29th December - Limboland

These few days between Xmas and the New year are rather odd - you never know where you are or what the day is? I think its Tuesday but it feels like a Saturday. Archie and Meriel are still here and yesterday we enjoyed a game of Suspend that our friends in Wales sent us. Its a weird game where you take turns throwing a dice with colours on which allows you to pick a wire dooddad that you have to place carefully on the previously chosen wire doodads hanging precariously from a tripod thingy. Its a bit like that wood blocks game where you have to remove blocks without knocking down the tower. Sadly you soon run out of wire bits an you have to wobble the table to make the whole thing come crashing down!

Boxing Day

Blimey! Xmas is over and we need to do some serious walking to loose some of those calories gained over the festive period. Eating too much - as we do every year. Like most people do sadly. Nice to get out in the sunshine and walk along the Trent and Mersey canal path. Its a bit nippy and the ducks look thin and bedraggled. Sorry - no stake bread for you! Ended up at the park and then the Co-op to get a few bits we are running out of. Hoping there would be a sale on chestnuts like there was last year.20p a bag! No such luck. Home for lunch and playing with our Christmas toys. Collaging of course and the occasional cracked walnut and stollen slab!

Holmes Chapel

We dropped the kids off at Holmes Chapel railway station so they could get the train to Manchester Airport - on their journey to Dublin. They will be back for New Year which will be nice. We popped in to the nearby charity shop on the way home. A kind man lent me his reading glasses as I had stupidly left mine at home. I looked at the CD's and found a couple I lliked the look of. A Nina Simone and Blind Boys Of Alabama. Hazel got a couple of wooly jumpers. Then a quick walk round the Shakeley Mere. Lots of sausage dogs - they seem very poplular at the moment depiste their short legs! I hid behind some trees - part of a Fluxus performance for our friend Allen in the USA.

Archie and Meriel Visit

I'm sure I put these photos on yesterday but they seem to have vanished? Anyway - here they are again with some that Meriel Clarke took. Lovely to have both Meriel and Archie Leigh-Jones at home for a couple of days. Went for a walk down to the community orchard and the fishy ponds yesterday. A bit muddy and no swans and few ducks - they must have flown off for the festive season! I made a lasagne last night and then we watched Muppets Christmas Carol - one of Michael Caine's best performances.

Oh yes, showed Archie and Meriel the willow horse thats taking shape down by the Community Orchard. Took a few photos and Meriel took some too. It wasa bit nippy out so glad to get back in the warm.

Manchester

A nice day in Manchester despite the crowds and noise etc. Had a lovely lunch at Bundabust with Tone and Pene. They went off to look round the Chinese Quarter but we went to look at boots and records in the other parts of town - marvelling at the old buildings that haven't been bulldozed. Popped into FOPP which was disappointing. Quite expensive vinyl and DVD's. Then onto the Portico Library and nice exhibition of books and prints etc. by Stephen Emerson. Then a sit down in the Manchester Art Gallery which has some comfy sofas and videos to watch. Exhibitions rather dull sadly and not changed since last year! Later off to the print show at MMU where Hazel collected her box of prints she participated in.

Nantwich

Nice wander around Nantwich this morning despite the drizzle. Thankfully it stopped after 30 mins. or so. Got a few stocking fillers in the charity shops and market. Nver seen so many elves and santas around the place! A lovely festive vibe going on ith a brass band playing in the market. Lots of flags , bunting a fairy lights brightened the whole town up. Popped into the charity warehouse on the way home. Hazel found a jar for her candles that used to contain Uncle Joe's Mint Balls. Also more Xmas lights.

Trent and Mersey Canal

Walk down the canal path. Nice sunny morning. Lots to see. Very muddy so glad we wore our walking boots!

Community Orchard and Swans

This mornings walk to the River Dane and fishing ponds to feed the swans some frozen peas. They seemed to hoover them up like no business. A duck was telling a joke nearby - the Sid James of the duck world judging by that mad squawk! Nice and mild today. Felt too hot in my duffle coat and scarf. Nice to stretch our legs before going home to get on with stuff. Finishing off a small zine I started the other day.

Chester

Nice couple of days in Chester mainly to see the excellent Henry Normal at the Storyhouse theatre art complex. Hazel won free tickets with a collage she made on his FB group. We met him by accident before the gig in the eatery by the ticket office and library. Hazel gave him the collage and few other bits and bobs. She got a hug. Ordered a meal but forgot to ask about the "fish of the day" - turned out to be a whole fish complete with head and eye looking at me accusingly. Enought to turn anyone vegan! It was very boney too - not a great choice! Henry was good though - funny man. He showed slides of his life with poems and jokes. He wore his favourite orange cardy. The hotel was OK but strange noises in the night - banging and creakings! I didnt sleep well. Nice breakfast though. Walked round the Roman walls. Did some shopping - found a nice west African CD in the record shop. Hazel got some material and some dungerees for working in the garden. Got the train back on Saturday - must be a match on as hundreds of shouting singing footy fans came through the turnstiles. Blimey - what a racket! Thankfully not going to Manchester!

Knutsford

This mornings wanderings around sunny Knutsford. Sadly the Oxfam shop was closed for refurbishment but some other were open. Got a couple of DVD's inc. "Squid And The Whale" and French film "Villa Amalia". Hazel got a couple of things - a book and a badge that matched her coat. Walked to the gates of Tatton Park but it's closed on Mondays for some reason? Maybe the rutting deer need a welcome rest. A long weekend of rutting can take it out of you! Some mad drivers around - thankfully we got home in one piece.

42nd Anniversary

To celebrate we went to Frodsham to look round the charity shops and the antique emporiums. Didnt' find much. I got a couple of Japanese films on DVD. Hazel got some fabric and a jumper. Nice walk aroud Acton Bridge whilst waiting for the pub to open. Found this post box in the village. The Hazel Pear is very nice , quiet and friendly. Average pub grub.

Hazel's collaged card to me.

More Walks

Nice walk around the fishing ponds and community orchard this afternoon with our old chums Tone and Pene after lunch. I made a nut roast with all the trimmings and Hazel made an experimental apple turnover ( and whipped cream ) which was a great success. Quite mild out todays and felt overdressed in my duffle coat - phew! Home afterwards for chocolate dates and tea. Hazel made the choc dates ( with peanut butter and peanut topping ) which is a very healthy treat ( really yes, it really is!) . We watched the spider in the window spinning a web for Halloween. We like add on these extra entertainments for all our guests!

Walk To The Fishy Ponds

Yesterdays wanderings around the community orchard and the fishy ponds. One lone fisherman shooing off some inquisitive swans. "They are after my bait box!" Quite a rare thing - a fisherman - they usually go down to the river. Bright sunshine with ominous grey clouds in the distance. The rain held off thankfully. Nice to get out and stretch our legs. The willow horse has had a trim except for the antlers. Maybe it's a reindeer after all?