Wednesday, 20.4.22.

 Didn't feel like going out today, the forecast for Hay fever was high and my arm was still aching from the Jab yesterday, but Pepe kept running back and forth to the front door and giving me that Look!, you will know which one I mean if you are a doggy person!.

You can't waste this good weather either can you, knowing Manchester it could be raining tomorrow, even snowing!.

So it was off to McDonalds where they know us now and my bag was quite heavy and when we got to the park Car park found they had given me a treat of 5 chicken selects instead of 3!, very good of them but wasted on me really as I struggle to eat 3 pieces, still nice of them.

See this doggy walkers van here most days, all the people that bought dogs during lock down will have to use these services now they have to go back to work.

As usual I took the camera, never go without as you never know what you will see. We had a short walk onto the Lower Reservoir and there was the first Mallard Duckling I've seen this year and mother brought the little one over to show it off.

There was only the one, they can have as many as 14 which I've seen in the past, there again its big broods, as a lot don't survive long with all the predators about. Magpies can clear a nest out in no time!.

Dad in attendance.

Proud Mum.

Slow down Mum.

That lake must seem huge to something so small.

So as usually happens, making the effort payed off.

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Spring Booster Vaccination, (AKA Old codgers 4th Jab). 19.4.22.

 Today had my Spring Booster, or if you like my 4th Old codgers jab!.

Was quite painless in every way, from the booking on-line via the NHS letter I received in the post with a special number on, to getting a place booking at the local chemist Opp the site of the Fir Tree Pub, which by the way is no longer there and no signs of any building work, had heard it was going to be a Lidl!.

The jab was painless too, had arrived early but no one there, so was whipped straight in and booked to my GP though the numbering on my letter and even stopping on the way home at the local charity shop was still home before my original appointment time!.

Feeling like a second hand dart board now with all these jabs!.

 Then it was pick up Pepe and off to McDonalds for lunch then into the park.

The big boss swan was in attack mode and chasing all the other young ones up the lake and then flying back.

Gerr off!.

A bit scary with that coming at you.

Look at the span of those wings.

Must have been tired out with all that chasing and flying about.

Courting couple.

Who's a pretty boy then!.

Cloudy, but quite warm for a change.

Colourful at the Nature Centre.

Coffee shop doing a good trade, not me though, like McDonalds too much.

Ring necked Parakeet, Male.

Blue Tit.

Great Tit.

Nuthatch.

Another blue Tit.

Away from The Maddening Crowds.

Pepe keeps wanting to go towards that Sign!.

Top hole is the one the parakeets nest in, but the bottom one has become a bees nest with hundreds of them flying about.

Nice on the water.

The big red one.

The moon on Saturday night, that's a huge crater on the bottom right isn't it, perhaps like the one here that saw off the Dinosaurs!.   

Over the weekend we met our friends at Pear Mill Café and had a good natter and put the world to rights.

Good selection of clothes in there too, probably only worn once hey.

  Saw the Peregrines again, very vocal on Saturday.

Blood on his Claws.

So a good bank holiday weekend though we didn't go out on the Sunday too many people about in the park so no wildlife present.

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Seen in Debdale Nature Centre.

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Old Codgers Day out, 13.4.22.

 Today it was off  early to Oldham with Pepe to the Dog Groomers, he's not too bothered going has he's been going there for 9 years now though there has been a change of groomer last year.

On the way dropped off some Jigsaws at the charity shop they came from, and picked up a couple more as we were running out at home.

This one for £2.

The bargain of the day was this one, with 4 X 1,000 puzzles!, couldn't believe my luck! at £2.

Dropped Pepe off at the groomers and went to the Village Manor Bakery just up the road, in the Café had a nice bacon muffin and a coffee.

Now that's a bacon muffin David, with plenty of scraps on the side for Pepe as he would have been upset smelling bacon on me and having not saved him some.

 Went though the archway into the bakery and got an apple pie and a sausage roll to take out.

Then a call from the Groomer, Pepe was ready after a wash and trim and nails cut all for £20!.

After popping home for a drink for us both (as Pepe won't drink anywhere but home?) then it was off to the ressers at Debdale for a walk round.

Plenty of activity on the lake.

A family were feeding the ducks and swans with Bread! of all things, but didn't want to know it was bad for them.

The elder Male only wanted to know who they belonged too, as they ate them where they came from, where's that said I, Albania said he, I said most Swans where owned by the Queen, "how does she know how many she owns?" I said "They are all tagged" so she will know if any go missing!!, Hopefully that will stop him going back tonight!!.

Not many other birds about what with the crowds and the kayakers.

Pair for Mallards relaxing in the sun.

The Holiday Inn from the water side.

Had Sweet & Sour Chicken and Rice for tea,

 And a third of the apple pie with Ice cream for afters!.

look at all the filling in that Bob.

So not a bad day out, doesn't take much at my age these days!.

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