Been a nice weekend, 29-31.3.2025.

 Saturday, me and the gang were at The Bridge View café where we had an Afternoon Tea Set Meal for Jean's birthday and as usual the owners and staff did us proud with the meal which consisted of sandwiches, cakes, savouries. 

Our friends from Pear mill Café (The ex-owners, Helen & Rachel)  turned with cards and pressies too, there was enough for them to join in with us with unlimited drinks, Tea and Coffee.

Those people at the small table left and the staff moved that table next to ours for Helen and Rachel so they were in the party too.

Every one left with boxes of stuff after we couldn't eat any more, then scones, cream and jam came out Phew!!.

The owners Claire and Brian gave Jean a card and present too! 

Today I went down to Reddish Vale where I met a few photographers I hadn't see for a while so that was nice.

Spot the cormorant!.

No, well there you are a bit closer with my zoom.

I'd mentioned in my last post about the resident swans nest was refurbished and whether the swans would except it!, 

Well today they were in the nest, (well the female was) and Ivan was on patrol round and round making sure she wasn't disturbed!.

 Someone on the website had posted a picture with Ivan getting it on with her so with a bit of luck we might be seeing some cygnets this year.

Heron on top mil pond.

Greedy guts.

Great Tit, is it safe?.

This pigeon couldn't wait for me to throw the seed.

Back home out in the garden it was still nice and sunny so it was out with the garden chair, and would you believe it there was Smokey my kitty friend on the fence to say hello. 

He didn't stay there long as he knows he doesn't get any food in the back garden, so knowing I was home, he shot round to the front garden where I felt obliged to give he something!. 

Alfie has been out in his pen a lot the last few days has it's been so nice and sunny, it's closed off from any cold wind as well.

Got plenty of dandelions in his pen to at the moment. 

Alfie's dinner today.

My dinner today, not much difference is there, been trying to eat more healthy since my passing out in the garden a few weeks ago!.

No alcohol since then too!!. 

 I got this small chain saw from Amazon yesterday and with the last few days on special offers what was £54 turned out to be £34, what's not to like with that! 

Two batteries, charger, two Chains, tools, safety goggles, oil and all in a fancy box, how do they do that, all the way from China!.

Tried it out today and it goes though tree branches like butter, up to 6inches!, I love it and it's only 2.5 kgs..

Got though a lot of tree branches with the first battery and in the mean time the other one was charged up! which didn't take long.  

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Down the Vale, 24.3.2025.

 After a quiet weekend it was off to Reddish Vale on Monday and it was quite busy as it was a nice sunny day.

The RSPCA were there replacing the swans nest site which was looking worse for ware!.

It gave the people there something to watch as the old platform was removed and a new one put into position.

Even got a little ramp on this one.

That's how you get out, but the first chap has to go out on his own hasn't he.

Swans wondering if it was going to take much longer before they could inspect the new site.

Plenty of Terror-pins out enjoying the sunshine, I know that's not how you spell it but if you were a duck with a nest full of eggs you would think that!

These larger ones are on the top mill pond.

A Blue tit getting into the seeds.

Squirrel wondering whether to eat the peanut or bury it for later, in the end buried it and came to see if I had another.

Chaffinch not seen many of these about lately.

Today, Monday it was off to Morrison's to meet friends for lunch, luckily the 52 cafés Morrison's are closing, (same as Sainsbury's) are not ours at Bredbury and Reddish thank goodness!.

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If you look like our passport photograph you probably need the holiday!.

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Weekend of 14.3.2025- 17.3.2025

  Been a good weekend with good but cool weather.

Friday 

It was down to the Vale with the camera, it was dull but at least it was dry, the wildlife were there waiting for their treats and I had plenty for them.

Had a walk round to Sunnyside pond which I'd not been to for awhile so quite nice.

The Mandarin ducks were all pairing up for the Spring get together.

This duck having a quiet nap out of the way of the squabbling Mandarins. 

This male wants two!.

 Plenty of Spring flowers about. 

Robins never disappoint, always there to be photographed. 

Woodpigeon on the feeder.

Had a quiet weekend except for our weekly visit to the Bridge Café where Brian the owner had some bad news, some woman had run into the back of his new car and then drove off!, luckily he managed to get the number of the car and a witness, he put on a brave face like you have too for the customers, but he must have been gutted, I know I would be!.

Monday

It was down to the Vale again, but didn't stay long as there was a chilly wind, The lower mill pond was full of full rounds of bread, that much that it hadn't been eaten, you can tell people it's bad for the ducks and geese, but they either ignore you or give you a mouth full!.

 I was glad I'd put on my big coat and not one of my new lighter ones I've bought from Lydl, had that in the car to change into for going to Morrison's later for lunch with my friend Chris. 

The sausage was for the local cat that visits me every day, but there was still plenty for me without it!.

Looks like the resident swans have chosen a nest site at last.

The robins never let you down with a nice pose. 

Any apple or peanuts Duckie?.

Dunnocks in the undergrowth.

You could miss them as they are always mooching in the weeds and undergrowth.

A study in patience, can stand like that for ages without moving, good for photographs hey!.

 On the way home called at my favourite charity shop and got these jigsaws for £2 each, as you can see one of them was £12.99 new!, and the others were probably more than that.

I love a bargain.

So a good weekend, only downside was, missed the blood moon got up during the night, but it was still bright yellow, I heard it wasn't until about 6-00am by which time I was out for the count asleep!.

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