Community Garden

Early morning walk to the community garden and fishing ponds whilst it was still cool enough to enjoy it. Sat for a while enjoying the sounds of nature - the birds chirping and the butterflies fluttering. Some dog walkers passed by. A couple of coots still dabbling in the fishing pond but most of the youngsters had flown off. Warming up as we wandered home via the railway bridge and cornfield. Phew! Glad we went out early. Hopefully cooler tomorrow.

Walk By The Weaver Navigation

Lovely new walk just discovered by the River Weaver near Hartford. We've driven passed it hundreds of times but never bothered to stop as we were always off to Hartford, Whitegate or Chester etc. This time we explored around the Royal Vale Woods and found the locks and the signals just beyornd the magnificent viaduct that takes the train to Crewe or Chester. A few joggers and dog walkers but relatively quiet for such a beauty spot. Hazel said if this was near London it would be crammed with people. Too true.

Griffiths Park

I kept spotting bits of detritus in the road as we walked to the park yesterday. The street sweeping lorry thingy doesn't seem to come round as much anymore. Thankfully the park was more colourful!

Walk To Local Park

Our lockdown walks were so incredibly important and enjoyable. In that same spirit we carry on our local walks and feel the better for iteven though we sometimes ummm and ahhh about getting out when the weather seems slightly wet or windy! We always feel good about ourselves if we make the effort to get out of the house. So this mornings was just up to our local park but a much needed stretch of the legs. Our favourite bench was occupied but we found another and sat in the sun wondering if the lone ant had brothers and sisters climbing up to nibble us! Popped in the Co-op for some sour dough and oven bottoms ( bread buns to you!) a local delicasy.

Anderton Rain and Walk

This mornings walk after the rain at Anderton. Around the fishing ponds and up the Trent and Mersey canal. 5th August 2022.

Walk To The River Dane

This mornings wanderings down by the community orchard and the fishing ponds. Nice and sunny but with a fresh breeze. I had to take my hat off as was scared it would blow away! The coots seeme to have moved on to pastures and waters new - just one solitary coot we could see which kept it's distance. It was nice to see the family (actually two families ) grow up and thrive down there. The cornfield was quite big now and a surprise as we hadn't seen it for a while. Not quite up to an elephant's eye but getting on that way!

Blakemere

A drizzly start to the day but later it brightened up so we ventured out to the boot sale at Blakmere Village. Only a third of what is normally there but enough to make it interesting. Didnt find anything but Hazel bought an old card game called Old Maid from the 50's for 50p. Then to the antique emporium for a rummage but no bargains there either. A bit too pricey these days.

Walk To Co-op and Park

This mornings wander around the park and dumping plastic off at the local Co-op shop. Also got some milk and bread etc. Saw our neighbours and their barky dog Sparky going off to the park. They were enjoying the relative cool weather like us. Home to make some collages and sardines on toast.

Archie and Meriel Visit

Lovely to see Archie and Meriel for the weekend. We were worried about the trains but they were fine thankfully. Went to the garden centre at Marbury to buy some plants for Auntie Audrey's and Hazel's birthday next week. Having an early celebration. Nice take away curry last night and watched DVD that Meriel bought me for my belated birthday - The Duke with Jim Broadbent and what's her face? Very funny and charming British film - the sort they rarely make anymore.

Whitegate Boot Sale

Slim pickin's at the Whitegate boot sale yesterday. Lots of cars and people but mostly plastic rubbish. I bought some ancient broad beans and some sweaty courgettes from one guy who obviously has an allotment. Hazel found some old tools for Archie. Also other useful stuff. Still, it was nice to get out for a drive down the country lanes of Cheshire and try and avoid the cyclists. Warming up as the morning progressed. I stayed indoors mostly printing a new zine - that Ron Bookless and I collaborated on. Folding, cutting and stapling etc. A good brainless task to do when it's hot! Our pantry seems to have sprung a leak so Hazel cleaned it out and discovered an empty moisture catcher which could have been the culprit. How it emptied itself is a mystery!

Marsden

Nice coupe of days in West Yorkshire in Marsden and Slaithwaite. A bit cooler thankfully. Walks to the old mill and resevior. Tripto Slaithwaite and the lovely artisan bakery to get pasties and bread. Sadly the delicious croissants had all sold out! Fish and chips in the park. Popped in a few chairity shops - got Archie a badminton racket. Some cheap DVD's. Drive back via Glossop.

Daily Doodlers

More pages from my sketchbook. "Daily doodles" that I put on the FB group of the same name.

Barmouth, Ruthin, Dolgelleu

So many photos - can't possibly add them all there. Some on Facebook if you want to see more. Lovely two days in North wales in Dollgellau near Barmouth. Visted old friends who live the good life in the hills surrouned by chickens and cats and bees. They gave us two jars of their honey. Had anice tour of the gardens and bee hives etc. Lovely meal from homemade produce. Sorting through pottery shards they found in the stone walls. Fascinating history lessons. Lovely weather. the next days we went to Barmouth by the seaside. looked round the shops. No fish and chips so went to aother town 26 miles awayto find some! Had egg and chips instead. No sure why. Lots of junk shops and charity shops to look round. Long drive back to Dolgelleau and B&B. Why did that go red? Lovely walk to the Torrents. waterfalls and rushing rocky streams- sat on a mossy rock to eat our picnic. Took more photos - a small portion here.

North Wales

Cheshire Showground Antiques Fair

Nice day for a trip out to the Cheshire Showground - about 3 miles from us down some pleasing windy lanes. The sun came out which it improved it a great deal. The weather has been very changeable just lately. Didnt find any bargains but had a good rummage through all the junk. Had some expensive chips from a stall for our lunch sat on a grassy noel. Hazel found some metal number stamps for £10 which she seemed pleased with. Will be an early birthday present to herself.