Last day of July, 31.7.26

 As it was the last day of July thought I'd better get over to the Debdale reservoir to see how the swan family were getting on.

First saw this nice moorhen picking though the stones for crustaceans and seeming to be doing very well. 

Then this Canadian goose family came rushing over, "come on kids, the chap with the hats here with seed, much better for you than bread"

Loads of pigeons as usual.

Was a nice sunny day but looked a bit overcast at times, I think that was wishful thinking on my part as we've not had any rain for weeks, only a bit of showers during the night, but still not enough for the gardens or to damp down the moors to stop anymore fires!.

  Still the kids from the sailing club were having a good time and keeping cool.

This bush on the waters edge was doing well and in full flower.

This Great Crested Grebe was making me yawn as well watching it.

Babies need their rest.

Time for an afternoon nap.

Thank goodness the kids have nodded off, can grab 40 winks myself.

Still have to watch out for those pesky gulls though!.

          The Swan family with their three babies are doing well though the babies are looking very grown up now!

Just one of the many young gulls on the water.

This Thursday at the Bridge View café was packed out as there was Morris dancers and clog dancers performing, and the Tameside mayor was there.

Today (Saturday) was a lot better with fewer there and our new friend  Gabbi who lives in one of the flats above the museum came down in a wheelchair has she'd got an injury behind her knee, didn't stop us having a good chat though.

She is becoming an avid Amazon as my friend Jean and I are!.   

Back home my front garden is looking very colourful!.

Can't say the same for my neighbors though, as you can see, it's Pakistani style perhaps.

Got a new style hat, everyone certainly noticed me today at the Café.

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23.7.2026.

Yesterday (Wednesday) went down the Vale, not been for a few weeks as the weather has been too hot for me!.

First to be seen was two cormorant's on the lower mill pond,

From a distance they look all black, but close to they are quite colourful.

These baby mallards are cute!

 Top mill pond was quite full of wildlife. 

There you go heron, swan and mallards all on one picture.

Then dad came down to see what all the fuss was about. 

And it was me feeding Mum and the five babies.

This is a male mandarin, those with all the beautiful colours , but he's done his job for this year so its back to being like the females, you can still tell them apart  by their colourful beak!.

Female mallards preening.

It was amusing watching the squirrels trying to get to the monkey nuts ahead of the crows

Didn't have much chance though.

Throw some a bit nearer mate!.

The pigeons are always at it aren't they.

This Little Grebe struggling though the algae, which is everywhere at the moment with no rain to help the water flow. 

Back home bought a clematis "Josephine" which died on me at the end of last year. 

So this one is going onto the trellis on the right there.

Son John sent me this picture of his cockerpoo Max.

Was at the Bridge View café today, it was full to bursting with my mate Christopher singing today.

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