This week, 22-28.8.2025.

  Friday 22nd August it was off to Reddish Vale again, it was a bit dull but the rain held off.

It was strangely quiet, not many people about, only the odd dog walker, and not many birds either.

Middle path looking towards the entrance  

Same path looking towards the arches.

All a bit overgrown, but I did my little bit with my secateurs on any branches overhanging at a dangerous height as I usually do for my little bit of help.

A nice splash of colour on Mr Qinnie's bench.

Looking from the middle path across the lower mill pond that was covered in duck weed as there was on water flow due to the lack of rain.

When it does rain it's only showers, but at least it helps the gardens, there's a hose pipe ban on at the moment too!.

The usual Heron on the lower mill pond, but there were no Terrapins about, as it was too cold for them, though I thought it was quite muggy!.  

Male and female Mallards on the top mil pond.

Plenty of female Mallards about 

Little Grebe on the top mill pond.

Back home after lunch at Morrison's with my mate Chris, I found that the hydrangea I'd bought as a Blue one is coming into flower well but it's pink!, so I'd got some coffee grains from my friends at the Bridge view Café and though I've added them to the soil round the plant it's still looking pink though a bit darked now, not sure how long it might take to change!, perhaps next year!.

My old electric kettle was getting past it's sale by date so, bought this nice Small one from Amazon, only takes a couple of cups, ideal for older folk.

Then, whilst shopping noticed that a lot of stuff these days states, Cook by oven or Air fryer, rather than Oven or Microwave as it used too, so I've also bought a Small air fryer from Amazon too, they will be asking me if I want a business account next, like they did with a friend of mine that also orders a lot!.

Nice small one, just to heat up stuff, not going to start a lot of cooking!.

Just have to read the instructions on how to use it now!!. 

So quiet week, The Bridge Café  today with Christopher singing to the usual Thursday crowd!.

Oh My internet contract ends soon so I've gone for the new  Fibre cable stuff , it's actually cheaper this first year and next year goes up but still cheaper than I'm paying now, so that's not bad is it!.

The street light outside my house had a small dent in it for the last 5 years, but was working, so the council came a few weeks ago and put in a new lamp post at the side of the old one. Its taken 10 men, 4 trucks and a cherry picker up to now, the lights back on after being out for a couple of weeks, but it's not finished yet as they will have to come back and take the old post out, so that will be another 2 men in a truck to do that making 12 men in total, no wonder it costs so much to do work these days!, you couldn't make it up could you.

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Dog minding and visiting, 15-20.8.2025.

 The past weekend I was looking after my neighbours dog Kimba, for the weekend whilst they went visiting a sick friend.

They had raised a fence panel between our gardens so Kimba could use her toilet on their grass, and could come and go as she pleased. She has a beautiful nature and very friendly, mind you when someone knocked on my door to see if I was alright, as they hadn't seen me for a while Kimba brought the house down, I don't think anyone would chance getting passed her!. 

Originally from Spain, the owners were the daughter who lives there but couldn't have the dog anymore, so she was brought overland here, so is a bit wary of car travel, thinking where will I end up next!.

Settled in nicely.

Best of friends.

We haven't put the fence back and she comes and goes as she pleases, so I don't need a dog now has I'm sharing her!.

My friend Jean is still not well, so it was off to The bridge Café on my own again on Tuesday, after my meal I had a wander round the museum.

A bit of art.

And the history of the wooden narra boats.

Looking at them in real life, I doubt if some of them will even be refurbished again, a part from the cost, some look as if they are sinking already. Still I suppose the enthusiasts enjoy pottering about in them.

There are always arts and craft workshops going on downstairs, next to the café and some come in for drinks afterwards with their efforts. 

Me in the café on my own Aah, can't fall out with yourself can you?.

Back home.

When I first moved into this house 56 years ago there were beautiful leaded windows in the hall, but after a druggy tried to break in I took them out and put in wired reinforced glass, but always missed the colours in the hall.

We've had UPVC windows and doors put in years ago as did everyone else, so looks like this now!.

Then saw on my favourite "Amazon", some film you can use to get the same effect.

Comes in various sizes dispending on price of course!.

Think the amount I bought to do this job was about £15.99 so cheap at that, to get this effect I think.

Worse part, up and down the ladders at my age, but my enthusiasm carried me on!. 

Next day it was on with some more on the side panels.

Then this morning before lunch fitted the centre panel which was the hardest due to the shape, but again it went on alright!.

So except the up and down on the ladders, it all went well and quite easy, remember, measure twice or three times if your not sure and cut once!.

I always think of Nelson Mandela's saying 

"It always seems impossible until it's done"

So a good week with jobs done and a dogs company!  

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14th August. 2025

 First must apologise for not posting sooner, but this very hot weather is too much for me!.

My friend Peter G is back in Stepping Hill hospital after taking ill at his sisters, trouble was he was taken to Tameside Hospital where to be fair, they knew nothing about him, to cut a long story short he is back at Stepping Hill and they have got him stabilised again.

My other friend Jean has had a cough for a few weeks and I said you should see your GP about that, which she did and he confirmed she had a chest infection, so she's on antibiotic's and a nasal spray!.

So it was off to The Bridge Café on my own today, that isn't quite true, my mate Christopher was there in full voice after he had been poorly early on in the week.

 The usual gang were there having a good old sing song too.

On an earlier visit saw this chap with a monkey on his back, as they used to call a drug addiction in the old days.

 

Outside in the car park someone has tipped these chairs, not a thing wrong with them, been there since last week, if anyone wants a good pair of chairs that only need a good polish!.

Bet Sarah Moore from "Money for nothing" would love them!.

On the way to the Bridge, called at Lidl to buy this, how can they do this for 6.99!

In the week, I was at Morrison's on my own and thought I'd try the meal that my mate likes.

But it was too much for me even after taking out the sausages and some of the bacon for my cats back home, I only managed to get half way though it.

It was very nice and well worth the money but as I say too much for me.

Bet my mate David could manage one!.

This is more my mark, the kids meal (free) if you buy an adult meal!, love it and not over facing!.

Whilst there met Mr Chang from the once famous Chang restaurant on Reddish Lane, now owned by his son and extended to become the Dragon Palace if memory serves me.

He was on a mobility scooter and with his daughter-in-law and I asked him about his wife Olive an English lady and was told she had passed away some months ago, I know my mate Bob knew her and they went to the same art club in Stockport.

This passed week I've also had the windows in the back replaced, for a very reasonable price, half of what I expected!, very neat job and no decorating to do afterwards.

Dust sheets down everywhere.

Three windows done wit new spaces between the glass and vents in too.

Everything went well with all three windows done and site cleaned up in five hours.

If you are interested here is Alan's Windows number 

7933741 480.

The plant in the right bottom corner there been looking a bit drab so changed that for this.

From Morrison's at Reddish.

Whilst tidying up bought a nice new shoe rack from Amazon, got to polish all them now, a bit dusty!.

The Blue Hydrangea I bought from Amazon has just started to bud but not sure if it's going to be Blue will have to ask my pals at the Café for some coffee grains as I've read that's what it might need!.

The geraniums have been a blaze of colour, but they were only put there for this year as hopefully the Hydrangea will fill the space next year.  

So there you have it all up to date again and I'm still the last one standing HA HA.

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