to bottom. The wonderful girl and her lego leg, what spirit! And I'll be on the lookout for the Loach film. Looks great!

Denise Covey said...

I would have loved to have talked to that lady who has completed the pilgrim walk through northern Spain. One of my vague ambitions...The lady with the lego leg is very unique. As always, Hilary, thanks for a great informative post.

Denise

dolorah said...

That was a lot of meandering :) There's Lego everything now; who knew the toys would be such a success.

Thanks for the cartographic tour Hilary. Hope your weekend plans were a success.

......dhole

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Julia - many thanks and I'm delighted you enjoyed the tour .. large area we covered! I love the Lake District .. the north of Spain I really don't know .. while Oxford always draws me ..

The film is well worth seeing .. hope you're having a great weekend.

@ Keith - so pleased Christina and her Lego leg is inspiring all ..

Oxford you will love .. there are a lot of Colleges! But the day I went it was glorious ...

@ Christine - the Lego Lady I guess must have been inspirational .. as she was changing car brakes when the accident happened!

@ Susan - thanks - so pleased you've enjoyed the read and will keep an eye open for the Loach film .. it is interesting to say the least.

@ Denise - it was a long walk I gather .. they took 40 days to do it .. so not bad. Lots of ups and downs ... then she fell near the end and fractured her arm!

Didn't the lego leg lady have a unique approach to life ..

@ Donna - I do meander .. sorry! And there is Lego everything now - everything started in life no-one knows how it's going to turn out .. I guess the Lego story could teach us a thing or two ..

Glad you enjoyed the cartography - I loved finding out about it!

It's being a fun, hot weekend! Cheers to you all ... Hilary

Dianne K. Salerni said...

I didn't get the Tubular Fells either, but I looked up the definition of fells (Upland pasture, highland plateau) and I think I get it now. It's a clever and artistic form of topological map, but not meant to actually designate trails, correct? They just hang on your wall as decoration and conversation starter. ;)

Jo said...

I understood the Fells part, but not the Tubular Fells, like you I looked it all up.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Dianne .. sorry that the definition didn't 'sink' in - there was a description but it was quite long - however I should obviously have included it.

I'm not sure exactly what the maps would be used for .. conversation starters is a good description. Though when one sees a map - for those interested there will be lots of depth to them .. ie more detail than expected, and more informative than one might expect ... yet as you say not for rolling up and taking with you as you walk the Fells or Lake District - you would get very muddled.

It is a very clever adaption of the style of the tube maps ... overlaid onto the topography of the Lake District .. with its peaks and fells, crags, tors, tarns .. trails etc

@ Jo - thanks for letting Dianne and I know ..

Cheers to you all - still lovely and hot here .. Hilary

Francene Stanley said...

You've shared some remarkable information here, Hilary. The map is amazing, as is the way they young girl turned a negative into a positive. I'm enjoying the heat.

Diana Wilder said...

On a Monday morning, in the middle of a heat wave, I find myself smiling at the creativity and resilience of people, raise my eyebrows at their imagination, and gaze at a photo of a beautiful landscape while haering in the background a smiing, humorous voice sharing the wonder of things. Well done, Hilary!

Diana at About Myself By Myself

Southpaw said...

Those maps sound pretty cool! And the lego leg is so inspiring and pretty amazing too.

Bish Denham said...

It's amazing what has been built out of Legos. I think the physical therapist has the right idea/attitude.

Am I getting the puns right? Tubular Fells/Tubular Bells and Snowmotion/Slowmotion?

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Francene .. lucky you enjoying the heat; I just love what they've done with the maps of the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Munros ... while that film is very interesting ..

Isn't the Lego leg amazing and her attitude is as you say just right ..

@ Diana - I know I smiled broadly when I saw the newspaper article .. you've described the process so well - especially my humorous vocal chords sharing the wonders of many things .. delighted you enjoyed the post - thank you!

@ Holly - I knew you'd like the maps with their typography, let alone topography!

Lego leg too - Christine does inspire doesn't she ..

@ Bish - I hadn't realised what had been built from Lego - but they did build a house here .. and I agree Christine has the right attitude and idea ...

You are getting the puns right ... plus there's more ..

Tubular Fells - ie done like the London Underground tube maps, but of the Lake District and its fells, crags, peaks etc ...

Tubular Bells rang for me too - then Gary mentioned The Exorcist .. but I haven't seen that film - however Mike Oldfield's composition was used for the film too ...

Snowmotion .. is Snowdonia - but probably the narrow guage railways run slowly ... while the motion refers to railways and motion ...

MunrOverland .. is like a railway system rather than an Underground map - featuring the Munros - all the 'hills/mountains' over 3,000' - the tube style map is produced in a similar format ..

Hope this make sense ... cheers Hilary

Lynn said...

Sounds like a wonderful time! I would love to take a train like that. And what spirit Christina has - I love love love the Lego attachment she made for her leg. Thank you so much for sharing that.

~Sia McKye~ said...

What a fascinating post, Hilary. I'd like to see Spirit of '45. I'll have to look for it. I love history anyway. :-)

Tubular Fell maps boggle the mind.

How did the barn dance go? Those are fun and filled with lots of laughter and good times.

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

Sherry Ellis said...

Good for Christina for fashioning a Lego leg! I bet she will be a wonderful occupational therapist!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Lynn - the train is too hot right now! But just imagining the Tubular Fells map brings to mind wonderful scenery and ideas - I've always loved Geography.

Isn't that Lego leg extraordinary .. a good 5 minute watch on Youtube ..

@ Sia - I know you'll enjoy the Spirit of '45 - such a good film ... very British, but even so - tells us so much about life in the 20th century here in Britain ...

The Lake District, Snowdonia and the Munros (as they're known) - make wonderful cartographical viewing .. I love them!

The barn dance and weekend were just glorious .. so lovely having a family party with all ages around ... the whole weekend was very successful ...

@ Sherry - she must be a very good mechanic too - if she was changing brakes, when her accident happened .. but you can see her attitude to life will make her a great OT ... lucky patients ...

Cheers to you - still wonderful weather here .. Hilary

Theresa Milstein said...

This post is so interesting. I think the Lego leg is amazing. It was one of my son's favorite toys when he was younger, and it's amazing how many ways the toys are used.

cleemckenzie said...

Where to start commenting! I've noted the documentary because I love to see anything that reflects that era.

As to the Lego Leg. . .Amazing and inspirational.

I love to know how films come from books, but at that price, I think I'll pass on this.

Chatty Crone said...

I watched all 6 minutes of the gal making the lego leg. Was that a positive gal or what???

sandie

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Theresa - so pleased you enjoyed the post - especially the Lego leg part and Lego's uses ..

@ Lee - yes I'd quite like to see how the film came about, but for a look at 400+ pounds seems a little excessive ..

Glad you're interested in the Ken Loach documentary .. it makes interesting viewing ..

The Lego leg passes many bounds ..

@ Sandie - the YouTube video was amazing ... seeing her rattle and roll and she made her Lego leg ..

Thanks so much .. still hot here - I'm enjoying it! Hilary

Anonymous said...

I love that Tubular fells. Isn't that BRILLIANT! The Lego leg is impressive too. I must check out the video Fab post Hilary :O)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That video is amazing. She actually got the Lego leg to work.

Unknown said...

What a smart girl. And how determined she must be to decide to make a leg out of leg-o.

Jannie Funster said...

I saw that Lego legged lady not 3 days ago on the "Succeed" blog dot tumbler.com!!

I loved Wales the one time I was lucky enough to find myself in the misty midst.

Wow, amazing those 2 ladies walked that route!

Tubular Fells, rhymes with Tubular Bells, one of the most interestingly haunting of all instruments I think!

I'm eating cherry pie and treating myself also to some blog visits to my favorite bloggers in the whole universe.

xoxooxoxoxoxo

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Madeleine .. perhaps he'll do Dartmoor next?! I love the thought of the Tubular Fells map .. fun aren't they .. her Lego leg video is great ... so pleased you enjoyed it!

@ Diane - I know the Lego leg finished is unbelievable .. and such creativity .. is amazing isn't it ..

@ Clarissa - the concept and the idea were amazing .. but she was used to engineering obviously ...

@ Jannie - Christina's story must be widely circulating .. it's very inspiring. I don't do Tumblr (yet!) ..

You'd have had a chance to get across into Wales from Gloucestershire .. it is so beautiful there ..

Yes - I really admired the lady I met, her sister was resting I think!

Isn't the name clever ... I knew you'd love the concept of music with the Fells ...

So lucky Cherry Pie - how delicious ... it's too hot for pie here - we're into fruits or ices! and smoothies ... Lovely to see you here again ..

Cheers to you - so glad you all love the idea of the Tubular Fells 'tube map' ... Hilary

Juliet said...

The lego leg - how very creative. Good for her. You've certainly shown many facets of lego that I never knew about, and then you've led on to inventive maps of all kinds. All very fascinating, thank you Hilary.

Stephen Tremp said...

I like hearing stories like Christines. Very inspiring!

Love the Harry Potter series. The HP to Screen reading would be fun. Just wish I had the time for it.

CMSmith said...

I watched the video. I really have to move "trip to the UK" up higher on my list.

We don't have anything like your train, is it called the Fells?, here in Cincinnati. Although we are working on getting a trolley in the downtown area over the next couple of years.

Such a different life style. Fascinating.

nutschell said...

that lego leg is just awesome. Love this post, Hilary!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Michelle Wallace said...

Hi Hilary!
I hope you had a great Barn Dance Party... did the partygoers perform a line dance? (I normally equate a barn dance with line dancing...)
The Lego story is simply amazing! It highlights both the strength and creativity of the human spirit...
Looking at the Underground Map brought back memories of when I was on holiday in London, many many years ago. I still have a tea tray cloth of the London Underground, though it has faded after countless washes.
Writer In Transit

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Juliet - well you and me both - I had forgotten how much Lego has inspired so many .. but Christine's leg is just amazing ..

I've loved maps .. especially using them to navigate around England .. so having Tubular Fells is just wonderful to see ..

@ Stephen - delight you enjoyed seeing Christine's story .. and then Harry Potter .. it is the money for the Page to Screen package that slightly surprised me .. but it'd be very interesting ..

@ Christine - the video clips are fun .. the promotional ones for the maps, or the Lego leg ..

The Fells map is just a representation of the Lake District area using the London Underground distinctive format .. the cartographer called it 'Tubular Fells' - each 'Fell' (high and barren landscape feature ... such as moor-covered hills or (low) mountain range, as those found in the Lake District) ...

There are trains, small railways, which run within these areas - eg Snowdonia in Wales and across Scotland ....

but the names 'Snowmotion' ... and 'MunrOverland' in Scotland ... are representative "maps" ...

I hope this somewhat clarifies it - but the website perhaps is easier to understand, and the cartographer, Peter, does draw attention to the fact these are just stylisations ...

However a visit to see the UK is well worth while thinking about - hope we see you ..

@ Nutschell - I can imagine you being totally absorbed with the Lego leg ..

@ Michelle - thank you the family party was a happy affair ... and they did do some barn dance line dancing ... and yes, there were dances had within those lines too ...

The Lego story is amazing isn't it .. yes the party girl got a new London Underground tea towel and tray .. in the 1933 Harry Beck design - somewhat out of date, and shortly will be like yours slightly faded after numerous washes!

Cheers and so lovely to see you .. still very hot here .. Hilary

Diane said...

Interesting post, I used to love Lego but have not even seen a set of it in years. Hope the party was a good one.
have a good weekend and take care Diane

Deniz Bevan said...

What an awesomely full post, Hilary!
That Lego leg is amazing.
I'd love to see that film! And Tubular Fells - what a great idea!
I've had Wainwrights books on my long-term wishlist for some time now...
Oh, and the St James Way - I think about it sometimes, wondering if I could ever attempt it. I read about a family with three young kids who travelled its entire length on horseback!

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Yet an other fabulous blog post.

Hilary I hope every thing is fine with you. I have been busy with helping a loved one and then my own health issues. Hopefully I will be back and read the posts as they come. The Lego leg is amazing!
They made a store with a lot of Lego ideas in West Chester county mall. They call it the Lego land. May be we will visit the mall sometimes once we get a break from this heat. I miss the mild weather of England sometimes, nice breeze by the sea shores in Cornwall were very soothing.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

@ Diane - I think it's interesting that Lego is used for so much .. and I'm sure therapeutically too ..

The weekend was fun - thank you .. now we're almost at another .. and it's still sunny ..

@ Deniz - thanks so much .. lots to mention and you've covered it all .. I haven't seen a Wainwright book - but I have some of the Ward and Lock Guides, which I posted about in January 2011.

It's wonderful that people get inspired to do things .. and I imagine being on their horseback would have made it slightly easier ... the thought of walking that far, or sitting on a horse for that long is not for me!! Those sisters were intrepid hikers ...

@ Munir - thanks so much .. everything is fine here - I'm tackling new projects ... and know that you spend a lot of time helping others .. but I hope your own health issues are easing. Take care.

Lego stores and Lego lands are around .. we have them here too ...

We have hot weather here .. it's in the late 80s - 90s ... thankfully being by the English Channel we get a lovely breeze - I miss Cornwall too.

Cheers to you all - still gorgeous here ... Hilary