How the mighty have fallen!.

How the mighty have fallen!, well it comes to all of us at some time, even though I've had my Flu Jab every year for the last umpteen years, this past few weeks I've been poorly with a bad cough and a sore throat.

It was getting so bad I finally got myself to the doctors today He said "Not been for a few years have you", "well you have been getting paid for me on your books haven't you" says I.

So after my blood pressure and temperature was found to be normal and he said I was not doing bad for my age, he then agreed that I had a chest infection and wait for it THRUSH in my throat!, "I thought only women got that" said I, No No No said he, I can't do the accent on here but you can imagine it!, Must be all the bird pictures I've been taking lately perhaps

So I'm got some antibiotics for the chest infection and some stuff to swill my throat out, "How about a booking for full MOT whilst I'm here then, good idea he said, so I'm booked in for a full check up in the next few days.

I tell you if I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have looked after myself a bit better, "Not bad for your age" he'd said, I just wish he hadn't added "for your age"!.

Last Thursday I was in Etherow with Pepe and today friend Bob had mentioned about the Mandarins he'd seen and I remembered I had some pictures of them in my camera, here they are.

A few of the other birds and wildfowl in the park.

A nice Moorhen sat in a tree

 On our walk round the lakes

Today after dinner Pepe and I had a walk round Debdale as it was nice and sunny, As Captain Mannering would say "You stupid boy!", it was a biting wind, so  stopped for a drink at Pepe's 2nd favourite place McDonald's, 1st Place goes to Etherow of course and the Sausage and Bacon Baps!.

I always want things done straight away and the first tablet in a course of antibiotics isn't going to cure me is it, so I should have stayed in,in the warm, still Pepe enjoyed it, felt sorry for him really as he hadn't been out for a couple of days, he's always exploring his garden, but they like to get out and about as much as us don't they, and I'm going stir crazy too if the truth be known.

Well that's it for now hopefully if I keep taking the tablets I will be feeling a lot better next time.

By the way got my Fibre Optic broadband today!, so the drag of uploading Video's in the past will be a thing of the past, so watch out for more video's, you have been warned!.

Noticed friend Bob's boat "The Great Eastern " had another showing on the Coast program this week, he has certainly given the Etherow Model Boat Club plenty of publicity with that model, and for years to come the way the repeats are on the telly these days!. 

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The doctor told me that as I was getting on in years, my lifestyle of wine women and song would have  to change.

"In fact you will have to give up the first two" he said "But you can still sing", only like Barry White at the moment!!.

  

 There's not much different between a toilet seat and an anniversary, men usually miss them both.

Salvador Dali took Picasso aside and said "Excuse me my friend could I have a word in your eyeball?.

Fred was an Atheist, but he gave it up, he said there were no holidays.

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Thats all for now folks!.

  

November 2014

November already hey!, where as this year gone, still I suppose it always seems to go faster when you are getting older!.

Been to my favourite place again today, yes that's it Etherow country park.

View across the lake, even a few sailors there sailing their models 

It looks like summer on the balcony of the Cafe here doesn't it, we have had some Summers in the past not this good, perhaps we are now getting our share of the Greenhouse effect at last!.

One of the regulars to the Cafe making friends with a new arrival.

A 12 week old Shar Pei, being well socialised by their owners, the lady owner is one of the cafe workers on a busman's holiday, that's an English expression for someone on their day off visiting their work place!.

I know I've published plenty of Mandarins on here in the past but just had to share these autumn pictures with you, such beautiful birds  

Stay away from my Misses, Mr Coot!.

The greenhouse effect must be having an effect on my Yew tree has it's grown another foot this year, (12 inches that is, not a foot as on the end of your leg) and there are a lot more berries this year!.

Still I'm not complaining, I'll stand this weather until the Spring!.

I was given this beautiful christmas cactus by my friend Marjorie, and it's come into bloom already and as you can see from the following picture such an unusual colour too.

I don't usually keep it on the stove, if you were thinking, no wonder its blooming early if the old fool keeps it on there 

No it's usually kept on top of the cupboard in the kitchen, the house is getting overrun with plants these days, good grief, I will have to get a grip of myself hey!. might be doing flower arranging next!.

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He said to the librarian, "I'd like a book , Something very deep".

What about 20,000 Leagues under the Sea?.

Critic; What do you consider your best work of fiction.

Author; "My Last Income Tax Return".

A woman rushed into the hardware store and said "A mousetrap please and hurry because I've got a bus to catch".

"Sorry Lady", said the shopkeeper, "None of the mousetraps we've got are big enough!.

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That's all folks   

Out and About Oct 2014

Out and About Oct 2014.

Sunday it was a trip to the lake and then up to Oldham to John & Joannes for Sunday dinner.

Nice visit as there were two Missionary sisters there as well.

John and Joanne doing the same as Velda and I did when he was on his mission, namely doing what we hoped someone was doing for our boy, giving him a decent meal now and then.

Lovely ladies, both from Utah, Salt Lake City.

One on the left was here last January and the other one is on her first placement and it was only her 3th day in England.

Both dog lovers too.

   Keep still Jessie!.

Today even though I've had the snuffles, had a trip to Etherow (Where else) there met some friends for drinks at the Cafe and then had a nice walk with Pepe round the park.

Nice time of the year as long as your wrapped up, I was putting my new coat from Aldi to the test and it turned out to be just the job, two tone green and two coats in one, wear the inner or outer or both, I do love a bargain!.

Some pictures whilst on our rounds of the lake, nice colours this time of the year hey!.

See the squirrel on the left of the tree trunk, not a very good picture, there again these are all taken with my Iphone!.

Then it was back to the Cafe for a warm drink and a toasted teacake, and there saw some other dogs.

This is a big one, rather clean up after Pepe though

Another big lad.

Pepe says "why can't you get one of these for me to ride on", Not yet my friend!, not quite ready for one of these, you will have to ask our friend Joyce for a ride on hers!.

We could have asked her later as we called in for a chat, check out the progress on Bobs current project and of course another drink.

And so to bed, always nice to know he's had a good day out.

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There was a knock at the door and Sam found himself being asked to become a Jehovah's Witness.

"I didn't even see the blooming accident" said he.

After a terrible accident at the factory where Sid fell into the upholstery machine, 

he is now fully recovered!.

There is a new organisation call AAAA

It's for people being driven to drink.

Its the way I tell em!

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New Dog Trust kennels.

Today after a run to the lake, which I wish I had'nt bothered, though I did see friends Bob and Joyce there so that made it worthwhile!, but to get back to the story I called at the new Dog Trust place in Denton that had just opened on Thursday.

What a beautiful place for any dog waiting for a new home!, I only went to have a nosy, knowing I was safe from being tempted already having Pepe, I don't think he would be very impressed sharing his pad with another dog.

Here is a few pictures from the site to whet your appetite in case you are thinking of a new friend  and companion.

What about this beauty then, always fancied a greyhound, but as this is an ex-racer perhaps he would think Pepe was the rabbit he used to run after at the track and that wouldn't be good would it.

Nice place though isn't it!.

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Sid the Spiv, said his greyhound could run like greased lightning.

He is so fast on the track that on every third lap he has to jump over himself.

 Mrs Moloney met Mrs Murphy at the market and she noticed that her friend had a puppy under her arm,

 That's a nice puppy said Mrs Moloney.

Yes I got it for Murphy said her friend.

Lucky you, I wish I could swap Moloney for one!.  

  "Lost dog" said  the newspaper notice 

Has three legs, blind in one eye, large scar on throat, right ear missing, tail broken in two places, no teeth, recently castrated.

Answers to Lucky!.

Thats all folks

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Autumn 2014.

As you can see its Autumn here in Greater Manchester and I've had Son John change the top picture to reflect that.

Pepe and I have been out and about and not let the weather deter us too much, he doesn't have too much of a say in it really does he!.

Last week he had a wash, shampoo and trim at Mucky pups in Oldham, same place John goes to with his Cockapoos, Jessie and Max.

This is Pepe before he was trimmed.

The nice tree we are in front of, I believe its a Tibetan Cherry?.

  

A walk round the lakes shows a mass of leaves that the model boat members don't like as they get into the props of their boats  

Another hybrid duck, seems to be a lot of them about this year.

Here is Pepe at his happiest, off the lead, have to watch for other dogs about though. 

All trimmed and washed.

 Sausages for a treat then?.

Stay!.

Sunday I went to Ashton Chapel as it was their 50th anniversary of the build and all round the walls in the cultural hall were pictures of people over the years.

There was all sorts of events of people over the years and there was one of my Son John in period costume!

Bishop Teal.

There was a chance to Munch and mingle afterwards, very nice.

Yesterday we went to the lake again though the weather wasn't too clever and met Bob and his wife Joyce and had a drink and a good natter at the cafe.

After a walk with Pepe got back to the Cafe and there was some good entertainment on at the side of the Cafe as two guys were cutting down a big tree!.

You have to be aware of the branch you are cutting in this job hey and no stepping back to admire you work.

On the way back to the car just in time to spot a Cormorant diving about on our boating lake, they are usually on the big lake, first time I've seen them this year.

Marjorie and I should have been going out today, but with the weather so bad we decided to give it a miss until another day, tail end of the weather from America!.

Well thats it for now folks, keep a check out for other days out and about!.

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