Shropshire - Staffordshire

Nice day in Shropshire and Staffordshire - looking at shops in Whitchurch and then a wiggly drive down narrow country lanes to the Anchor pub by the canal where we met up with old chum Trevor and his girlfriend Carol. Lulu the terrier came along too. Nice selection of old vehicles - nice chats and sandwiches. Very hot and sunny most of the day. Nice to get back to our lovely cool house.

Father's Day

Nice collaged card from Archie. Also a couple of films I'd not seen. he phoned in afternoon for a chat which was nice.

Walked to the local fishing ponds to see the ducklings and feed the swans with some sweet corn. Hazel took her snippers to trim off some of the brambles that threaten to trip us up on the way!

Looking For Froglets

Tone and Pene came over for an indoor picnic yesterday. We did intend to go to Marbury and have an outdoor picnic but the weather took a turn for the worse and so we decided to stay indoors. They brought sandwiches and we had toasted sandwiches in the air fryer which worked quite well considering it was the first time we tried it. Tone and Pene might get one too now after tasting the results! Also had a few nibbles and salad etc. Went for a walk afterwards as the weather brightened up. Looked for the froglets again on decided we didn't want to squash any as they were so hard to see in the long grass and gravel paths of the fishy pond and community orchard area. We had fun spotting them but not able to see the ducklings or baby coots or swans.

Walk To The Bramble Bees

This mornings walk along to the community orchard and the fishy ponds. Tiny frogs underfoot so we didnt get far! Scared of squashing the little blighters! So the swans didn't get any sweet corn and we didnt see the ducklings or the baby coots. We sat in the orchard and watched the clouds flexing their muscles. Some strong ones full of rain in the distance. Hazel chopped back some of the offending brambles. Bees buzzed in the blossoms. The wonders of nature!

Chester (Print Fair)

This mornings wanderings around Chester - the charity shops and the Cathedral to see the print fair. Hazel bought me a T-shirt from an ex-student of hers who had a stall there. A girl making rubber stamp prints was busy giving away free do-it yourself postcards ( print a beetle ). Hazel swapped a zine with her she happened to have in her notebook. Met up with Beth Barlow for a coffee in a nice place by the ornate clock that used to be a antique shop. I walked to the record shop near the station and found to African CD's by Youssou N'dour and someone else I can't remember. The town cryer was shouting a lot by the old cross and gathered quite a crowd.

IT was Ishmael Lo - I remember now. £3 each - not bad really. The vinyl was quite expensive in comparison.

Walk To Local Park (Buttercups)

Nice walk around the pak this morning - in the sunshine and full of buttercups.

River Weaver - Steam Boats

Two steam boats chugged by as we sat on a bench waiting for nature to surprise us. We expected a family of swans or a coot but not this!

Bluebells - Marbury

More wanderings in the woods at Marbury to see the last knockings of the gorgeous bluebells, wild garlic, the greenery! The birds are twitterpated! Nearly gone but still looking delightful. So good for one's soul. Nature heals.

Marsden - Cuckoo Day

A lovely weekend in West Yorkshire to see the Cuckoo Fest/ and delights of Marsden. Also the excellent Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Took tons of photos - just a few at random here.

Swans - River Dane

Ester Sunday. Nice sunny wander down to the River Dane and Community Garden etc. Swan was happy to each the sweet corn Hazel took along. He wanted more and chased us down the path! We managed to escape and walked round to the cornfield which had been partially ploughed. Home again for lunch.

Marbury Bluebells

Nice mroning in the sunshine and cloudy bits over at Marbury to see the display of bluebells in the woods. Always a Spring treat.

Tattenhall

Nice sunny day for a trip out to Tattenhall and environs to see Beth and Simon. Drove to the antique place but no bargains. The cafe there seemed a bit chilly and uninviting so Beth suggested the Poffee place behind the post office in Burmurdsley? Lovely tea garden at back with glorious views of the Cheshire countryside. Deliciuos toasted brie on ciabatta with roasted vine toms that spit juice everywhere when you peirced them with a fork! Also wandered around the village to see the little church and graveyard. Back down the scary Corkscrew Lane - luckliy a tractor was in front and cleared the way for us.