Sunday, 2.8.2020

Sunday we went to Debdale Lower Reservoir as it was a bit safer than in the park which was heaving with the nice weather, 

Only the one young swan there on the day.

Plenty of Great Crested Grebes about.

This one was taking a Sunday afternoon nap, still thought it was a nice peaceful picture.

Freewheeling.

Then noticed the black & white on this ones back and realised it was a baby!.

From a different angle.

Got a bit nearer.

Yes its definitely a baby ridding on her back. 

These Coot youngsters are quite different in size perhaps from different broods,  

Today Monday had Lunch at Pear Mill Cafe and always look out for the Peregrines afterwards round the back.

Then near the top of the 200ft chimney was one of the youngsters, perhaps hoping mum or Dad would bring some dinner.

Will have the get into this hunting thing soon.

My garden Goldfinches are still doing well and there seem to be babies fluttering everywhere!.

The present Lego kit project.

More gears than Lewis Hamilton.

Done a bit of work in the garden this hot afternoon, was going to say I jumped into the shower afterwards, but it was more of a stagger!, terrible getting old, there again there was a rumor that all over 50s should go into Lockdown. Its the young ravers that should be doing that Boris, its them that's  flouting the law!.

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This week, 27-28. 7.2020.

Monday after a lazy morning due the the rain, we went to Pear Mill for lunch with friends, one of them took this picture of Pepe patiently waiting for his sausages. 

The current Lego model I'm on to at the moment is this Rough Terrain crane.

4,057 pieces in a very big box. 

This is the first page.

A bit more done, its very addictive.

Look at all those gears and cogs.

One of the Differential gear  boxes.

Get's more complicated.

Looks about right!.

One of the axles.

Up to today's progress, this picture so Son John can check I've got the two gear boxes the right way round as he's a lot more advanced builder than I.

This is a better picture as well, I realised that my modelling table was in front of the window and while good for seeing what your doing, the glare wasn't too good for taking pictures, will do better now I've realised the fault

Pepe's toy cupboard was given an upgrade this week as well, as the new box for the Internet was at the back and I was worried that he would pull the wires whilst getting his toys out and he get's them all out to see that I've not pinched any I think.

So there we are Pepe all the toys back in there proper place, he's a very tidy dog and puts all his toys back after hes had enough playing with them.

Tuesday.

Lunch at McDonalds again then off to John's house in Springhead, Oldham this afternoon and whilst there heard that Uppermill had been put into lockdown again though a spike in the area.

Its not over yet by a long way.

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Margin; Mothers ruin.

Oyster ; a large crane.

Karaoke; Japanese for tone deaf.

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A few hours in Debdale Park, 22.7.2020.

After wondering what the weather was going to do, we set off to the local park and the local McDonald's first of course whilst the weather settled.

As soon as the weather settled down we were off into the park, with the camera of course.

The center piece of the rose garden. 

The bowls clubhouse.

I'd thought these shelters were new that I'd posted about in a previous post, today noticed they are getting their first coat of preservative, so they were new!. 

The new normal with people meeting for the first time after lockdown perhaps. 

Nice tree framing the rose garden.

The rose beds.

This is what used to be the miniature golf course now planted up with a variety of trees and shrubs.

The paths are all clear and wide enough for social distancing, and people with electric scooters!.

The grass just been mowed so not too good for me with my hayfever.

A young magpie wanting mum to feed it.

The ice cream man doing well, of course the toilets still closed!.

Can we have one Dad.

Go on then just for you!, I don't thing!. 

Noticed this nice shrub while sat there.

The gardens here have always been kept nice, even in these economic times.

Local MP, R.I.P.

Just before heading for home, checked out the progress of the Hyde road project, doesn't seem much doing today, perhaps they were working at the other end. 

On arriving home was glad to see my Baby Goldfinches being fed by their parents.

After their feed I did a bit of pointing on my back garden flag stones, dodging  between the slight showers, still got half of it done before Pepe wanted his dinner.

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I had a Ploughman's lunch the other day, then he punched me!.

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Hyde,Today, 21.7.2020.

Today went to Hyde to collect my new specs at SpecSavers, funny these days as you had to knock on the door went it was your appointment time and a masked assistance came out and asked you what you wanted!. "My new Spec's please", "wait there" and then she brought my spec's out, "What about trying them on in case they need fitting", "they fit when you came last time didn't they"

What happened to the customer is always right!.

Had a nice walk round the outdoor market, not much doing there, so it was off to the Cafe for a bacon buttie, and very nice too!.

Off to Home bargains at the Snipe then for some bird food and something for Pepe and I for dinner, then thought blow it, I'll go and pick up Pepe and go to McDonalds.

It looked a bit overcast there so didn't chance it round the park, so no Bird pictures today.

Finished the Lego Motorcycle last night.
There are some pictures in the tab " Lego Technics" just under the main header picture.

This is the next project, 4x4 Off Roader, motorised and controlled by my iPhone!.

Some of the bits.

The differential. 

Watch here for the next phase in the build.

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Never argue with an idiot - they drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

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Lunch with friends, 16.7.2020.

Had a nice lunch with friends today that we hadn't seen since lock down began so it was a nice change, I think even the dogs seemed to like it!

Yes, it was at the Pear Mill Emporium Cafe which was our regular watering hole before the virus, so it was nice to get back and see all our  staff friends there again.

We even got a complimentary coffee each so the welcome must have been mutual.

All the serving staff  were wearing face visors and brought the meals and any sugar to the table as I suppose its not wise these days to have sugar left on the table.

After the meal and our drinks my two friends went their separate ways and Pepe and I went round the other side of the mill to see if the Peregrine Falcons were about  and managed to see a couple of the youngsters, so my distance vision is still OK, don't be fooled by the pictures as they seem quite near with my super zoom.

Think they were hoping Mum or Dad would bring them some dinner, but parents must think they are big enough to fend for themselves now

Finished the Lego car transporter!, I know son John said take your time or it could be an expensive hobby, but with the weather so bad the last few days, what do you do sit there twiddling your thumbs?

Quite complicated in some sections with all the decks and cab being able to move.

Car on top deck.

Car on top deck of trailer.

Car going up to top deck

Cab tilted.

So it's on to the next one now and hope the weather bucks up so I can get out more, then the next build will take a bit longer

Another nice surprise today, my youngest Grand-daughter texted me to let me know she got an First Class Honors degree from her university for civil engineering, so its a pink hard hat for her!.

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Teacher to pupil, "where's the English channel"?,

Pupil, "I don't know our Telly can't pick it up".

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