Walks to Wincham

 Hazel had to have her car checked out for electrickery bugs as it wouldnt lock the other day and one of the windows seemed stuck.  The nearest place was Wincham about 2 miles away near Witton Albion football ground.  Luckily the Trent & Mersey canal runs from Wincham to close by our house so we took the opportunity to walk back along the towpath after dropping off the car.  It rained a bit at first but soon brightened up and got quite hot . Delighted to see groups of ducklings and signets on the way - also a couple of herons hiding in the rushes. The only grey spot being the TATA chemical works that is a blot on the landscape in between but once passed that it's beautiful open fields and woodland either side until you get to Wincham which has an industrial estate that can be seen (and heard!) from the canal bank.  Later on in the day we got the call to get the car back (nothing wrong after all - window could be unlocked by magic button Hazel had clicked by mistake - doh!)  and so we walked back along the canal and saw more ducklings ( probably the same ones ) and dragonflies, moorhens etc.  Phew!  Haven't walked so far in ages!

Daily Doodles

 

Carey Park

 Pleasant walk round Carey Park this morning. Avoided lots of dog walkers.  Down the conk conk path to the post office in Middlewich Road to post a packet to Italy and buy a bunch of second class stamps.  Cost an arm and a leg.  The original "conk conk path" was in Pitsea and ran behind Pitsea school and a quick leafy way to get to the school, the market and the cinema back in the 50's and early 60's.  Later it got built over with the expanding housing estates. before it was a great place for exploring old bungalows and orchards left empty - scrumping, building dens etc.  One gravel road that crossed it seemed covered in bottle tops - thousands of them it seemed at the time.  There was also a little shop that was handy for sweets - penny chews- chalky cigarettes - dib dabs - bubble gum etc.

Whitegate Way

 Interesting fun filled day over at Whitegate Way. Bumped into one of Hazel's train buddies (when she used to travel by train that is) and had a nice chat. Then coffee and tuna sandwich at the Station House Cafe ( Hazel had a toasted tea cake ). I left a little coffee in the bottom of my cup and foolishly put Hazel's cup on top and she put the folded paper plates and serviettes inside that and pushed them down like a plunger - a jet of luke warm coffee spurted out quite alarmingly and made a lovely mess of our table! Dripped through onto my white cotten trousers - yuk! Looks like I've wet myself! O how we larfed. Then to the Hospice warehouse in Winsford to buy the bathroom cabinet that Hazel had her eye on. Also pruchased some tapestry wool and small frames. I got a bound book of 1950's National Geographics for collaging purposes.

Birthday Walk

 Nice pile of cards and even letters to open this morning.  Afterwards we went to the Co-op for the usual Sunday "Chicken Run" but without the chicken!   I walked round the park.  Later we trotted over to Lostock to see Granma and Audrey and exchange cake - sat outside in the chilly June wind and had a brief chat before walking to the bypass and back again to stretch our legs.  Brrrr! Feels more like October!  I forgot to mention it was also Father's Day so got a clever playing card "upside down" two for the price of one card that's a birthday card one way and a father's day card the other way up! 

Carey Park Walk

 Nice walk around Carey Park this morning after doing a little early shopping to avoid crowds in B&M and Quick Save.  Got some cheap headphones for Hazel to wrap up for my birthday tomorrow.  Looked in QS for present ideas but mostly cheap junk so didn't bother.  Two narrow boats were side by side on the River Weaver. One man was shouting over to the other boat. It sounded like he was saying "I'll swap this dirty yellow bandage for your wife!"  I'm sure that can't be right!

Marbury for Picnic

 This mornings walk and picnic in Marbury woods/park with old chums Tone and Pene Eve. Also went to the garden centre nearby.  Surrounded by delinquent baby squirrels whilst eating our sandwiches.  Then over to Hazel's Mom and Sisters to say hello and wave from safety of front garden

Plague Of Frogs!

 Early morning walk to the fishing ponds and River Dane Community Orchard and amazed to find ourselves walking amongst hundreds of tiny froglets as we went round the largest of the ponds!   Blimey was difficult not to step on them!   Ugh!  Some were no bigger than a thumb nail. Hazel picked one up and it sat quite happily on her hand.  We had to tippy-toe around for fear of squashing them - squelch!  We have never seen so many at once.  I imagine the heron and other birds will enjoy a feast.

More Marsden

 Another little break in Yorkshire so soon after the other one. More help for our old friend Dave.  We managed a little walk one evening  which was nice.  More old mill buildings and strange totem pole like rocks that were not from Easter Island but beams from a nearby factory - Trenter Posts?  Even a blue plaque on the wall to explain them. I am still none the wiser - maybe wider after huge all day breakfast from Katies Kitchen - delicious food but a bit shambolic. Nice uneventful drive to Glosspot for M&S  wee stop and a few bits from the deli counter.

Marsden - West Yorkshire

 A couple of night break from our usual routine. Popped over to Yorkshire to see our old chum Dave. Managed to take advantage of the local walking - discovering paths we'd not ventured down before - old mills crumbling away, delightful riverside gardens, waterfalls, weirs, rhodedendron forest etc. Lovely sunny weather - a bit too hot at times!  A fish and chip supper from the local chippy.  Snacks from Lidl on the way there via Glossop - our usual stopping off point.  Hazel hates the motorway so we go the scenic route - watching out for kamikazi sheep and dodgy drivers!

Daily Doodles

 

Neumann's Flashes

 This mornings walk to Neumann's Flashes and Carey Park after a shoppig trip to the B&M store in town. Very sunny but cooler than yesterday, 4th June 2021.