The Dream

It is visible from the M62 as I drive there to my mum's house. We have zoomed past it many times in the last seven months spending alternate weekends with her as she battled with cancer.
The mystery of the huge stutue is heightened because it is hidden, for the most part, by trees - perhaps the authorities thought it might cause regular motorway pile-ups if we could behold its splendour hurtling past at 70 mph. At first I would find this intensely irritating but, after a while, it only added to the allure and mystique of it all.

The Dream weighs 370 tonnes and was designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa. The site is on Sutton Manor colliery in St Helens, although it's been a long time since any coal was taken from the ground.

Three weekes ago mum went into a nursing home in Parr, not far from the site. I went to visit her alone as my wife Louise, who always usually accompanies me, was trapped working on the aftermath of the election. The Saturday visit had been difficult but I promised I would return that night with Chicken Chow mein - her favourite dish for several months.
On the way back I took a detour and went to look at the statue.

I walked up the long tree-lined path and eventually entered the clearing which revealed The Dream to full effect. Sitting looking up at the glowing 20 meter high head had the effect of making me feel like a character in a '60's psychadelic album track - trippy.

But, staring at the carefully sculptured blocks of Spanish stone felt good.

My mum passed away on Wednesday 12th May 2010. I may visit The Dream again to be with her.