Global warming

3,000 blips

This is Rockcliffe, not far from Carlisle, and quite a significant place it is too. As this is the point where the River Eden, which for those of us who live in the Eden Valley plays such an important role in our lives, comes to the end of its long journey from its source in the high hills at Mallerstang. Here, the Eden meets the sea, as it flows out into the Solway Firth and it is quite wonderful to just sit here and think of that happening. Rockcliffe got its name from the red sandstone cliffs that tower over the river at this point - Old Norse for ‘red’ and Old English for ‘cliff’. It is not too easy to see the cliffs at this time of year, but it is possible to follow the little path through the flowers round to the river and be below the cliffs. There is other evidence of Norse settlement here with a cross fragment by the church. And one can see why this would be a good place for those sea-faring people. 

The sculptor of this Eden Benchmark was Anthony Turner. He has a fine body of work and I would recommend looking him up if you are interested. This one is a sculpture for sitting and an excellent seat it is too - for four people - although perhaps not during a time of social distancing. He called it Global Warming, which can be interpreted in many ways. I like to think that this is our planet and the sculpture highlights the need for us to cherish it and take care of it. There are other interpretations and that’s one of the reasons I like it. 

I did have a plan for today, but the weather did not play fair, it has been a dull, drizzly day with little light. However, this is an appropriate blip, because I blipped this Eden Benchmark during my first few months on Blipfoto, all those years ago, and it was at that time that I realised I could use my journal to record things of interest in the locality and find amazingly that there were people who were interested in such things too. So, after 3,000 blips, I am still recording things that interest me and I am still delighted that others share the interest. I love the little exchanges, the links made, which occur on a daily basis. To me this sharing is what makes our site unique and special. By looking and recording we are playing a part in valuing the world and all it has to offer, which encourages us to play our part in protecting it. So, best wishes to everyone and onward to number 3,001.