Wedding In Ireland -Archie and Meriel

Delighted to see Archie and Meriel married after 12 years together. Lovely few days in Dun Laoghaire near Dublin with 110 of the Irish side and just 3 of us! We took a few friends over to make up the numbers but only seven so a bit out numbered! Anyway, everybody was very lovely and kind and welcoming. We couldn't wish for a more beautiful daughter-in-law. We did cry a few tears in the church ( now a Maritime Museum) and seeing the big ex-lighthouse light revolve at the end of the ceremony was extra special and one we shall always remember. The weather was lovely too. Not as hot as the UK with sunshine and sea breezes. Copious food and drink. What fun time! Just a few random snaps of the last few days.

Birthday Boy

Lovely B'day so far with tons of cards and presents and morning wandering the byways of Frodsham with Hazel Jones. No bargains to be had sadly and all that B'day money burning a hole in my pocketses. Then off to the antique emporiums of Lady Heyes to see what vinyl they had. Not much by the looks of it. Nevermind. Then to Whitegate Way for a walk and alfresco lunch under a shady tree. We took some photos for Allen Bukoff who I share a b'day with - hiding behind trees, signs and a wooden spoon! We know how to have fun!

RIP - Trevor Counsell (1947 - 2026)

Trevor with Barry Wenden and me - art students in Manchester around 1968.

Playing pirates on the Shropshire Union Canal where he lived on a narrowboat for many years.

His adopted duck Basil ith a reputation for attacking TV presenters made the local papers in Staffordshire.

Trevor more recently with his old car.

Boot Sale At Blakemere

Managed to get to the boot sale at Blakemere before the drizzle started. Got a few things including a tin toy and tiny John Bull Printing Set. Hazel was delighted to find an iconic toy from her childhood she's always wanted - the Arnold Palmer Pro Shot Golf by Marx. I've never seen her so happy! Also got some plant pot thingies, propelling pencil, toffee tin with doggy on, Baylis and Harding bathing stuff and some plants. I sheltered under a tree for a while as the rain got quite heavy and I neglected to take a brolly. Doh!

Walk to Vickersway Park

Fresher weather thankfully this morning so ideal for a walk back from town after Hazel dropped off the car for its service and scrape. Hazel pushed me into the dodgy barbers for a quick trim as the barnet is looking a bit bedraggled just lately. Came out looking like a shawn sheep! Put my hat back on quickish! the to Vickersay Parp to see the budgies and take photos of hydrangeas etc.

Walk To River Dane

Nice sunny morning. Good to see the ducklings thriving. Also the heron on its nest or look-out post? No froglets but plenty of coots and ducks.

Llandundo Victorian Extravaganza Weekend

An interesting couple of days in Llandudno's "Victorian Extravaganza" as usual. Got a few bargains in the charity shops and markets. CD's of obscure Soweto artistes, comp. of old rockabilly, etc. A nice tattoo book of machines vintage photos, designs etc. that will probably emerge in my sketchbook soon. Hazel found an old "What Do You Know" game. The auto-jumble was rubbish this year - no bargains at all. We did enjoy the steam engines and various stalls of collectors of weird stuff though. Hazel was particularly delighted by the sewing ephemera and finding the Granny Pin. Some nice food including a tuna melt panini in the Bionical Babes cafe and the baked potato in the Mr Yum Yum cafe. Over cheesed it on Sunday with selection from M&S Food with crackers and chutney etc. Lovely Land Train ride up the Great Orme and around to the other side . Shame about the mist hiding most of the things the guide tried to explain were there somewhere!