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.

More Swan Feeding

Nice wander down the road to the sunny banks of the River Dane and the fishy ponds. Hazel fed the swans some sweet corn from a tin. They seemed to like it - so much so one swan tried to grab the tin! The swans didn't say much but the ducks and coots were very vocal "Hey where's our treats?" they seemed to be saying!

Tony & Pene Visit

Nice lunch with our old chums T&P. Good to catch up. I made a mushroom and tomato quiche/flan. Salad and riatta. Pickled bootroot from a jar. Thats shiuld be a beetroot! This G&T has gone tio my head! Hazel is back from her hooping class and this is a nice way to wind down after a busy day of entertaining friends and popping to Co-op for things we forgot to get yesterday. There's always something. Went for a walk after lunch - gosh it was so warm - a real Summer's day! Saw two dead frogs and two swans. Hazael fed one some frozen peas which had thawed by the time we got to the fishing ponds. The other swan was making a nest in the middle on a patch of reeds so hopefully some signets in few weeks time. The peas were greatly appreciated - the swan was licking his beaky lips! Home for some tea and cake alfresco in the back garden. Yum!

West Yorkshire

Early drive over to Lostock to pick up Audrey who hasn't been very far for ages so a bit of an adventure for her. Nice for her to see Archie and Meriels new home too. Started off at 6-45am and the sun was coming up. Hazel had to wear her special glasses as not to be dazzled too much. The weather changed several times during the day - sleet = sun - hail - sun - cloudy - rain etc. Typical Yorkshire weather! Archie cooked us lunch and Tanya came too as she was driving Hazel over to Huddersfield to see the solicitor. I had a brief shuftie round the charity shops but didnt get anything. Brrr! it were right cold! Back home again around 2 so we missed the school run. Always seems faster going back for some reason.

Dropped Audrey off and went in for a cuppa and biscuit. Home by 4-30.

River Dane and Community Orchard.

Photos from this= mornings walk to the River Dane and the community orchard etc. Very warm and felt very overdressed in a coat and hat!

Anderton and Barnton

This mornings walk to Anderton Boat Lift and the canal via the garden centre to get some seeds. Nice and sunny again despite the cold. Popped into see Hazel's sister and have a cuppa and chat on the way back.

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.

Walk Along The Trent & Mersey Canal Towpath

Signs of Spring along the banks of the Trent and Mersey canal this morning. A muddy walk in the sunshine. Spotted some daffs and tete a tetes and blossom. The ducks and swans looked very frisky. We ended up in the local park and finally the Co-op to get some yoghurt and lemons ( Pancake day on Tuesday!)

River Weaver - Hartford

Lovely walk this morning despite the cold and the mud! Seems even wetter down the lane than usual - did it rain last night? We didn't hear it. Anyway - lots of folks had the same idea - walking their doggoes and cycling their pscychos eyc. Down the locks and back down the other side of the river. Afterwards to the antique emporiums at Blakemere. No bargains sadly. Just some dark choc ginger biscuits to have with our tea later.

Saturday Walk

Down the road to the comunity orchard and the fishing ponds. A bit nippy but no frost thankfully. saw a few ducks, a coot and a seagull. Hazel thinks she saw a heron flying off in the distance ( she's pointing at it in the photo ). The twiggy horse was looking well and the apple trees have been pruned for next Springs growth. I did some pointing too!

Archie had a guess as to what I was pointing at!

West Yorkshire

Lovely day out to West Yorshire to see how Archie and Meriel are settling in their new abode. They have done wonders so far but so much more to do. They are young and have the energy to do it. Meriel made a delicious tuna and tomato orzo pasta with salad and feta cheese. Yum! Went for a short walk to the weir and the local church yard. Sundays are best for driving early down those wiggly country lanes. Going home was a bit busier with a few idiot Sunday drivers to keep an eye out for.

Walk Around Marbury Country Park

Busy morning shopping in town and then a run over to Marbury to get some pansies and wall flowers from the garden centre which was very quiet. Then a walk round the lake edge and through the woods for 45 mins before lunch. Sunny and quite mild for a change. The car park was full surprisingly - mostly volunteers it seems we spotted every so often raking up the leaves and mending fences etc.

More Snow

Nice to get out for a walk in the snowy wastes of Cheshire this morning. I took a few photos but then my camera ran out of juice. Its charging now so I'll post some boring snow photos later. Also went to the Co-op to get bagels and vege sausages. Discovered that they were selling off lots of Xmassy things really cheap. Chestnuts that were £2-75 for 50p. Wow! dated to 2026 too! Hazel bought 8 packets! Also cheap biscuit selection. Making a nut roast later with some chestnuts and sprouts. Yum!