New Bridge, 28.6.2020.

Today went to see the new bridge in situ, now all the crane stuff and other equipment had been cleared away.

Parked at McDonalds and walked across the grass to a position that was as favourable as possible.

Couldn't park at McDonalds without Pepe kicking up a fuss, so had to get a takeaway, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!.

The bridge looks a lot better this morning with all the clutter moved.

Standing back a bit.

Can you guess which camera was used. my large zoom one or my new compact one?.

Seeing the bridge was put into place quite early yesterday and most work stopped on Sunday, couldn't see why the main road couldn't have been re-opened, but I understand that the signage to close the road is done by the Highways dept, perhaps no one advised them the bridge was finished, there again perhaps some work being done behind the scenes hey.

The Church tower ( Brookfield Unitarian Church) in the pictures, so you can see the Gargoyles on it.

Pity the church didn't take advantage of the grants offered to churches some years ago to have them cleaned, perhaps they couldn't afford it.

It would have shown the details of the architecture, which looking  at this picture would have been impressive.

Mr Peacock (of Beyer Peacock trains) is buried in the grounds in a mausoleum which you can see off the main road.

Was going to have a walk in Debdale park, but the car park was heaving and loads of people streaming into the park with no regard to social distancing!, so gave that a miss

The new compact camera, for anyone interested, I know my mate Bob will be!.

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You know when your getting old when, 

the names in your little black book are mostly doctors. 

the four letter word that two people can do in bed is "Read"

you have a party and the neighbors don't even realise it. 

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Beware new scam supposedly from the Custom & Exercise Dept saying you might get sent to prison though Tax problems if you don't press 1. 

New Hyde Road Bridge, 27.6.2020.

Bit of excitement today!, well it doesn't take much at my age, I don't even have to take drugs, if I get up too quickly I get the same effect!.

The new bridge went in today on Hyde Road, Gorton,waited with Pepe in the rain but we both had our raincoats on and we had a McDonald's takeaway whilst we waited, we had both been having withdrawal symptoms for one of those over the lockdown.

It was good because, you order at the box, pay contactless at the next opening and collect at the next opening, hardly saw a human being.
The new bridge had arrived when we got there, as you can see the sides are not just straight but flared out.

That chap on the right is saying "Lets get this done Pepe is getting wet".

Hope you remembered the nuts Fred.

The official photographer even had a drone up!. 

Everyone waiting for the main man.

Nothing goes until his guy is ready at the controls. 

Straps on and ready to lift.

We have lift off.

Swinging round

Caught up in the trees on the south side.

Got there in the end, just need to get the nuts on now.

Gently lowering down.

Guys in white hats on the right there putting the nuts on.

Are you sure its tightened down?.

Then the driver of the lowloader had to push the trailer that he'd brought the bridge on, into a side street to turn round.

His mate at the back guiding the rear wheel steering, made it without hitting the silver car.

Made it on to the main road again

Off to the M60 motorway no doubt with his escort vehicle, what a driver. 

So even though we missed the old bridge being taken out, we redeemed ourselves today seeing the new one going in, a bit wet but happy and as I said before doesn't take much these days to keep us happy, some pictures and a McDonalds takeaway!

Back to the birds tomorrow!, weather permitting of course.
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Beware new scam supposedly from the Custom & Exercise Dept saying you might get sent to prison though Tax problems if you don't press 1. 

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Why was the parrot wearing a raincoat?,

So it would be Poly-unsaturated.

Junk is something you've keep for years -then throw away a week before you need it!.

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Self induced lockdown , 24.6.202.

Not much to write about today as I've stayed in, what with the weather and the high hayfever count, Pepe been a bit lethargic today as well, like me he suffers with the hot weather.

So today it was just a couple of pictures of the birds on the feeders.

A big fat wood pigeon.

My usual Goldfinches gobbling all the sunflower hearts.

I did go down to the Vale yesterday and met a young lady I'd met before, so we had a nice chat and a walk round the lakes and community garden.

This mallard family was on the Sunnyside pond.

This beautiful jay came when I brought out the peanuts. 

No social distancing for these terrapins on the lower mill pond.

The male swan (Cob) was keeping his eye on Pepe, very protective of his family.

Well that's it for today, been a bit rough, but there are a lot people a lot worse off than me I guess.

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Where was the Magna Carta signed ?, At the bottom!.

I'd better go before I get dafter.

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Lockdown eased, 22.6.2020.

After Thursday and Friday's bad weather and Saturday and Sunday a No No for going out for me at the moment it was a nice change to have a visit from Son and daughter-in-law on Sunday morning with a fathers day card and gift!.

So it was a good day today down at Reddish Vale after my absence the last couple of days, not too many people there early on but did pick up nearer dinner time. It was a beautiful sunny day not too hot near the water and most people taking notice of Social Distancing. 

This Black Headed Gull enjoying the Lower Mill Pond

Was surprised to see this Young Herring Gull too 

  

Another newcomer today was this nice Muscovy Duck on Lower Mill Pond.

The Swans on Top Mill Pond all doing well.

When will I get my orange beak Mum?.

In my garden since my last post as seen plenty of babies and all seem to be doing well, there must be plenty of nests about as the babies are in different stages of growth.

A baby Goldfinch flapping to attract its parents to feed it, back view so you can see its yellow wing markings.

And a front view. 

Ignore it, it will get the idea of feeding itself.

 

Lovely marking hey.

A regular visitor.

Where there's a will there's a way, to get at the good stuff.

A young Starling just getting its Coloured feathers

This one a bit younger.

Some of my dog Pepe's fur after a groom. He's 11 years old now, so you can imagine if I'd saved it all up I could have stuffed a mattress!, still it's good stuff for nest building.

I thought this years Springwatch was really good with more wildlife and less chat!.

Specially liked Chris Packham's review of the book below.

One of these guys became the CEO of RSPB, sounded real good, so bought myself a copy from Amazon, what would we have done without them over this lockdown.

 

So there you have it for another day out.

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Politicians and babies nappies have the same thing in common.

They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason.

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Pictures from the last few days, 17.6.2020.

Last few days been able to get out a bit more, so it was down to my favorite place Reddish Vale, and while there rummaged round in the back of the community garden and found a nice branch with some moss on for home.

I have two fan shaped trellis with Cotoneaster plants that produce berries for the birds in the winter,one red and the other yellow.

I'd put a bamboo cane between the two, but as you can see it didn't look very natural.

That's looking a lot better don't you think, with this adult goldfinch soon getting used to it.

A young Sparrow likes it too, a bit better to grip.

More, More cry's Oliver the young Sparrow.

Young Starlings waiting to see what the menu produces today.

This looks a lot more natural doesn't it.

They seem to like the seeds from the flowers on these plants.

Looks nice for me too in the winter before the birds eat all the berries.

A young Goldfinch through the square window. 

Young Starling found the Suet Pellets with mealworms.

Down at the Vale saw this Squirrel and I always like to think of captions to put to my pictures if I can.

This one was a cert for.

"Heartburn?, don't think I should have had that last peanut"

Saw this Coot dragging this large stick along must be thinking of tempting some female to join him in another nest, don't think Pepe could lift a stick this big!.

The 4 Cygnets still doing well.

This is the big boss down the Vale at the moment, seeing off all comers.

Think he's hiding behind this bush to try and catch Pepe unawares.

Looking across the Lower Mill Pond,  behind the trees there is the Top Mill Pond as big again, if you've never been you don't know what your missing!.

One of my friends was lucky enough to capture this picture of a baby peregrine that's just fledged and crash landed in the car park.

It was rescued by this chap and tagged, but this gives you an idea of the size of them, and this is only one of the babies, nice hey.

My picture of it back on the roof  showing off his tag.

Well that's it for another day 

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Stay Safe.

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