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.

32nd Anniversary

Nice day with Hazel out for a drive before it got too wet. First a stroll round the Flashes ( filled in salt workings - now a bird sanctuary ). We hadn't been since it opened 6 0r 7 years ago and amazed at how all the small saplings planted then had grown into small trees. We tried to catch the falling yellow leaves but they were too quick for us! Bumped into a few solitary men with dogs carrying overlarge sticks. One turned his head to negotiate the eccentric gate - his owner said "He's quite intelligent!" My boots were beginning to pinch a bit - still wearing them in - so glad to get back to the car. Drove to the nearby Salt Barge opposite the new Lion Salt Works museum. They hadnt quite opened - busy preparing a hog roast and bonfire for the evenings festivities. We were seated inside and ordered our drinks and later when the cook arrived we ordered lunch. We thought it sounded like a light lunch - omelette and salad - Hazel had battered king prawns and salad and side order of chips. But two huge platefuls turned up that were delicious but we couldn't eat it all. Bang goes my diet again!

Chester

Nice drive over to Chester to deliver some work to a small gallery/shop in Northgate. Too early so walked round the charity shops and market. Eventually the gallery opened and i was able to unload my stuff. Meanwhile my arms had stretched 3 inches longer. Then we met up for lunch - a cheapo vege sausage roll al freco outside the cathedral - watching the many and varied folks walk by on there way to the Gay pride procession which we didn't know about. Amused by hairy man in big owl outfit. I wanted to take photo but he vanished into the crowd flapping wildly at shop windows! Lots of rainbow socks and stockings in vogue. Had a coffee in our favourite coffee shop - nice to get a sit down. Not many bargains - the Poundshop had some weird 3-D pictures of men who changed into vampires when you walked passed them - we have one on the outside loo. Got another for Halloween. Also a rubber gerbil. Home by 2pm. Still misty - the promised sun never appeared.

Anderton and River Weaver

Nice walk along the River Weaver yesterday with Hazel and her train buddy Liz. Watched the boats go in and out of the historic Anderton lift. Lovely sunny day so we had lunch out on the decking over looking the Trent and Mersey Canal. Delicious prawn sandwich, crispy chips and salad. I had a lovely pint of local brewed ale. Walked off this feast by going back through the woods and Carey Park to the car - parked in the long stay car park as all the others were full. Home for fruit and cake in the back garden which was nice a quiet for a change.

Yorkshire

Nice weekend over in Marsden, West Yorkshire with our old chum Dave Smith. Hazel took along some pansies to brighten up his sad looking window boxes and pots by the front door. Had a pub meal with Dave and some of his friends - ate far too much and back on the diet again. Pretty uneventful drive over the moors although we did encounter some Bradley Wiggins clones who clogged up the trecherous windy roads on occasion!

Boot Sale Bargains

Off to the craft centre bumper boot sale this morning in the sunshine. Probably the last one of the year. The field normally reserved for a Segway course was packed full of cars and so spent a happy hour or two rummaging in other peoples rubbish and collectables. Half the stalls were of toys that had outgrown their usefulness. Hazel did well with her finds - some tins and one particular nice toffee tin with squirrels on which we have already but this is a better less worn one. Also some useful stationary like drawing pins and paper fasteners. Everything was so cheap she said , she didn't have the heart to say no! Another cheese dish without a lid - just what we need! I didn't get anything although i enjoyed the hunt and rummage. I must be getting more picky as I get older - not even a DVD or scratchy record caught my eye.