Debdale Reservoirs,11.1.22.

 Down on the Ressers, today it was quite dull, but being well wrapped up, it was warm enough to sit and watch the wildlife.

Form an orderly queue, we British are noted for it, its even got a place in the 10p Alphabet coins I collect ie Q for Queuing! 

A good spot today were a couple of Male Goosanders. Unusually its the Females that are more colourful.

 If you were wondering what the females look like here is a picture of one, not mine this one!.

Look like punk rockers.

The junior Swan, doing well.

On Sunday I had a pleasant afternoon making the birthday present I got from  friend Jaquie all the way down in Cornwall, via Amazon.

Parts in the tin.

Glued the two back pieces together with the glue provided, held together with elastic bands thanks to the postmen that throw them away everyday!.

My mate Bob is an expert at using elastic bands, string and weights to hold glued things together. 

Page one of the build.

Page two of the build, good job I still have some of the clamps from my Boat building days.

Roof added, all given a good sanding with a nail file.

Then all over coating with Sand'n'Seal, get's a bit wet round here.

Finally a coat of Mahogany varnish.

The tin is even useful to take seed to the park!.

So a nice pleasant Sunday afternoon project, Thank you once again Jaquie!.

Finished this nice jigsaw, I'd treated myself to from Amazon, another Chinese one, always very good quality.

Even get a full size poster as well!.

So still keeping mind and body busy in these uncertain times, though the experts are now saying we are going from Pandemic to Endemic now, in other words we will have to get used to living will the virus same as the flu, and will be alright if we have had the vaccinations!. 

Hopefully the anti Vaccers will come to their senses and get jabbed for the safety of us all!.

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One of my birthday cards from a friend??.

 Sounds about right at times though!.

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Visit to the Debdale reservoirs, 5.1.22.

On our visit  to the Debdale reservoirs  today after lunch at the drive-thru McDonalds it was nice and sunny but still a cold nip in the air!, but we were wrapped up well and Pepe has his own build in long coat!.

That's the Pennines in the distance, the backbone of England.

This young Gull was fighting off all comers, to keep its feet out of the cold water.

Like snow, looks nice on a postcard!.

 That's the juvenile swan in the foreground.

Just been reading in the RSPB magazine that Pigeons are very intelligent and can recognise people in a crowd who feed them, I think Canada Geese are the same as these follow me round.

That's the Holiday Inn in the background, Bab's.  

This goose will even eat out of my hand, but couldn't manage a picture of that what with Pepe and the camera too.

Little Gull.

Mr & Mrs Mallard.

Great Crested Grebe.

Whilst in the park Car Park watched a chap sat at his van repairing a cycle puncture, "you've done that before said I", "Yes" he said "He keeps riding into Bramble thorns"

That's the culprit in the three wheeler, he has a motorised wheel chair as well. 

He certainly liked Pepe and had a good fuss and stroke.

Perhaps off  on the Fallowfield Link which starts here.

Back in the Car park met another lady from Reddish Vale Country Park with her Grandson, she was having a change of scenery too. 

 So another nice sunny day if you were wrapped up well.

The good news is that the days are starting to get longer now.

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Did you hear of the guy who lost his left arm and left leg in a car accident.

He's all right now!.

Or 

The guy who fell into the lens grinding machine?,

he made a spectacle of himself. 

The good news about being middle-aged is that the glass is still half full,

the bad news is that soon your teeth will be floating in it.

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Unofficial Birthday today , 4.1.22.

Well, if the Queen can have two birthdays why not us!.

So today us dog walkers had arranged to meet at the Windmill carvery in Denton to celebrate my birthday, as I'd been to my families for dinner on the day.

But horror of horrors when Pepe and I arrived at the Windmill my friends were stood outside and notices on the doors to the effect that they were closed due to Staff shortages!.

So after a discussion on where to go we decided to go to Morrisons at Bredbury as it was closer to home for everyone afterwards. 

We had coffees whilst deciding what to have and we all said we hadn't had fish, chips and peas for a long time as that's not on the menu at Pear Mill.

Whilst waiting for our meal I was given some birthday presents.

This from Mate Peter G.

These from Friend Jean.

Plus an Amazon voucher which is going to pay for a pair of slippers arriving tomorrow.

Jean's daughter down in Devon had sent me this via good old Amazon!.

So after a lovely meal of a large fish, chips and garden peas and another latté everyone was full up and didn't want a dessert, so after a good chat, as we hadn't met since before Christmas, we all went  our separate ways home!.

Well as Pepe had been in the car I decided to call at Debdale Ressers on the way home, and test out my new pocket Bino's and bird book.

The book came in handy as there were three big black birds which I was asked "What are they" by a Mother and children so was able to show them what they were and not lend them my new Bino's, they could have been mini carriers couldn't they, not being in school and all!.

So here are the cormorants they were asking about, and explained about them drying their wings out after diving, so at least they learned something today hey.

Cool but dry today.

The young Great Crested Grebes are doing well.

Male (with white on) and female Tufted Ducks 

Fancy having to sleep with one eye open all the time, in case something comes along and eats you!

This morning before going out started this nice Jigsaw which I'd bought from Amazon thinking I was running out of them, that's a laugh got plenty now!.

This is a Chinese one, which are very good value and even have a large full size poster in the box too, the last one I gave to my Elder Granddaughter as she is a school teacher and likes posters for the school walls.

  

My Goldfinches at home are doing well and I spent a couple of hours yesterday cleaning and scouring one of the bird feeders, will do the other tomorrow, thought if I took both down at once they might think I'd closed up shop on them!.

So all in all a good day was had by all, well I hope all, I certainly  enjoyed it!.

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Darth Vader to Luke Skywalker, I know what you are getting for your birthday, Luke I have felt your presents!.

Your friends and I wanted to do something special for your birthday, so we are having you put to sleep!.

Happy Birthday, you look great for your age .

Almost lifelike!

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 Happy New Year to you all!.

Started off well for us with Dinner at son's on Sunday for my Birthday, nice dinner as usual and some nice presents!.

Even put on a shirt and tie for the occasion.

This was from Son and Daughter -in- law., had read the first one, but not the second one, hope the first is as good as the second.

Grandson & wife had left me this one before going back up north to Edinburgh.

The key ring I mentioned in the last post had some more work done to it.

Strengthened round the hole as its only Plasticard. 
Painted and varnished, keys added and seems quite durable at the moment, will have to see how it goes on, might have to have a plan B.

One of my Christmas from friend Jean was this Dastardly Difficult Puzzle.

Even though only 100 pieces was quite difficult as there were no straight lines on the edges!, will keep this one too do again when I run out of puzzles to do.

Before Birthday Dinner we went to the Ressers to give Pepe a walk and feed the birds and how glad we did, because we met three ladies from our visits to Reddish Vale Country park in the past.

One of the ladies collects coins too and I had a few swops for her so I think that made her day too, doesn't take much at our ages!.

At the Ressers today saw this in the water, wonder what idiot did that, can't see it being an old age pensioner, who some of the youngsters are blaming now for spoiling the planet.

The birds enjoying the food we brought.

The Boss.

The Misses.

The Boss seeing off any competition, even if too young.

Was lucky enough to see this cormorant fishing today, got to be quick between dives.

If we hadn't been caught in a downpour, we might have got him sat out with his wings spread drying them.

Their feathers aren't as waterproof as other water fowl, that's to help them whilst diving.

If you see one, try holding your breath when they dive until they surface again, you will be surprised at how long they stay under water, also so how far away before they surface.

Noticed that the Friday club in the sailing centre has gone from Free last year, to £3 now, good job its not Pro-rata or I'd be in trouble hey!

Once again happy New Year, stay safe!.

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