Nice day at the lake

Nice day at the lake, 4th  Dec 2014.

Just back from a trip to the lake, and after a walk for Pepe we were sat at the Cafe chatting with friends from what I call the"breakfast club", when I saw the Campervan of my friends Bob and Joyce arrive!.

Bob came over for two coffee's as he had drained off the water in the camper, it got well down on the old thermometer last night!, "Come over for a spot of lunch Duckie" he said, "I'll be cooking shortly", not one to miss a free meal, saves me cooking, well microwaving that is, not real cooking that is it!.

Joyce and I  had a nice beans on toast, whilst Bob had spaghetti, then it was Rice pudding for afters and another coffee from the Cafe, Nice one Bob!.

It was ideal watching the sailors sailing their boats through the windows of the camper, better than out in the cold, my throat isn't quite up to this weather yet, I know it sounds like I'm a bit of a wimp but you have to watch yourself these days don't you especially when you already have a bad throat.

This past week we went to the Club Christmas dinner, if you want to see the event in glorious colour Click here.

  

A couple of days ago on a trip round the lake I spotted this cute little duck having a bath, even in this weather they have to clean and oil their feathers to keep waterproofed don't they!.

 Splash it all over, Essence of Etherow.

Got to get every feather 

Yes, loverly Jubbly 

 Cheeky thing, sticking his tongue out at me, perhaps he didn't want to be watched at his ablutions, I was quite a long way away with my telephoto lens though!.

View across the big lake, looks cold hey!

 Any bread mate?.

 Back to the Cafe for a hot drink and a sandwich, "Sausage please" say's Pepe!.

By the way my cholesterol was 6.1 said the doctor, so it's watching what I eat from now on, trouble is everything you like is bad for you isn't it!

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The lady of the house called Jeeves into her bedroom and said "Jeeves, please unzip my dress" with a great deal of embarrassment he did so.

"Now Jeeves" she said, "Take off my stockings".

Jeeves was now in a sweat.

"And now take off my underwear"... and if I ever catch you wearing them again you will be instantly dismissed"!.

My uncle worked as an espionage agent at the mint. He was a Mint Spy.

Most young blokes stop looking for work the moment they get a job.

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Thats it for now folks.

Leading up to Christmas.

Leading up to Christmas.

Well wouldn't you know it, leading up to Christmas my microwave went on the blink, still I suppose I can't complain as it was getting on for 20 years old, or was it?, did we have microwave in this country then.

If everything we bought lasted 20 years we would be quite pleased I suppose!.

Looks a lot lighter now as the old one was dark brown and fitted the hole with an inch to spare all round, this one has a bit more circulation round it, ie safer really.

Whist out this past Tuesday found this rather nice pot in a local charity shop and thought it would look nice for one of my Mother-in- Laws tongues and it does!,

My Mother-in-law was never this nice!.

It was Pepe's day for his wash and trim at Mucky Pups in Oldham, it was a bind getting there for 9-00 O'Clock but its worth it as Kate the groomer does a great job on Pepe and he doesn't seem to mind going there which is the main thing, booked he in for the next two sessions as Kate seems to be booked up quite early these days, must be a lot more contented owners out there.

On the way home we called at Addisons Pet shop in Lee's, Oldham, and bought Pepe a new Bed and Bandana collar, both the old bed and collar were looking a bit worse for wear, also bought a new extendable lead, No not one of those flirty things that most owners seem to be unable to control and get wrapped round everyones legs, this one is a training lead that will fit round the chairs at the Cafe in the park, Pepe isn't the training type, I don't think Chihuahua's are, but there again we understand each other that's the main thing and I'm not one for doggie tricks.

So that's his Christmas presents sorted!. I wonder what he will be buying Me!.

My blood tests turned out to be all clear, which is nice to know but the receptionist did say the Doctor will be phoning me to talk about my cholesterol, that's nice of him isn't it!, I suppose he is going to tell me that everything I like is bad for me and to cut out all the bacon and Sausage Butties, there goes the profits at the lakeside Cafe hey!.

Still nice to know I'm fit, but it would be nice to remember what for!.

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Surgeon to his assistance as he begins an operation,

"Hows that for openers"

The first time Gladys saw her husband he was outside a junk shop picking his teeth.

Then he went in and bought them!

Sid described the bump on his head as a glancing blow,

 "The wife caught me glancing at a Blonde.

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Thats it for now folks. 

Rachel's 21st party

Friday the 21st Nov 2014 was my granddaughters 21st birthday, doesn't that make you feel old when your grandchildren reach that age!.

Well on the Saturday (22nd) we all went to the Amaani Indian restaurant on Lees Road, Ashton, it used to be the Turnpike pub for those of you that know the area.

It was a first for me I can tell you, but I was pleasantly surprised at the food ( I did have an English dish though as did the other granddad) and the place didn't reek of curry!.

Click here to see a short video of the event.  

A few pictures of those present for those that couldn't make it through distance or other reasons.

Missed but not forgotten on the night I'm sure, Grandson Jacob on his mission in Greece.

Birthday girl with her proud parents.

And with her beautiful sister and other granddad.

Some of the extended family.

My beautiful lady friend Marjorie too.

A wonderful time and meal was enjoyed by everyone and we all stayed until chucking out time!.

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Out and about has seen Marjorie and I visit the garden centre at Wyevale in Marple, though at this time of the year we should be calling them the Christmas centres!, I suppose its good for them as there aren't any plants being bought at this time of year, so to diversify for them is good.

I'm sure you've seen enough of pictures of us, but just wanted a picture of the moving diorama, real cute hey.

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On the outdoor front,

 Yes I'm getting out and about again after my chest infection which seems to have cleared up nicely.

At the lake saw this nice Robin.

Well every on takes them from the front don't they?, so thought I would be different, thats my excuse and I'm sticking too it!.

Then Pepe spotted a squirrel, good job he was on his lead, but I don't think even he could eat a full one!.

 Even the Bees are still out and about seen in and out of their nest in this split in a tree trunk in Debdale carpark near to McDonalds.

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Sam was in hospital and on the end of his bed was a chart with lots of complaints listed on it.

Most of the nurses had written something on it!.

Recovering from an operation in a bush hospital, Farmer Ted  asked why the blinds were drawn.

"Well" explained the Doctor,"Theres a bush fire outside and I didn't want you to wake up and think the operation was a failure"!.

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That's all for now folks.

Health update

Health update.

As an update to my last post, I've been to the Doctors for my MOT and seen the very nice nurse, and whilst she was chatting to me and asking me what I was doing the rest of the day, I said why what time are you off work?, but I then realised she was only taking my mind off what she was doing. "You can go now" she said!, "but I've come for the blood test!", then the little vampire held up three vials of blood she had taken out of me whilst I was taking the P** out of her!.

So now its just a case of waiting for the results!!.

My chest infection seems to have responded to the antibiotics and the Thrush in my throat that at the time I thought was more like a Buzzard has also got a lot better, though I am not being silly and keeping away from the lake for a few days until I'm 100%.

Saw this Picture on my Son John's facebook page and thought it looked a lot like my lad Pepe.

 Its from a site called Dirds 

Click here to view more pictures of Dirds

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There are probably better cures for a cold than three whiskies, but who cares.

I used to be an all round athlete. Now I'm just all round.

Doc: "Do you suffer from stress"

"No, but I think I'm a carrier".

People who say they are going on a diet are just Wishful Shrinkers!.

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Thats all folks 

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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