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.

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.

Walk Behind The Local Tip

Nice sunny morning for a wander into town and post some mail. Then to the old salt workings turned into a nature reserve behind the tip. Great to have some warm sun. Phw! I had to take one of my vests off! Lots of vapour trails - planes zig zagging all over the place. Making drawings in the sky. Ducks and geese in the background. Quack honk quACJK qurk!

Chester

Pleasant wander around the Roman walls and shops of Chester this morning which started off very misty but the sun came out eventually and now quite warm. Traffic a bit mad down the a556. Didn't find much in the way of bargains - just a DVD of "Out Of Blue" by "visionary director Carol Morley" ( who?) Anyway - its got Toby Jones in it so that's good enough for me. Hazel got some Tamarind sauce, fresh ginger, and garlic bulbs from the Chinese shop. Had an al-fresco lunch of cheapo vege sausage rolls by the Cathedral. We know how to live! Tried going in a couple of cafe's for a drink but the first had no idea that de-caff coffee existed and the second was where you dab at a screen that dozens of other grubby fingers have dabbed at in order to to order! Daft I calls it! So we came home for a cuppa and biscuit.

Knutsford

Nice wander round Knutsford this morning to see the crocus's and daffs in the churchyard and mooch around the charity shops. Got a few CD's including Fats Wallers Best Of, Ry Cooder's best of and a Vince Taylor comp. Hazel bought some postcards and cookery book. Then to Audrey's to hand over a CD jewel case she wanted for some project or other - a quick chat and home for lunch.

Nantwich

Nice wander around the quaint town of Nantwich this morning. Bought some quirky items from various shops and the table top sale in the thingy hall. Some mad drivers on the road - hair raising trip home! Got back unscathed thankfully.

Frodsham

This mornings wanderings around Frodsham Castle Park and then Lady Heyes antique emporiums. Didnt find much - just two DVD's in the Oxfam shop. Nice sunny day - good to get out after all that rain!

Chester

We usually go to Chester in December every year to see the festive decorations and do some Xmas shopping. Not many bargains this year alas. It was a bit drizzly to start with but soon brightened up thankfully. Nice busking from a young man who had a lovely voice - light opera etc. Apparently he sings with the John Boys Choir from Wales who won second place in a recent Britains Got Talent. Other buskers included a rastafarian bongo player and a man absailing down the cathedral walls after scraping moss from an ancient gargoyle! We sat mesmerised as we ate our al fresco vege sausage roll nearby. Most of the charity shops seemed to have closed which was a shame and the new market is a bit too pricey. We preferred the down at heel old market with its book and records stalls. Popped into the Grosvenor Museum but nothing really worth seeing at the momemnt - an exhibition of Roman wigs and headgear!

Nantwich

Going to Nantwich is always fun and sometimes we find bargains in the many charity shops , antique fairs and the market. Today was no exception - a nice old postcard of Southend Pier (which I probably have already) for a quid in the antique fair ( £1.50 to get in) . Hazel bought a few things - most of which are secret. We parted company to do our seperate wanderings around the shops. I found a DVD of "Klute" with Donald Sutherland which I remember vaguely being good back in the day. Only £1.99 from the Oxfam shop. They do seem to have better quality films and books than most of the other charity shops. Hoping the framing man in the market would have some tin toys but most of the nice ones he was keeping for himself! This has become a bit of a running joke now - every time we go we pick something out and he says "Er, no I'm keeping that one!" He makes most of his money from framing which is just as well! Popped into the Works for some blank cards and envelopes which will be transformed miraculously into this years Xmas cards. Home via the hospice shop near Winsford. Nothing for me but Hazel bought a book to cut up for collages.

Chester

Nice wander around Chester before meeting up with Linda Merriman who got the bus all the way from deepest Wales with her free bus pass! It took 4 and half hours via Wrexham. Phew! Looked round the Ryan Gander curated "Chester Contemporary" but only could find three artworks craftily hidden around the town.. (This one in the shop window used by Roman soidiers!)We did some shopping earlier- got some herbs and spices and more cake, pastries etc. Linda had bought some too - home made soda bread, flapjacks, honey, apple jelly etc. We won't starve this weekend thats for sure! We may even add an extra few pounds. Linda is getting the house tour and now sitting in the summer house having a chat with Hazel. I'm off to make a nut roast.

September Comes Around Again!

Very warm and muggy today. Traffic chaos due to sinkhole on the bypass - a colapsed drain. All the big lorries going via Lostock which makes life difficult if you are travelling thet way. And we did today. Went to town first to drop off some stuff at the charity shop - old records and DVD's. Hazel went off to do some shopping and I went round the charity shops to collect more CD's and toys to fill up the spaces left - not that there is much space! Still, it's for charity. They win either way. Then to Lostock to help Audrey with some flowerpopts that needed a claen and have a chat to Granma who is very deaf so looked baffled at me waffling on most of the time. Phew it's hot!

Chester

Nice wander around Chester this morning. Shopping for spices and pulses etc. Also found some scratchy vinyl in a charity shop. David Lindley and X-Ray-O and weird Yorkshire group who sing a song about the Marsden Cuckoo! Topped up the free postcard rack at our exhibition (extended to 26th June) and had a cheap vege sausage roll for an alfresco lunch - living it large!

Nantwich

Nice wander around Nantwich this morning in the sunshine. A bit of a nippy start so wore my furry hat that dogs don't like. None took offence today thankfully. The road was open all the way - not detours. Last time we went we had to got the long way round which added 20 minutes to our journey. We went our seperate ways - Hazel prefers to shop alone as my rooting through shelves of CD's and DVD's is very irksome! She prefers clothes shops so I dont mind. She discovered the table top sale in the big hall which I missed ( went back later to find these cornish piskies ). Got tow DVd's - Escape From Alcatraz and the remake of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I enjoyed the Swedish trilogy but someone said this remake was good too - we shall see. Hazel got a few things - glue, paper, squares of fabric for a quilt. Had a chat to the toy man in the market. He had no new stuff though and said he mostly sells online now to Chinese and Austrian buyers. Went home around 11am via the Hospice shop/warehouse at Winsford. Hazel bought a cheap pilates book. Not much collage material sadly this time. That lucky pisky duo isn't working!

Nantwich

Nice morning in Nantwich shopping and having a wander. This photo was from a couple of years ago. The market is still thriving and full of interesting stalls. Got some Xmas presents and vegetables . Round the charity shops and few bargains like the 3 DVD's for a quid - Lord Of The Flies, Changeling and Road To Perdition. It was a bit crowded but most people were wearing masks in all the shops we went into. Home for lunch via the St. Luke's furniture warehouse which also has a book CD and record selection. Hazel bought some multi-coloured cotton.

Air Gallery - Altrincham

Braved the trains to go to Altrincham and the excellent Air Gallery to see latest "Macabre" themed exhibition. Archie's girlfriend Meriel had a piece of work in it. Had cheap lunch in the cafe and studio tour. Did some shopping in town after lunch. Some new paper lampshades - several charity shop DVD's. Nice sunny day - the town was pretty busy . Thankfully the train home was long so plenty of room to get away from non mask wearers.