Stockport - Plaza and Hat Museum

Nice afternoon in Stockport yesterday at the wonderful Hat museum and the equally wonderful Plaza art deco cinema and cafe. We met up with Alex Woodall and had a good wander round the museum taking lots of snaps and trying on lots of hats. Fascinating videos of the ancient hat making process - those workers in Victorian times really had a hard life and health and safety was non existent! Had lunch in the excellent Plaza cafe - Cheshire cheese rarebit was rather tasty with a side salad. Hazel has a baked spud with at least a tin of tuna poured over it! All run my volunteers. Lovely senior citizen in snazzy suit and tie showed us the cinema which was terrific. Must go back and see a film and hear the organist play ( at start and during interval ) . Shame it is so far from us else we would be in there every week!

Anglesey

Nice few days in Angelsey via Llandudno. Stayed in very nice B&B in Treaddur Bay near Holyhead. Amazing views from our bay window of the rugged rocks and crashing waves. Stopped off at Llandudno first for a late breakfast in our favourite cafe. A quick walk round the shops and down the pier to play the slot machines. Walk along the prom to the car and then an hour's drive to our B&B. Treaddur Bay has excellent sand - Archie would have enjoyed the rock pools for catching crabs etc. when he was a nipper. I don't know why we haven't been to Angelsey before really - a beautiful part of the country and reminds us of Cornwall but without the crowds of holidaymakers. Went to new restaurant called the Sea Shanty which was like a small museum full of nautical stuff - boats hanging from the rafters, pulleys, old slot machines, buoys, fishing nets, jars of starfish etc. Delicious pizza for me and Hazel had the mussels. The next day we headed for Holyhead to scour the shops and walk down to the docks to see the ferries being loaded and arriving from Dublin. Next to Amlwch , a small fishing boat filled harbour with some nice cliff walks. The Copper Museum was a bit dull but we went in it anyway. The sun came out and we sat by the jetty watching people fish and looking very precarious on the edge. We had to leave as they looked like they would fall in any minute, especially the kids running round like maniacs! Then further along the coast to Bull Bay and then a small turn off lead to Cameas Bay which was a quaint little village with some interesting shops. Hazel bought a tin turtle clockwork toy in one. Tempted by the clockwork mouse on a track but it was a bit pricey. Hada ice cream and sat watching some daft dogs bounding about on the beach. In the evening we had fish and chips in another pub restaurant a bit further on round the bay. Walked back over the sand to sit on rocks and tickle limpets as the sun set. The next day we drove to Aberffraw which was supposed to have a Heritage Centre but it was closed. "open 1-5 most days" It was a tiny village with just one shop and few pastel painted cottages, a chapel and a stoney bridge which they obviously had high regard for as it featured on the postcard you could buy in the village shop ( the only shop) for 40p. Then on to the Model Village which had closed "due to retirement" and so further towards the Menai Straights - stopped briefly at Llanfairgwlletcetc. the longest place name in the UK - took photos in the station and avoided all the tourists who arrived by the coachload to by Welsh Cakes and jumpers in the Pringle shop in the station car park. Then to the Big National Trust house Plas Newydd where you could spot red squirrels if you were lucky ( none to be seen ) and walk around the beautiful and tourist clogged gardens for £8 each. Amazing views of the two bridges and other delights like the wooden leg of Earl Trumpington (just the postcard ) and roll down the hill if you are a frantic five year old looking for excitement.

Birthday and 4th Anniversary

Good to have our boy home for a couple of days to celebrate his mother's and aunties birthdays. Audrey's was first and Hazel had made a huge chocolate cake which we started eating on Tuesday and still today ( Friday) there is some left - which must be some kind of record! After Hazel opened her presents we went for a walk in Marbury Country Park where Archie found a big stick to play with. Throwing sticks into the muddy swamp is always great fun and mine won by sticking in upright - spludge! Then we picked up Hazel's sister for a drive over to Anderton and a pub lunch at the nearby watering hole . Nice fish and chips and heaps of mushy peas. Too full to have a pudding. Needed another walk afterwards to get rid of all those calories! Also our 4th wedding anniversary so plenty to celebrate.

Brighton

Nice couple of days in Brighton to see our boy and eat lots of interesting food. We went down mainly to take some suitcases ( one inside the other - Russian doll style ) and helped Archie move some stuff back to our place as he is leaving Brighton soon and he's off to India with his girlfriend. The trains were a bit rubbish as usual, especially Southern Rail which has cut back it's services despite more and more people wanting to travel to all those seaside destinations and places like East Croydon ( eh?) and the Airwick at Gatport. The weather wasn't as bad as we imagined so didn't really need the raincosts and boots until the Tuesday afternoon when the heaven's opened. Went round lots of antique shops and flea markets. Didnt buy much but Hazel got a clockwork crocodile in it's original box which was the bargain of the day. Went for fish and chips and Mexican meal which was interesting though a bit stodgey for my taste. A cheeky seagull swooped down as I at part of a slice of pizza for lunch sitting outside and snatched it from my trembling hand! Luckily I'd had a big breakfast at the B&B we stayed in so didn't really miss the rest of it. Strolled along the pier and watched people sticking their heads through a "I Won A Minion" cut out ( stick your head through) photo opp. doo dah. Amusing to watch. Also the overheard conversations on nearby seats. The B&B was very comfortable and done up like Liberace's bathroom - all chrome and glass art deco! The only annoying thing was the fire alarm went off by mistake on out last morning at 6.30 and made us jump out of bed for no reason. It made Hazel very nervy and she had a migraine for the rest of the day. The photobooth pic. was taken in Snooper's Paradise indoor junk and collectables shop.

Liverpool

We went to Liverpool by train on Saturday to march in the Support Jeremy Corbyn rally and look around the galleries. It was a day of sunshine and showers so we took our coats and brolly. First to the Walker to see our favourite exhibit - the loophonium. Had a look round the Pre-Raphaelites and modern galleries - mostly stuff we'd seen before. Then went looking for this illusive rally. It wasn't where we thought it was so had a wander about the streets listening out for chanting and clapping. Eventually found it quite by chance as we'd almost given up looking behind the Bluecoat gallery. Quite a decent crowd considering the weather - nearly 2,000 it was said. Inaudible tannoy/megaphone which was annoying but we clapped along and booed in the appropriate places - we assumed the one's at the front could hear and we got our signals from them. Eventually after having a hasty sandwich on the hoof we walked and chanted to the main drag and stopped outside Primark for more speakers to murmur in the distance. "Tories OUT - Corbyn IN!" was a favourite, as was "Corbyn, Corbyn, Corbyn, CORBYN!" Amused to see a nun with a Corbyn mask on the back of her head. She gave Hazel a nice smile and was overheard to say the austerity marches were rather poorly attended compared to this. We drifted away from the main rally to sit down on a bench nearby and eat our remaining sandwich and crisps. Then into the Bluecoat as the rally broke up to grab a quick coffee before more Corbyn fans came in and joined the queue. We felt good we had supported him and hopefully his fellow Labout MP's who have deserted him will see sense and get their act together. Then to the craft shop where Hazel chose some earrings for her upcoming birthday present. They were rather like small acorn cups made of silver with a gold leaf interior. The other galleries including the Blucoat were getting ready for the Biennale at the end of the month so not much on. We went back to the station and luckily a train was just about to leave. Home by 3pm.

Squirrel Cake

Busy day doing some shopping and finding things to do. A cheeky squirrel came into the garden - a regular visitor to attack our bird feeders and fat balls. He froze for a while looking over next doors - maybe a cat? Anyway, he nibbled some seeds and knocked the fat ball holder to the ground and then scampered off only to return some minutes later with glint in his little beady eye. Two fat pigeons frightened him off eventually. In town I did the usual charity shop and market rounds. Didn't find anything. Bought some Twinings tea and a washing line to hoist up bags of stuff into the newly boarded attic. Hazel is afraid to go up there. She thinks Tim Peak is up here still but just heard he has arrived down again and being wheeled about in a barrow until his legs get stronger. We popped into Sainsburys for some delicious Mozerella burgers and ice cream ( not on the same plate ) and then to B&Q and Argos for a new kettle and white paint for the summer house ceiling. Hazel made a yummy looking birthday cake for me this afternoon with dark chocolate, cream and strawberries. Yum! Taking it over to Granma's tomorrow as Monday will be too busy on the roads around Lostock due to the Cheshire Show. She let me lick the bowl out.

Congleton

Nice afternoon in Congleton with old chums Tone and Pene. After we dropped Archie off at the station with drove there and picked some work up from the Electric Picture House Gallery. Hazel parked by the butchers with the man who paints his hair on with creosote or maybe boot polish? That's what we were told anyway. Difficult to see through the rows of sausages and chicken legs. We met the Eves at the antique emporium and had a good rummage and later some lunch in the small cafe at the top of the building - once an old mill. Nice food although the waiter/cook seemed a bit dozy not knowing if the soup contained vegetable or chicken stock. "It's just soup". Hazel bought a few gadgets for her collection including a plastic decimal currancy calculator and a typewriter rubber with attached moustache ( brush). I didn't find any bargains but it was fun looking. Then off round the charity shops. Later Pene went to her swimming class at the nearby baths and we had a tea and a toasted tea cake in the cafe again.

More from Manchester

Stickers from a machine in a supermarket in Chinatown. Facade of old building left standing. The old fire station thats empty and needs refurbishment before it rots away like so many old buildings in Manchester city centre.

Boot Sales & Blubells

Forgot to mention our weekly trek to the boot sales- the first in Whitegate which was pretty busy. Got some CD's including 2 by the Go Betweens. 2 DVD's including the Great Beauty. Also a large deep frame which will be useful. Hazel got a car load of plants for herself and her Mom and sister. Afterwards we drove to Antrobus and mostly indoor sale. Bob sold Hazel a police whistle and a tiny address holder thingy. The a walk in the woods again as we had some time to kill before Audrey and Hazel's Mom got up ( they have a completely different time scale to most people!) . Marbury was full of people with dogs for some reason. Nice to see the bluebells again ( the ones above are in our back garden ). Did some gardening at Granma's - putting in the plants Hazel had bought. So a free afternoon catching up with iPlayer and playing games. Did manage to have tea in the summer house when the neighbours calmed down a bit.

Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza

Nice weeeknd in Llandudno to the annual May Bank Holiday Victorian feast for the senses! Tons to see and do including the traction engines, old buses to ride to the vintage vehicle fair on, art gallery, war museum, the pier, slot machines, lovely food and a big pebbly beach to name but a few. The B&B we usually stay in had been taken over by a new proprietor but thankfully he and his wife were very nice and the breakfasts were up to our high standards! Shame the weather was slightly rainy and cold but Saturday was a lovely sunny day so we got sun burn and had fish and chips on the prom looking out for dive bombing sea gulls! The auto jumble wasn't quite so good as previous years but Hazel did get a couple of bargains including a weird wall papper cutter in it's box and a Noddy and Big Ears toffee tin. Hada ride in an old charabanc to the far side of Llandudno to see the white rabbit statue and the foot hils of Snowdonia in the background.

ATC's & A Walk

I expect you all know what ATC's (Artists Trading Cards ) are so I won't bother to mention them again only to say that a new batch is hot off the press ( as we say in ATC land ) and dropping off the end of the conveyor belt as we speak. Nice walk to Marbury this morning as it was such a lovely sunny day. Surprised just how many twitchers, dog walkers and tree huggers there were down there on a Wednesday - thankfully the blubell wood was very quiet except for the remarkable bird song and a slight breeze and distant hum of a mower ( maybe a plane?) . Sat for ages on a mossy bench and took some photos whilst Hazel scribbled about the joys of Spring in her notebook. Hard to capture the wood in all it's glory in mere pencil but she a had a go anyway! The herd of cows we quite fiendly today and snuffled up to the barb wire fence risking serious eye injury, blowing hot cow breath over us. They were caked in dried mud and obviously had a fun time rolling about in a sticky patch recently. sEVERAL DOGS SAID "hELLO" IN DOGGY language. One twitcher who was focused on a nearby tree said he was looking out for a spotted woodpecker. We told him we'd heard one in the wood but couldnt locate it. It souned like it was three or four feet away!

Whitegate Way and Boot

Nice boot sale this morning - the first of the season at Whitegate. Quite a few there despite the freezing temperatures - sunny though. Got a big comp. folder of old 60's "World Of Wonder" mags to cut up. Some 20p scissors and a Minecraft game. Hazel got a load of plants , a poker someone had made, heavy black beads and a thing for holding chop or rib bones ( not really sure ?) . Then a nice 30 minutes walk at the nearby Whitegate way and coffee in the old station house cafe. We resisted the tempting home made cakes.

Artworks Studio & Gallery

Popped into the new Artworks studios and gallery on the Leicester roundabout on the way into town this afternoon. A lovely light space full of busy creative people. Carolyn showed me round and introduced me to a couple of artists busy on their little corners -still moving in and getting settled but it's like they've always been there. Carolyn showed me the plans of the new roundabout which will be larger than the old one and a rather baffling design with car parks in the middle island which also contains the betting shop. Anyway, I took a few snaps and went on my way - into town for some shopping and rummage in the charity shops. No real bargains except for a handy Ikea photo frame still in its polythene wrappings. Quite warm out. I wonder how Hazel is getting on at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park? She's gone with a student group from Interactive Arts to see the Bill Viola etc.

Chester

Nice day out in Chester, mainly to collect work from the Northgate Studio Gallery. Always time to wander round the cobbled streets and pop in a few charity shops, the market, Poundshop etc. Hazel went off on her own to frequent the clothes and shoe shops. I didn't find much , just a DVD in the pound shop of a strange Brit comedy with that sad eyed chap from the Detectorists. His name escapes me for the moment. Anyway, we watched it in the evening and it was OK but nothing special. I think it was called Three To One? Mackenzie Crook - that's the feller. We met up for lunch- al fresco style by the Chester Male Voice choir collecting for daffodil day - they were wearing bright yellow daffodil hats! Actually they had just finished and Hazel collared one to say how much she enjoyed it. I can take it or leave it myself. I enjoyed the yellow hats though! Quite a few buskers about including a boy playing a trumpet and a string quartet. After lunch we collected my work and had a chat to Jane who runs the Northgate gallery. She said there may be another open exhibition in the Summer. Not sure if I will bother exhibiting again though as they had no luck selling my work and it's a bit of a traipse from Northwich. We shall see. Home again via the antique emporoim at Blakemere. Hazel bought some old tin badges including some nice Joe 90 ones from the 60's Gerry Anderson TV series.

Alsager

Busy day out starting at indoor boot at Middlewich - Hazel got some mirrors and some other bits and bobs. I found Blu Ray of Gravity for a quid. Then to Aldi in Sandbach to stock up on bits we are running out of and gifts for Tony and Pene who we were going to next for lunch. On to Alsager for a nice lunch and chat - walk to Asda to get some spuds with Tony. Hazel stayed to talk to Pene. Nice pudding - almond cake, raspberries and ice cream. Waddled around the Salt Line nature path to try and loose some of the weight just aquired! Played a silly game of dice under a coloured cup? More cake and tea. Home before it got dark and we turned into pumpkins.

February 5th

Sunny today and a trifle cold. But instead of trifle I made some mince pies with the left over jar of mince I found at the back of the fridge. It had solidified a bit but tasted fine. The large triffid like plant has just flowered - an enomous bloom that has taken over most of the kitchen . If it grows anymore we shall have to move it into the garden . It'll probably walk there of it's own accord! The strange photo inside a mirror was a Hazel purchase from this weeks indoor boot at the Memorial Court. He seems to be reading an old I-Spy book? Secret code book is my guess.

Jan/February

So here we are in February already just catching up again here in blogland. January was fairly quiet with much wind and rain as is today infact - terrible storm Imogene following on from storm George and storm Harriet or whatever it was. Someone remarked on FB that storms just seem to get more fierce and frequent since they started naming them and I think it's true! Anonymous storms seem easier to handle somehow and tend to blend into one another. So today we are celebrating 100 years of Dada with many collagings about Hannha Hoch, Schwitters, Ernst and others.Collage came alive back then and we are still in the shadows of the their foot stools. Or their bathing machines? Umbrellas? Anyway, some dadaist thing inbued with mystery and romance. Inbued, is that a word? I'll have to googly it. Today I made another for the dada group on FB. This (above) is an old one from last year - from the blog Kollage Kit. Also a trip into the windy town for a walk among puddles and posting parcels. Found some cheap DVD's including "The Woman IN The Window" by Fritz Laing - not one of his best known works. Also Charlie Chaplin shorts on two DVD's - all cleaned up with a nice musical track added. I watched the first "A Dog's Life" which was fun with some nifty slapstick, acrobatics and a cute mongrel. Just made some mince pies with the left over mince that was solidifying in the fridge. Just in time for afternoon tea.

Dentist

Had to go for 6th monthly check up and scrape at the dentist this morning. Bumped into Peter Lloyd, Archie's old driving instructor who was having his check-up too. He asked after Archie and I told him he was still living in Brighton. He was walking a bit wonky , waiting for a hip operation - he said he'd been putting it off. Still does a bit of instructoring despite being 71. He goes to the gym too - "nothing too strenuous - more of a social thing" The dentist's receptionist goes to the same place and they loudly sung it's praises. "It's very clean" said Peter. Afterward's a trip into town with Hazel to do some shopping, go to the bank and post office etc. Got some cheap DVD's including a nice BFI set about shipbuilding.

Crimblemess and New Year

O dear - getting a bit behind with my blogging. Too much to do and so little time to do it. The festive season has come and gone . We had a nice time with our Archie , who was able to get a week off from his temporary job at Sainsburys to visit us and make it a special family time. His girlfriend went to her folks in Dublin. We ate far too much as usual so now trying to loose the pounds I put on which is quite hard seeing as we have much of our larder filled with xmassy treats still, like the Dundee cake, puddings, tins of biscuits etc. Still ploughing our way through the exotic cheese platter! The last of the pickled walnuts has squelched off into the sunset. We managed a few walks and pub lunches too like the one above to Shackerley Mere. Tony. Pene and dave came over to join us at the Salt Barge. It was Chrisma day at the Jones's of course and I took along the famed nut roast wellington and marmite gravy. They supplied the sprouts and roast spuds etc. Board games followed - I forget which ones - they all seem alike to me! Crackers pulled and daft jokes read out. Hazel collected all the party popper strings for her gadgetry requirements. New years resolutions include doing a drawing a day in my new sketch book that Hazel gave me and walking more.

Blakemere

Yesterday we went over to the Blakemere Craft Centre and antique emporium to have a rummage. Audrey , Hazel's sister came too. We didn't find that much - some stocking fillers and odd ceramics. The old postcard stall isn't there anymore which was my favourite bit - spent ages sorting through trying to find old photos of Southend and other places we know well. Bought the tree from the garden centre and the nice man there gave us a discount as we are regular shoppers. Managed to cram it in the car just about with me holding the pointy end so Hazel could see in the rear view mirror!This lovely old galloper roundabout was being erected on the car park in readiness for some festive celebrations at the weekend. Shame it is pouring down with rain. Hazel has braved the elements to go into town for the artisan market. I'm staying indoors to collage and do the last of the crimble cards.