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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New week, 12.11.2024.

 Sunday it was stay in and do the over due house work, washing and ironing.

The moon that night.

Monday it was off to Reddish Vale Park which was very quiet, perhaps everyone was watching the remembrance service on TV there again it might have looked too cold. But I was well wrapped up and had my two minutes silence in the park.

I then decided to go on the other side of  the river which I'd not done for a while.

It was to the right on this sign to Blackberry Slopes.

Part of the Trans Pennine Way.

Its No 9 on the map or just off the map I should say!.

So under the viaduct, looks like they have been doing a bit of pointing here.

Looks like they've missed a bit here! say's Mr Magpie

View from the other side of the river it was a bit muddy on this side.

Managed to get to the large boulders and the sandy beach stretch that the kids love to paddle in but not today, in fact there was only me and the couple sat on the bench on the other side having their picnic.

I'd gone on this side as some others on the park website had added pictures of some Teal Ducks in this area and as you can guess with my surname I wanted my own pictures.

But  was out of luck on the day and there was only some Mallards well up the river.

Bath time.

So went back to the big boulders and had a sit down on my carrier bag (must get one of those cushions from Amazon) and after a while along came some Goosanders!.

The black and white ones are the males and the ones with rusty heads are the females 

 Both are very nice in their own way.

So not a bad day really and then off to Morrison's for lunch and a chat with some of the customers.

Today (Tuesday) it was off to Portland Basin and the Bridge View Café, they aren't open on a Tuesday normally but they had a party on so told us we were ok to go as well.

 It was a party of retired school teachers, perhaps on their yearly bravery awards event!, they certainly deserve one after years of teaching some of todays kids, though perhaps it wasn't too bad back in the day when they were there, who would want to do it these days!.

It was also our mate Peter's birthday and the staff brought out this nice birthday cake, only had a candle for us three, they didn't dare have a full set of candles has it might have set the place on fire!!.

We had all had plenty to eat by then so just had the After Eight Mints and he took the cake home!.

So a good time was had by all, Reddish Vale again tomorrow, weather permitting!.

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Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker

"I know what your getting for your birthday Luke" I've felt your presents"

What's the difference between cats and dogs.

dogs have owners,

Cats have staff.

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Tuesday, 5.11.2024.

 Tuesday it was down to the Vale, it was dry and  mild, but the weather is getting colder, so it was on with a jumper for the first time this autumn, so I was nice and warm with one of Velda's Arun jumpers on.

What's in the bag says this great tit?.

Plenty of these Little Grebes about and fishing well as you can see here.

Good job there's a good zoom on my camera as they are always on the far side of the pond.

A Gadwall amongst them.

Wigeon, still in it's summer plumage.

Stuck an apple on a branch thinking I would get some nice shots with the squirrels gnawing on it, but this one got it off and ran up the tree with it, 

Still had some more to cut up for the others!.

Some of the signage round the park on this picture too.

So a nice outing again.

Here is a map of the park so you can see where I've been talking about, ie Top and Bottom mill ponds.

Then off to Morrison's for lunch, got quite a few acquaintances there now and have a chat with them after they've finished eating.

My gang and I have been to the Bridge View café a few times since my last post and we have had a few guest singers with Chris our friend and semi resident singer.

Here he is in the back ground with his friend David, giving us a great rendition of Whitney Houston's "The greatest love of all", it was a great rendition too.    

      On another day it was Diane with Chris, not sure what they were singing as my hearing aids were acting up but could have been "These boots were made for walking" hey!

That's for us!.

Always a nice flower arrangement on all the tables.

Meanwhile back home I've got fed up with all the pigeons, so I've taken all the feeders down and put up this one up.

The perches only stay open for small birds and shut for Pigeons or Starlings.

It's worked!, there are no pigeons around now, take note PM Starmer, no free handouts, they go somewhere else!.

The feeder is very strong, as you can see the packaging was quite damaged, but the feeder was ok inside!.

So another nice few days!.

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I have an excellent memory except for three things; names , faces and something else.

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