Welcome to my new Blog



Welcome to my Blog.
My Blog is mostly about my hobbies, ie Model boats, Cross Stitch, Gardening, Days out and about, Lego Technics and Photography you might recognize the hat rather than me. My models and other hobbies can be found in the Tabs at the top below the header picture.
There will also be entries of days out with my camera, weather permitting of course.

Thursday 30 November 2017

Last day of November 2017!.

Last day of November went out with a shiver from everyone, first thing was scrape the ice off the windscreen of the new car! (new to me anyway).

Breakfast at McDonalds, Drink anyway!.

Then it was off to Diggle, up though Uppermill to Grandpa Greens, the popular canal side Cafe.

Looks lovely doesn't it, but appearances can be deceptive can't they!, it was blooming freezing!, though inside the area where you can take your dogs was nice and warm with an overhead heater and we all settled down to the new Over Sixties Special or the other nice choices on the very variable menu!.

The outdoor area decorated for Christmas, but not many takers for sitting out today!.
..........................................................................................
The CafĂ© has also launched a ‘GG’s 60 Club’ offering over 60s a meal of home-made soup, a sandwich, and ice-cream with pot of Yorkshire tea for £6.95. The deal is valid weekdays from 10am-4pm, excluding holidays.


The soup of the day, today was Potato and leek, and yes that's the soup!, couldn't get much thicker than that could you!, and it was delicious. My choice of Sandwich was Ham and Cheese equally nice and then you took the ice cream cone to the counter and had your choice of ice cream and being their speciality as you can imagine there was a great variety.
There is even Mince pie & Christmas pudding flavour!.

The two ladies had another drink whilst the two Peter's took the three dogs for a walk up to the Standedge Tunnel.

Nice gate on the tunnel, we were wondering how it worked if there were a boat going in the opposite direction and met in the middle of the tunnel, will made an effort to find out!.





On the way home we called at The Hartshead Pub for another drink and chat and warm up!
......................................................................................

The day before had a visit to Daisy Nook Country Park Cafe and saw that they had put up their Christmas decorations.
Another nice place for eating and very pleasant staff, and best of all 'Dog's Allowed'

....................................................................................
A traffic cop pulls level with a speeding car on the motorway.
Glancing over at the car, hes astounded to see that the blonde behind the wheel is knitting!.
The policeman cranks down his window and yells, 'Pull over!, No shouts back the blonde
'Scarf'!.
.............................................................
It's the way I tell em!




Saturday 25 November 2017

Down in The Vale, 25.11.2017.

After a bit of indecision with the weather decided to go out and went down to Reddish Vale Country Park..
It was drizzling when I got there, but whilst having a drink in the Information Centre the heavens opened!. I'd seen on the Stockport Nature Watch website that the Green Ringed Parakeets were on show in the park, due no doubt to the fact that the leaves were off the tree where they were last  time I saw them, but didn't manage a picture!.
So braving the rain, wrapped Pepe up in his coat and went looking for them in their tree, couldn't miss this one really it stood out bright green against the branches and dark sky!.

 


What you looking it!!.




At the feeding trough there was this little Sparrow, they seem to be getting a bit scarce nowadays.


A bit misty these, but it was raining!.

Form an orderly line?, push off, get in while you can they say.

I'm full to bursting!.

This little chap was only about 6 feet from the car, yes Pepe & I are not stupid we were sat in the car near the feeding station!.
Still showing some nice colours though a bit bedraggled. 

So it didn't turn out too bad, after lunch at Morrison's for their famous Fish & Chips it was home to the fire and the Darts on the television.
.......................................................................................

I'm saving up for a rainy day.
So far I've got a Sou-wester, two mackintoshes and a canoe!.

A word to the wise isn't necessary, its the stupid ones who need the advice!.

Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else!.
...........................................................................................................





Saturday 18 November 2017

Daisy Nook Country Park. 18.11.2017.

Pepe and I had a good day out today at Daisy Nook Country Park!, first stop was the Cafe for a breakfast muffin, Sausage and Bacon, very nice too, also discovered that they Allow dogs into the seating area, so instead of the usual trying to get your food and drink down outside before it goes cold, it was a leisurely affair, the only down side I found was that the WI FI  connection was'nt working as the wardens who had the connection had all be retired!.

Still it was nice and warm with plenty of people using it, they are open every day except Christmas day which was good news!.


Nice clean toilets and seating area.


Not a bad menu as well.

Then it was off round the park which I'd not been too for a few years, not much changed except for my interests.

The children's play boat was standing up well to the elements, been there for a few years now. 


The Cafe area and car park.

Plenty of horses around if you like them. Pepe seems to like them but couldn't eat a full one!

Ponytails!, They say that dog owners look like their owners, does that go for horse owners?.

Not been down here before but seen children playing in the river from off that bridge.

Further round near the canals found some wildlife.
These Gray lag geese with the usual White goose tagging along! 
 

A Heron hiding amongst the reeds.


Then I couldn't believe it when a guy pointed out this Teal!!.
Id always thought they were a bit smaller that this but perhaps its a bit overweight getting some fat on for the coming cold spell.  

Couldn't get a clearer picture as it was too far away and wouldn't be enticed nearer with some seed, perhaps next time 

It started to rain as well which didn't help the situation, can't blame Pepe for pulling my arm as my new Carabiner attachment on my belt to clip his lead to works well and I'm pleased with that!

So with the rain it was back to the Cafe and another hot drink to warm me up.
Off to the Daisy Nook Garden Centre then!,

Oh No its that time again!


Walking round the Centre.

Dog friendly area in the cafe, nice to see that places are opening up to us dog owners, closing a lot of customers out other wise, all ways been good here though!

Prices gone up a bit since I was last here, but its the same everywhere isn't it, still not bad though.


Menu.

Well that's my investigations done for the day, Two dog friendly places found !.

Had a look round the centre to see if I could find anything to make my bird bath into the idea that my Mate Bob the Builder had suggested last week, with this Photo shopped picture where he's used the top and fitted another section lower!.

Then found this nice green bowl which is just the Bees Knees I think, just the right size as well.
  

Bought a few other bits and pieces, ie  Bird seed and feeder.

Then saw this beautiful plant that I've been looking out for for years, only small now ( but so was the price) but with a bit of TLC will be alright.



So all in all a good day, which the slight shower didn't spoil!
.........................................................................................

If you live in a glass house, you should change clothes in the basement!.

If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

Drive carefully, its not only cars that can be recalled by their maker!. 
..............................................................................................

Friday 17 November 2017

Reddish Vale, 17.11.2017.

Had a nice morning down at Reddish Vale today, met another chap with his camera, and after throwing some seed into the lake managed to get the beautiful Tufted ducks in to the side for some snaps, they are usually a bit shy but with not many people about today perhaps there wasn't much food about.
Anyway here are today's efforts.
Male Tufted Duck.

Here is the Female, looking a bit shy hey

Lots of Squirrels about today




These two taken though the window of the information centre whilst having a cuppa to warm up after a brisk walk round the lakes.
All sorts come to this bird table during the day.



Round the back of the centre on the stone trough feeding station there is always plenty of activity,

A Great Tit


The Coal Tit saying to the Nuthatch, 'Save some for me'

Our National Bird, and a very good choice as well!.
Whilst in the info centre saw that Santa is coming soon!.

The other side of the big lake high up in a tree was this Heron, which having the Autumn leaves in the background, I thought made nice picture.

This one more in the usual position!.

Snapped this Female Goosander in the week as well.


Finished up the day meeting friends at The Windmill Carvery in Denton, a nice meal as usual and a nice chat, so a good day all round!.
......................................................................................................................
Always keep your words soft and sweet, Just in case you have to eat them!.

Don't kick a man when he's down, unless your absolutely certain he won't get up.

All things are possible, except Sking though a revolving door.
..............................................................................................................