Pepe's birthday, 27.4.2019.

It was my boy Pepe's birthday on the 27th of this month and we went to Reddish Vale and had a walk round and then into the Info centre for his biscuit!, which if he doesn't get one get's quite vocal.

As you can see he'd had his wash and trim a couple of days earlier.

Who's a pretty boy then!

One of the ladies there said I should be on the picture as well so used my Phone, turned out well again as George Formby used to say!.

Moved his chair a bit nearer the counter.

Then as it was his birthday it was off to McDonald's for a Chicken select and a walk round Debdale till it was off for his best treat, a visit to his Auntie Joyce and Uncle Bob's. 

Joyce and Bob on an earlier meal out.

His head nearly swivels off as soon as I mention "Bob". 

So I've started a new Folder for him as Pepe Aged 10.

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Here are a couple from his first folder.

He is the chubby one in the front centre. 

His mum is the beige one in the background, sister in front. 

This is his Dad, where he get's his colouring as a "Red Sable" (sable meaning Black in dogs).

His first picture taken at Etherow park by Bob.

So a good day was had by both of us!

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A barking dog never bites,

Well, well at least not while its barking!.

A mean man bought a Dachshund for his six children so they could all pet it at once!.

A man walks by a table in a casino and passes three men and a dog playing cards.

"That's a very clever dog" says the man.

"He's not that clever" says one of the players, "every time he gets a good hand he wags his tail"!

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That's all for now!.

Sunday down the Vale, 28.4.2019

Spent a few hours down the vale this morning before going to Family for dinner and very nice it was too.

There were a lot of terrapins about today as you can see.

and here they are in close up!

Then the young Gull that's taken up residence there seemed to be having a bit of fun tipping them off into the water, perhaps thought they would be easier to get into, been at it for days now.

Then he found what looks like a lemon, was playing with that, anyone for tennis!.

Expectant father, looking after his lady. 

Daddyo.

Henry Heron there as usual.

This one caught something but not sure what!.

There was a kestrel flying about, perhaps looking for a mate to share the nest box under the arches. 

A bit closer, but then you lose definition, still gives you an idea of what a beautiful bird they are.

Perhaps get a better picture on my next visit, watch this space.

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Everything looks alright down there Fred!

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The past week, 26.4.2019.

Went to the funeral of friend Mary on Tuesday, on Wednesday took Pepe for his six weekly wash and trim which I'm sure he felt better after the hot weather we have been having, then it was back to Manchester to meet friends Jean and her lovely daughter Jaquie at the Windmill carvery.

This week also heard of a friend I've only ever known as Little Jimmy and that he had passed away at home and had been found sat in a chair with his glasses on his knees, which sounds that he had passed away peacefully, I hope so anyway!.

This is the post put on Facebook by the park Warden Daryll.

On Friday, I was invited to go to The Notcotts Garden Centre for lunch with Jean and Jaquie again, I'd not known that you could take Dogs in there,  you have to walk right though the centre to the back and the seating area is outside the back of the cafe undercover and fortunately it was a warm day.

I'd been to the Vale first thing and had a stroll round in the sun

As you can see the Chinese Swan goose can hardly keep his eyes open in the warm sunshine.

  

The Grebe still busy keeping his mate fed.

Plenty of terrapins enjoying the sunshine as well  

The common Gull seems to be settled in at the Vale.

Today Friday went to Daisy Nook and was told where I could see the Jay I'd been tipped off about

Though it was cold and drizzling I  finally got these pictures which I was delighted with as they are quite a shy bird.

So all in all a good week.

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I think the surest sign that intelligent life exists somewhere else in the universe is that none of it has bothered to contact us!.

If God had wanted us to go metric he would have appointed 10 apostles wouldn't he?.

The trouble with being punctual is that people think you have nothing else to do.

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Thursday at the Vale, 18.4.2019.

Thursday down the Vale, Pepe and I met friend David with his Daughters Pug Geoff.

Nice sunny day and the temperature seems too be climbing to what the forecast promised us at 22 degrees by weekend, still we will see won't we, the weather.guys do seen to get it wrong on a regular basis.

The only trouble for me is the Pollen count and that's forecast to be high with tree pollen in the near future, so more runny noses, still you don't want to hear any more about that!.

We had a good walk round the lakes and then took Dave and Geoff down by the river path which they hadn't seen before so it was nice for them and Geoff hadn't been on sand before and was trying to eat it!.

Considering Geoff is only about 11 months old he and Pepe seem to get on well and they were both well and truly tired out by the time we left them after another drink in the Info Centre.

It was surprisingly quiet down by the river and no screaming kids!.

The male swan was on guard on the path round the lakes, making sure his mate crossed from the lower lake to the upper one where their nest is, don't seem to have any eggs yet.

Looking puffed up and aggressive when we quickly passed with the dogs. 

Plenty of Terrapins of various sizes out sunning themselves today.

The usual patient Heron was there as well looking for his lunch.

Pied Wagtail, don't stay still long for a good snap.

Managed a bit better with this Grey Wagtail, next quest is for a yellow Wagtail, Yellow all over!.

Only downer this week was two friends have died, one was expected and the other a chap I used to see regular at other parks as well, found in his chair with his glasses on his knees so it must have been quite a painless end, which can't be bad if you have to go!.

A picture from the archives (Before the hat) that's me sailing a 70 ft Narra Boat that belonged to a very trusting friend of mine!

A bit slimmer there, still we were line dancing three nights a week, fit as butchers dogs!. 

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What has four legs and an arm?,

A happy pit bull!.

Three ways to keep your teeth,

Brush after every meal,

See your dentist every few months,

Keep your nose out of other peoples business.

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Down the Vale, Saturday,13.4.2019.

Going back to my previous post about installing a Niger feeder in the Community garden down the Vale I'm pleased to say it was a roaring success

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This morning whilst sat in the Community Garden I was pleasantly surprised to see not one but Six Goldfinches, all queuing up to get on the feeder.

Form an orderly queue please. 

Room for one more now.

Beautiful colours.

For the purist's out there, there is even a small shrub behind the table so they can get a shot without the feeder showing!

"This is better than the back of Daryll's workshop!"

So another first for me this week!.

Blue tit.

Is this a juvenile thrush Bob?. 

Another couple of Robin's, but they are very nice aren't they.

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Man's best friends.

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