The ghost of week past.

Over the past week we (Marjorie and I) have not been out much as we have both been a bit off colour with coughs and colds, so I decided to take Pepe to Lyme Park in High Lane, Stockport.

One of our members a few weeks ago had been talking to the chap who was the events organiser there and had explained that we used to have a show there twice a year with our club, the chap was very interested and said the person who had been in charge who had stopped us going had now left and indicated he would like us to come back!, the member hadn't got the name or phone number of this chap!.

This was music to my ears as it was a beautiful venue and had a large audience to show off our models. 

So our new membership card for the National Trust clutched in my frozen little hand it was off to find this chap.

After asking around I finally ended up in the Estates Office in the big house and found out that the chap I wanted was in a meeting and there was no idea when it would end, I left my Club and Personal business cards and was told he would contact me, still as its very close to Christmas I suppose there is plenty for him to do on the estate at the moment, hopefully this will be the start of our club and the park getting together again as it's a beautiful venue and everyone loved it, us and public alike

Pepe looked quite at home sat on the big chair in the office there, looked like he owned the place!.

On the way out I took a few pictures, didn't think it would be all text did you!.

 The small lake near the toilets and cafe 

The cafe, has you can see everyone well wrapped up.

The shop

The timber yard, the door near the sign is for ramblers to sit and eat their butties out of the rain and cold

The entrance to the big house

Large statue in the lake behind the big house, was this where Mr Darcy fell in the film?

No Plastic collection boxes for these gutters

Christmas decorations

 In the courtyard

On the way out, took this one of the tower on the hill

And nearer, with the zoom of course, didn't get out of the car was frozen by then.

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On my trips round the garden centres, acquired a nice Mother-in- laws tongue  plant, which I've had in the past and after reading up again find they are the easiest plants in the world to grow, we shall see!!.

At £4 you can't complain at that can you, re-potted and in a fancy container, in the porch, but brought it back in as it's too cold out there this weather, perhaps in the spring

Better there in the living room.

Lastly friend Bob said I should do bit more cooking and had this for my tea last night 

Cheese on toast with pepperoni,

Apple pie and custard, does this count as cooking??

He called it a gastronomic breakthrough, perhaps he thinks its better than the usual junk food and tin stuff, but be honest when was the last time you opened a tin and the stuff inside was bad!!.

A Merry Christmas to you all from Pepe and I.

And just to remind you what it's all about really!.

That's all for now folks.

Awards night 2013

In my last post I mentioned that I'd been to the Hare and Hounds at Werneth Low for lunch with my good friends Bob and his wife Joyce, had a nice meal with Pepe sat good as gold in a chair at the table, I count myself rich in the fact that I have such good friends as these and many others in the boat club!.

Thinking that the day couldn't get much better, went to the AGM at the club that night and as well as the confirming of the officials for the coming year, it was also the awards for the various events and competitions throughout the year. if you are interested in the results of the awards 

Click here

If not I will give you the short version, 

I received the David Beaumont Trophy for services to the Club by a non committee member, and if you zoom in you might see that Velda's name is on the top left and mine bottom right, nice to have both our names there!.

I also received Joint 1st kit built trophy with the treasurer Geoff, we will have to share it during the year, I will be fed-up dusting it by then anyway!

I'm on there twice as well 2011 and 2013

 And there is the boat I entered this year, and here is the beautiful model submitted by Geoff the treasurer!.

Well there you go, what a great finish to a wonderful day with friends and club members and to get trophies for what you like doing is just icing on the cake really!.

Thanks to John, the other moderator for the festive header!.

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An elderly man went to the doctors for his test results. The doctor said "I've got some good news and some bad"

"What's the bad news" asked the man.

The doctor said "I'm afraid you only have a week to live"

"Oh my God!" exclaimed the old man, "Thats terrible! so what's the good new?. 

The doctor said "They're going to name the disease after you!.

Boom Boom 

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That's all folks 

This week, 7th Dec 2013

Had a nice few days and nights this week!.

Friday it was to the Stable Gate at Denton for a meal with my lady friend Marjorie and then on to the Ashton Stake house, (Note the spelling Stake not Steak) where the grandchildren were singing in the Christmas Carol Service there, so gave Marjie the chance to meet the rest of the family and some of the members of the church there.

She now knows that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Mormons) don't eat their young or worship much different from other churches!.

On the way home we stopped off at the Stable Gate again for a drink and a chat and to our surprise the place was empty!, it had been heaving earlier when food was being served, still it was nice and quiet with all the kids home and in bed, so quiet that after last orders were rung, we got locked in and had to go and find someone to let us out, what a pair of stop out's, still a nice evening.

Saturday thought I'd take Pepe to Etherow for a walk and exercise myself, there was not a soul in sight, the cafe was empty, so after a Bacon buttie and a drink it was off round the lakes.

Are you sure he's mine?.

Leaves everywhere

New badger sett just appeared.

There were two other people in the park, these two having a picnic!.

Bridge over leafy waters

Coat of many colours

Solitary Coot

He's still following me!.

Solitude.

When we got back to the car Pepe was black underneath and thought he was from the Blackfoot Indian tribe, and I'd had him washed and trimmed for Christmas the previous Monday, What a Gorrrp!, had to wash him, his coat and towel when I got home, won't be doing that again in a hurry.

Had a trip to Daisy Nook yesterday, bought some compost what can you say about Compost!, the lunch was nice and we sat at the table next to Roy Barraclough, of Les Dawson and Coronation Street fame, nice chap. then it was a run over to The Spindles shopping mall in Oldham , very nice Christmas decorations there.

Just got back from a nice dinnertime meal at the Hare and Hounds at Werneth Low with Bob and Joyce, same place we had the Club Christmas dinner last week, Must think about a diet after Christmas, That's it thought about it, perhaps more exercise instead!.

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The Doctor said to the elderly patient, "I have some good news and some bad news, The bad news is we have had to amputate both your legs"

"Whats the good news" asked the horrified patient.

The patient in the next bed wants to buy your slippers"

Boom Boom 

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Its the way I tell em!.

That's all folks

Late again!.

Late again, I'll have people thinking I'm not well, specially my sister Barbara in Oz!.

Well I don't know how I found time to work in the past!. I seem to have plenty to do all the time, I was talking to a friend of mine at the lake the other day and he was down in the dumps and feeling sorry for himself, what do you do in your spare time say's I, nothing really say's he, get's someone in to clean and wash and iron and then has time to feel sorry for himself. 

Well I don't go down that route, I keep busy and do everything myself  it helps to keep busy and then you don't have time to feel sorry for yourself do you.

My lady friend Marjorie makes me feel awful when I see the size of her garden and the way she keeps it so nice and colourful, so I decided to do a bit of re-organising in my garden, first was throw out the dead Summer stuff and replace with stuff that comes up every year.

 Offer on for two so we had one each.

These are like this all year round so that will save a bit next year, if I planted them right that is?.

Whilst at the garden centre took these pictures in their gift section.

 The band

What it's all about really 

Ho Ho Ho

Marjorie telling Father Christmas what she wants him to bring her, that's the fun side of her coming out.

Tuesday night was the Model Boat Christmas Dinner, this year as well as a different venue it was company for me with Marjorie there also, we were sat at a table with lots of friends I've made at the club over the years and I'm pleased to say they made Marjorie very welcome and she really enjoyed the night and the company.

A Thorn between two Roses.

Two English Roses, 

Marjorie and Joyce, Bob the builders better half!.

Click here for more pictures on the night!.

This week it was Pepe's turn at the Beauty parlour, same place as last time, "Mucky Paws" up in Oldham near to where John lives, does a lovely job on him and he seems to like it there as the lady has a nice calm dog of her own there as well.

Before 

And after, washed trimmed, nails cut and smells nice too!

Who's a pretty boy then?.

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An old lady was in court for stealing a tin of peaches.

"Why did you steal them" the judge asked, "they looked so nice and I didn't have any money" she said

The judge feeling sorry for her asked her how many peaches were in the tin, "Four" she said.

Right said the judge "In view of your years I'm going to be lenient with you".

Right, that will be four days in jail, one for each peach.

Court Dismi- "Your honour cried her old man

"Yes?,

My wife also stole a tin of peas!!.

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Its the way I  tell em!.

Thats all folks.

Autumn in Debdale November 2013

Today Pepe and I got wrapped up and went for a walk in Debdale Park!, though it was quite cold the sun was out and just the job for some pictures of the Autumn scenery.

Pepe in his woolly coat and me in my Aldi quilted jacket, nice and warm

Looking North

A few leaves left.

Looking over the reservoir towards the Donkey sanctuary, I see the paddocks I helped to erect in the early days of the sanctuary opening are still standing the test of time.   

 The orchard on the right there, not many leaves never mind fruit!.

 Latest art work installed in the park, that's the road to McDonalds on the left, thats where Pepe would rather be!.

Beyer Peacock of train fame was in this area and the founder is buried just a few hundred yards down the road. There is another art work like this outside Gorton library, that one is all white!.

Who is taking whom for a walk 

Some more nice colours 

Cotoneaster shrub

Yesterday (Sunday) it was dinner at Son John's where we met Grandson's lady friend and as usual Pepe had to get in the picture.

No show without punch springs to mind

Pepe playing gooseberry, two's company, three's a crowd Pepe!.

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That's all folks, hope you like the pictures, they are a lot better viewed in the warmth of the living room!.