Arley Hall and Cheshire Showground

After 45 mins queuing up to go into the antique fair at the Cheshire Showground in Tabley we decided it was all too stressful and crowded so we drove to the exit and went looking for Pickmere only to find another line of cars. Apparently the fields were so waterlogged they were collectiong money at the gate so thats why it took so long. Normally we have to wait 5 mins after we have park in a field with a tent. Anyhoo- we turned down some wiggly lanes and ended up at Arley Hall that Hazel has been before but I had not. A long walk from the car park to the house. Once there we discovered it was very expensive to go in £24 for both of us and £3 car parking fee. So we enjoyed our little walk looking at the old buildings and the pheasants wandering about and went to see Hazel's Mom and sister who needed a few jobs doing.

Marbury Woods

Lovely walk in Marbury woods this morning in the sunshine. Bluebells looking good - should be even better next week. Blossom was good too. Hazel full of the joys of Spring! Lots of mad dogs and englishmen out in the early morning sun! Went a bit snap happy with the camera!

Over The Park

Just back from a wander round the local park. Lovely and sunny with a slight breeze. Found a friend on my coat - an irredescent beetle who said hellow and flew off in the direction of the canal. On the way there Hazel helped a neighbour who is 90 shift a paving slab he was struggling with. She made short work of the corner - pulverising it to dust! She is an amazing woman. I love hard work. I could stand and watch it all day long! Roy seemed very good at providing encouraging remarks as she pounded the concrete with a small hammer ( a pick axe might have been better!) Eventually progress was made and she got a corner of it up and the slab had it's defences broached. Is that the right word? Anyway, to cut a long story short we said our cheerios and popped along to the Co-op to get cat food for Hazel's sister who insists on feeding all the waifs and strays of Lostock. A walk and waving to more neighbours taking their dog Sparky for a walk. On the way back we looked in to see how Roy was doing. He'd obviously gone in for his lunch but we could see he'd managed to prize (?) up two more paving slabs! Not bad for 90 and with dodgy legs!

Furey Woods

This mornings wanderings down the banks of the River Weaver passed the Furey Woods. A bit muddy so we didnt venture too far. Was windy but quite mild. Then some shopping around town. Found a copy of Portrait Of A Lady On Fire on DVD in a charity shop. Hazel bought some more material for quilts. Then to Lostock to sort Granma's bed out and empty bins etc. Home for plant burger on a bun smothered in burnt onions. Yum!

Nantwich

Nice morning in one of our favourite towns - Nantwich - a 35 minute drive away. Its market day so pretty busy and lots to see. Said hello to the toy man. He had no toys for us today - he was enjoying his lamb and mint sauce sandwich! We got a few bargains from the table top sale in the Civic Hall - a wooden corkscrew shaped like a guardsman which made me think of my dad who was a grenadier guard and guarded Windsor Castle and various other places. Hazel got some glass beads, wire baskets for the pantry and lots of material for yet more patchwork quilts I expect. Also found a copy of "Amadeus" on DVD for 50p that we had been looking for. Pretty sure we have a copy somewhere but couldn't find it the other day. Also DVD of Prizzi's Honour - a Jack Nicholson film that I don't remember watching. Popped in the deli to see the wonderful ephemera collection and old shop display by the coffee shop at the back. Nearby was a sign that said "Beware Of Trains" on a church wall! Home again via the hospice warehouse . Hazel got some threads, thimbles and weird sewing gadget in a small basket.

Community Orchard and River Dane

This mornings walk down to the River dane and the community orchard. A muddy walk round the pond to spy some frogspawn and one dead frog. Saw a heron fly off - up and over the trees to the river. The sun was out briefly and felt a lot milder than of late. Good to get out and breathe some fresh air. Lots of daisies and dandelions blooming - catkins and whatever those little yellow flowers are?

Griffiths Park

Took advantage of the brief spell of sunshine in between the showers to nip over to the park for a short walk and hide behind the daffodils and squelch through the mud. Then to the Co-op for some butter and tea bags we'd neglected to buy last week. Saw a rainbow in the distance. A huge gray cloud loomed nearby so we scurried home before getting too wet.