Tuesday, 30.1.24.

 Today is was a day indoors as the car had to have a service and MOT, so it was like having a limb missing, or when you stopped smoking what did you do with your hands!.

Well I got stuck in and did some of the jobs that needed doing indoors, ie change the bedding and do a wash, wash the windows downstairs, vac round upstairs and down.

During the week I had had an idea to stop Alfie getting tied up in all the techno cables in the corner of the room and came up with this idea.

Couple of quid from Three ways DIY and some stain and varnish from the work room.

 Doesn't seem very high but it does the job.

Having said that, here he is climbing up a stack of DVDs, they are very persistence animals and seem to have a set routine and ways round the house. 

He's had a good breakfast today, Melon medley, cauliflower, Kale, assorted leaves and grapes!.

I had a trip down to Reddish Vale on Tuesday and Wednesday, nice day, but of course it was still quite cold but it is still only January!.

Spot the black swan.

On the Tuesday I had watched a chap feeding the Cob Swan by hand and stroking its chest, so on the Wednesday I saw the swan out of the water and thought perhaps I'll be brave enough to have a try feeding them by hand.

He's behind you!!.

Taken this photo off at request of the Vale management, had people on who might not have wanted to be shown!. then blocked their faces out.

These photographers were trying to take water level shots and then realised he was behind them. 

Then as I was sat on a bench near to, both Swans came over to see what treats I had!.

Then before I had a choice they both started eating out of my hand, it was difficult to get my camera in there but I think I managed ok I think you will agree.

In a few months time this big guy will be a real terror protecting his youngsters.

When sat on a bench this pair are level with your face so rather intimidating

Was a nice experience to remember though.

Then it was off round the ponds, the black swan still there and noticed that some of the photographer's on the website had caught it in flight and you won't believe it but its wings are all white underneath in flight!.

Also out of the water this coot with its large feet.

And this mandarin that looks as though its colour has washed off in the water, my fanciful imagination again.

His mate.

Moorhen and pigeon.

Crow with a bourbon biscuit.

Crows with Monkey nuts.

Cormorants enjoying the sunshine.

So a good day down there.

The car passed its MOT so alright for another year!.

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Which Englishman invented the fireplace?.

Alfred the Grate.

 Where was the Magna Carta signed?.

At the bottom!.

Who invented King Arthurs round table?.

Sir Circumference. 

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Sunday 21.1.24

 Feeling a lot better this week, so had a couple of trips down Reddish Vale Country Park to see the black swan that everyone was photographing and publishing on the Vale website.

So as my friend Jean wasn't feeling too good on Thursday ( think it was just Winter syndrome) I decided to go to the Vale and there right near the gate on to the lower mill pond was Blackie!.

Most of the pond was frozen over but just a small section if you went clockwise round the pond was clear so all the birds were there. 

 I went again on Friday and most of the ice and snow had disappeared, never seems to last long in Manchester area.

Blackie was still there and seemed quite settled in with the resident  couple of white swans and their two youngsters.

It has no leg tags, so no idea where it's come from.

Still a few mandarins about too.

Male.

Female.

Male Blackbird.

Female Blackbird

A cheeky Squirrel.

Nuthatch in classic pose.

Everyone loves a Robin.

Blue Tit, enjoying the seed.

Carrion Crow with a monkey nut.

I also had a trip over to the Gorton lower resser and though partly frozen over not too bad, though there's still snow on them there hills.

If you were wondering what's happening at the electric charging park at Debdale it's finally finished.

That's McDonalds on the left, so you could get a meal whilst waiting for your car to charge but beware there is a charge for overstaying.

Then it was off to The Windmill where it was 50% off Monday -Thursday if you had their appt!.

So this was £9.99 with a half pint of beer, can't be bad and no washing up, the staff are all very nice too.

So now off to enter a picture on the monthly Banner of Reddish Vale photographer's website, though another black swan isn't going to matter, think I might enter my Nuthatch one this time.

As I'm not going out today its off too slave over a hot stove and cook some bacon, egg and beans lovely, then watch the ladies football on telly.

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15.1.24.

Since my last post not been out with the camera, though I've been a little better in myself thought it prudent to stay away from crowds, for their sake really.

I went to The Windmill twice last week as it was 50% off Monday to Thursday, sat on my own away from anybody, also went though the drive thru at KFC.

This is a boneless banquet, got extra here, its usually three pieces of chicken and one bag of chips, perhaps they thought I needed feeding up.

Gave Alfie a good clean out and fresh floor covering in the week.

This is his food, plus this week I found these Melon Fans which he really likes.

I was holding one of the melon fans and he ate it so quick that he was nearly up to my fingers before I realised, that's his gaping mouth full of melon, they are very strong for their size so don't know if they will cut you, not going to try!.

While at Sainsburys this week my phone wouldn't pick up a signal so I like the smart shop so much, thought I'd try their own SmartShop devices which turned out to be better than my own phone.

Just like to do my shopping with them as it shows people us oldies are not all Neanderthals, having said that I met an old friend from my AFS and Ambulance days and his wife said where's your phone and he said "In the cupboard at home!", I forgot my phone a few weeks ago and thought I'd lost a limb!!.

Whilst in Morrisons the other day after shopping and dinner I was walking past a free book shelf and saw this hard backed book so I grabbed it.

I wasn't a national serviceman but thought it would be a good read to see what others thought of the service and up to what I've read up to now most of the lads enjoyed it!.

One thing that stood out to me was that when it started in 1946 the pay for a squaddie was 28 shillings and when I went into the army as a regular in 1956 the pay for a national serviceman was still 28 shillings!!, it was better pay for Regulars

Can you imagine leaving your family and friends and going away for two years maybe longer depending on the world stage.

I certainly enjoyed it, a roof over your head and all found.

My Son did something similar as a Mormon missionary and as in the Services it gives you a better outlook on life and makes you more independent. 

Well glad to say as of this post I'm back on my feet though at my age, not as steady as I'd like.

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This sounds about right!.

Didn't turn out like this.

Don't like it take a number!.

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