Monday down the Vale, 25.11.2024.

 Monday it was quite a nice day so it was off to the Vale well wrapped up, it wasn't that warm!.

Sparrows near the wardens office.

As soon as I got to the lower mill pond I was mobbed by the pigeons, they were hungry with not many people going and them that do don't have any seed.

 A lady was laughing at them all over me so I said take a picture with my phone please, she even managed to get the park sign in!.

As you can see Beaky the one with the twisted beak was there first and all the others standing all over him. 

Plenty of Cormorants about on the day.

 A pair of Gadwall's 

 Cute little white duck I'd not seen there before.

The crows enjoyed the peanuts.

The Leucitic crow was there too. 

The squirrels enjoyed sharing an apple with me. 

But it seems they are not too keen of the skin as they left me this!.

Still a few Mandarins about in their breeding colours

A lot of work being done round the park by council men and the wonderful volunteers, I do my bit with a pair of secateurs in my pocket and trim off any branches over growing the paths, best I can do at my age.

Then it was off to Morrison's for lunch and my fish and chips, very nice as usual, then a bit of shopping!.

As I got to the traffic lights coming home, seem to take ages as the main road has preference, then the lights turned to green for me and I was turning left and out of my peripheral  vision saw a large SUV speeding towards me, so it was a case of speed up out of the way rather than brake before it hit me.

The SUV stopped as did I, opposite each others door and the middle aged woman was starting slag me off and I pointed to the traffic lights which were still on Red for her!. OOOh was the look on her face.

I stopped at the next traffic lights just a few yards down the street and looked back to see her still sat in the middle of the yellow box and all the other cars going in her direction sat waiting for her to go When their lights went to green!.

I could have slagged her off and said you have nearly killed me but I think she already knew that, and to tell the truth I was a bit shaken myself, I've been to plenty of road accidents back in the day when I was driving an ambulance, but it's a lot different when it's you staring at a big SUV speeding towards your door isn't it.

Still all's well that ends well!, and my visit to the Morrisons at Bredbury to see my friend today went well and no trouble at the lights!.

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Wednesday, 20.11.2024,

 Wednesday down the Vale was quite cool but was well wrapped up so it wasn't too bad.

The paths were all frozen mud but the ponds were still ice free.

The bend in the river, "The river bends" was a film years ago that many won't have seen, it starred Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe, funny how your memory kicks in with odd bits of useless information isn't it.

There were quite a few Goosanders there this nice Male.  

And a female.

Not sure about this one, a male but not in full colour yet or a mutant one.

There were plenty of robins round the park and you can't get too many of them can you?. 

The Mandarins were still there on the lower mill pond.

Go back to sleep Fred it's only the chap with the hat.

 A heron was on the top mill pond but it was on the far side so it wasn't too good a picture.

The resident pair of swans hopefully they will produce a brood in the spring.

This Canadian goose is a mutant, Spotty Muldoon springs to mind.

So after a quick walk round and a chat with some of the hardy walkers it was off to Morrison's a warm, and the usual mini fish and chips, very nice too as usual.

Thursday it was our trip to the Bridge view Café at Portland Basin, as you can see by the notice they are starting the Christmas season.

Most tables were reserved for two big parties but I was told there were two tables reserved that was for me and my gang, which ever I wanted, so it was one away from the door which was chilly when opened!. 

On the right there you can see some of the jigsaws I take, it's started a good exchange as I some times get a good one from there too., it's a take one their free and return or pass on to someone else, do the same with books too!. 

Christmas Party.

This party is a regular on Thursday's, think the attraction is my neighbour and friend Chris who is semi resident on Thursday's!, all the 50's 60's and 70's songs that this group all join in with.

They certainly do a good spread and it's all good hot food served up.

 Then it was home and finished another jigsaw 

So still looking up and well for the time of year and trying to forget the party that are in number 10 now. 

All I can say is that Dick Turpin had the decency to wear a mask!.

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A vasectomy is never having to say sorry!.

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Monday, 18.11.2024.

Today it was off down to the Vale again, though it was quite cold I was well wrapped up, just wish I'd put my boots on as it was quite muddy under foot and my shoes haven't got much tread on them so I was slipping and sliding in some places after the overnight rain.

At least the rain kept off, if anything it was more likely to snow, news says that's due tonight.

I was lucky enough to catch the Shovelers today, well it was a Male one, didn't notice any females., perhaps he was calling a female.

A gadwall.

There were quite a lot of Goosanders, mostly females though.

Getting hard to notice the Robins amongst the autumn colours .  

Nicely kept bench, always have a rest here, with a carrier bag to sit on.

Group of tufted ducks

Squirrels sharing my apple today, a slice each!.

Crow with peanut.

This crow with white markings is a Leucitic Crow, hope I've spelt that right!.  

Someone's been busy, made and put up these new feeding stations round the park

One of the signs round the park.

So another nice but cold trip down the Vale, so lucky to have this place so close to home!.

So off to  Morrison's for my mini fish and Chips, its just enough for me, think they have a new supplier for the chips, very nice too.

 Back home my plants are all doing well, ie my Mother-in- laws tongue has flowered first time I've ever had that happen!, not very impressive though.

This pot I put together about 7 years ago is getting a bit overgrown now, will have to replant it, how you might ask?, Carefully is my answer to that one!!.
 Watering them, only when you remember to!.

So another nice day if your wrapped up that is!!.

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