Fishy Ponds

Nice wander around the fishy ponds and the comunity garden this morning. A man was mowing the grass around the largest pond and doing a good job. With gave him a thumbs up over the noise of the mower. He smiled. Ducks were doing a barn dance - dozy dowing to and frowing. A large fish splash sploshed nearby - a giant stickleback? A pike? It wasa hefty kipper for sure! Sat on the soggy bench and watched the apples grinning back at us. One was very scary - suitable for All Hallows Eve!

Manchester - Northern Quarter

Nice wander around the Northern Quarter of Manchester this morning and lovely lunch with Archie and Meriel in an Italian pizza place. Took some presents and cards for Archie who is 34 in a couple of days. How time flies! Got the 2:07 train back from Piccadilly.

Nantwich

Sunny day for a drive to Nantwich to the market and shops. Toy man showed us a tin plate miniature railway - like two caterpillars the trains circle round the terminus. A key winds it up. Nice box with it but we have a similar one. He says he doesn't sell much these days. Saving them all for retirement. A few bargains in the charity shops including a DVD of a French/Italian film The Sucker ( we watched it in the evening - it was awful!) . Hazel got a nice Sea Salt coat she was pleased with. Also a shirt and some crafty bits. Went in the friendly Cheese Shop for some goats cheese and Welsh Brie. Back home via the St. Lukes warehouse to see what they had. A spindle of CD-R's are always useful. Hazel got some Norwegian ribbon and something else - I forget what? Home for a cheese toastie.

Knutsford

This mornings wanderings around Knutsford charity shops and indoor market. I forgot my camera so Hazel kindly took all these. A few bargains including some "world music" CD's and some postcards to collage. Also some cheap Pritt stick which is always useful. Hazel got some card , postcards, Pritt stick, fabric, chutney and stickers. Popped round to see Audrey who was having a nap. She woke up enough to have a chat and then it was time for lunch.

Blakemere Boot and Uke Marathon

Boot was the last of the year. A bit drizzly so only 3 quarters full field. Dint get much just a spindle of CD-R's which are always useful for mix tapes etc. Hazel didi well with lots of plants, mint, pansies etc. Also two toffee tins and a silk scarf. Plus a mid century wood magazine rack. She thought Archie might like it. Then off the town to see the Ukulele chaps and chappesses doing their thing - tryig to beat a 36 hour record Uke Jam. They did it we later heard. Great stuff!

Sing A Song In The Morning

Just flopped on the doormat was this lovely CD from Facebook friend William , a musician who was also involved in the Miniatures 2 collaboration and the Pink Floyd homage of last year ( or was it the year before?) Anyway, always nice to be asked to come up withcollages that might fit the brief. The packaging as in the other projects is really top notch - includes a 24 page booklet that has a few of my collages in it along with a lovely ipad drawing by Big Al Davies who I have worked with before on some of his album artwork. These networks of musicians, poets and artists are always fun - a labour of love for the most part. When I look back at some of the mail art / audio art projects from the past I can see there is connections going back to the 80's. I could list them all here but I have just woken up and need some tea and toast! Needless to say you can puchase the Kevin Ayers homage from William at his online store/page which I shall find a link for and put it in the comments when I find it. Or just Gooble it.Its on the 62nd Gramaphone label.

Frodsham

Nice sunny day out to Frodsham and Lady Heyes antiques and record emporiums with Hazel Jones and her sister Audrey. Got some vinyl including two by Van Morrison from a charity shop. Also Los Lobos and Jesse Winchester albums from the cheap bins at Lady Heyes. Excellent fish and chips and half a bitter in the pub near the railway station. Supposed to be a light lunch! I'm stuffed! Hazel took this photo of me on my throne by the antique barns. Looks like cheese and crackers for dinner.