Remembering Barry

Dear old chum Barry Wenden shuffled off this mortal coil a year ago or so. Can't quite believe he is gone. We lost touch over the last few years - life getting in the way as it does. Here we are with another old chum Trevor out in the wilds of Cheshire (funny how things go round in a big circle?) back in 1968 0r '69 maybe - three hairy art students in the green sward. This colourised photo popped up recently on my FB page. Incredible String Beans or are we the Pixie Ruralists? Anyway, it seems a hell of a long time ago now looking back through green coloured glasses. Here's a nice email that Barry sent me before he got poorly remembering our lunchtime trips to Shude Hill book market in Manchester when we were spotty art students. Halycon days!......................."Many thanks for this - all wonderful stuff!! Just as I remember it. It was great to escape the art school (well the staff) and venture up at lunchtime - really enjoyed it. Bet we missed out on some rare first additions that all those book dealers were scavenging and rummaging for? We were looking for Rupert, Chicks Own, Rainbow and Toby Twirl!! Seem to recall a lorry turning up once and up-ending its content of books on the pavement. Did I also get my deck there - probably? We were like two peas in a pod but I only have a faint memory of timidly going back and complaining. Although for the life of me I can't think why? What on earth did I use for an amplifier? Did I plug the deck into my radio and run that off into some of my 1930's sun-ray speakers? That's a rhetorical question as I'm sure my memory is as fuzzy as yours? It'll all come back to me when I'm in my wheelchair. I seem to recall saving up (I think Mum helped) to buy a Prinz (rubbish) Amplifier from Dixons but I think that may well have been later, when I bought my Denon Speakers and made the plywood boxes for them - goodness they're still here beside me in this loft studio! The things we did!"......................

Trent and Mersey Canal

This mornings drizzly walk to the canal and round to the by pass. Fed some ducks with some stale bread but a couple of paddle boarders frightened them all off. The rest went into the hedgerows for the birds and voles. 25th March 2023.

Walk To River Weaver

This mornings wanderings down the muddy track next to the River Weaver near Hartford. It wasa bit drizzly but we ventured on through the elements. Then to Blakemere to sort through some old postcards. Found one of Southend pier. 23rd March 2023.

Mother's Day

Nice walk to the fishing ponds and the River Dane to start off our day. I had orders from Archie to get some tete a tetes for his Mom for Mothering Sunday. he sent the aI card . He will phone later for a chat so that will be nice. All Mum's enjoy a good chat! A very dull day otherwise with the weather particularly - cloudy and with a threat of rain. Hazel has gone to sort out her drawers she bought yeserday at the antique fair. They are in the workshop now and just the job she says.

Antique Fair

Nice wander round the big antique fair on the Cheshire Showground this morning. A bit muddy but the sun came out for a while. Hazel got a few weird objects - a tiny silver brush thing, a metal domino shag container, and a cabinet to put her notebooks in. We shared a portion of very nice chips for lunch sat on a grassy knoll ( or was it a hummock?) . I didnt find anything but enjoyed watching Hazel's face light up as she spied something curious.

Griffiths Park

This mornings muddy wander around the local park - looking at buds, bugs and blossom. 12th March 2023.

River Dane Walk

This mornings walk to the community orchard and the River Dane. Saw a heron briefly as it flew from the rushes. Hazel fed a moorhen some stale bread. The ducks weren't that bothered. 4*C Cloudy. 5th March 2023.

Marbury Picnic

Nice afternoon wander around Marbury Woods and along the lake edge. The sun tried to emerge from the clouds and it wasa bit nippy but still great to catch up with the Eves and have a picnic under the drafty canopy in the picnic area. Also went round the garden centre to get a few early bedding plants. Then home for tea and posh chocolates. It was fun trying to guess the flavours. Wasabi? Bath salts? Earl grey?