Glasgow to Cumbria

After a good night's sleep I have breakfast at my favourite place, Martha's.  The music and wifi have gone down hill but the porridge is still lovely! 

http://www.mymarthas.co.uk/


My case amd I go shopping. I always need to buy something in Glasgow.
Last time I was here there was a heat wave and I needed something cooler, this time I am on M&S looking for  more sleeves
I always love Glasgow but this is just an overnighter.  I am happy to be on an almost perfect virgin train which arrives bang on time.

I take the local train to Barrow.  My first time in this area.  Morecambe Bay is vast and beautiful but I feel anxious about the   retreat and try to control my dhukka. (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dukkha)
It is overcast but warm.
The local train does not impress, shades of the Bedwyn run.  We pass Grange-over-Sands.  It looks rundown. The lido is shut and the tennis courts in tatters.  Back in the day my parents said it was posh. Across the Bay is the nuclear power station, which has a controversial history in my family and more widely.

At Ulverston Station, I have what I hope is a good omen!  I ask a lady where the bus stop is and before long I am friends with P who gives me lift.  She  has retired here, coming back to her roots after forty years.   P knows my destination well and sings its praises. 

And here I am with minimal signal and no wifi listening to birds and looking at a glorious view across the bay.
I am trying to focus and cast off my dhukka
Here are my delusions
I will miss my beer
Dinner is too early

That’s all!
On the plus I have a nice room, an en suite and power points.  And a lovely view of the front lawn and woods. I will adapt soon.  Its full on this evening, with a meditation and teaching. I talk to lovely people over dinner about worry, anger and rebirth, as well as everyday chit chat and background history.  Soon I am noticing lots of lovely bunnies in the grounds.

I take a nice walk to the shore with a new friend

So, this is Morecambe Bay.  Looks beautiful and peaceful.  But out there on the mud flats it's treacherous.  This is where the Chinese cockle pickers were left to fend for themselves and perished.  Exploitation of trafficked people.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-25914594

I love the evening's teaching and enjoy hot chocolate afterwards.  Just after eleven o’clock, I see darkness for the first time in over a week.