Weekend of 14.3.2025- 17.3.2025

  Been a good weekend with good but cool weather.

Friday 

It was down to the Vale with the camera, it was dull but at least it was dry, the wildlife were there waiting for their treats and I had plenty for them.

Had a walk round to Sunnyside pond which I'd not been to for awhile so quite nice.

The Mandarin ducks were all pairing up for the Spring get together.

This duck having a quiet nap out of the way of the squabbling Mandarins. 

This male wants two!.

 Plenty of Spring flowers about. 

Robins never disappoint, always there to be photographed. 

Woodpigeon on the feeder.

Had a quiet weekend except for our weekly visit to the Bridge Café where Brian the owner had some bad news, some woman had run into the back of his new car and then drove off!, luckily he managed to get the number of the car and a witness, he put on a brave face like you have too for the customers, but he must have been gutted, I know I would be!.

Monday

It was down to the Vale again, but didn't stay long as there was a chilly wind, The lower mill pond was full of full rounds of bread, that much that it hadn't been eaten, you can tell people it's bad for the ducks and geese, but they either ignore you or give you a mouth full!.

 I was glad I'd put on my big coat and not one of my new lighter ones I've bought from Lydl, had that in the car to change into for going to Morrison's later for lunch with my friend Chris. 

The sausage was for the local cat that visits me every day, but there was still plenty for me without it!.

Looks like the resident swans have chosen a nest site at last.

The robins never let you down with a nice pose. 

Any apple or peanuts Duckie?.

Dunnocks in the undergrowth.

You could miss them as they are always mooching in the weeds and undergrowth.

A study in patience, can stand like that for ages without moving, good for photographs hey!.

 On the way home called at my favourite charity shop and got these jigsaws for £2 each, as you can see one of them was £12.99 new!, and the others were probably more than that.

I love a bargain.

So a good weekend, only downside was, missed the blood moon got up during the night, but it was still bright yellow, I heard it wasn't until about 6-00am by which time I was out for the count asleep!.

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Monday down Reddish Vale country park, 10.3.2025.

 Had a couple of hours down the Vale on Monday, it was nice and sunny but a bit chilly if you stopped for too long. It was nice to get out again after my forced stay away, ie car and health problems.

Got my blood pressure and heart checked out at the doctors, and they were ok but need to get a blood test and 24 hour ECG test none, (blood test done last night) so its only the ECG now, that's on the 31st and they are coming to me!.

Spring on the way.

 There were plenty of terrapins out sunning them selves.

These two biggies were on the far side of the top mill pond.

The very tame squirrels.

Moorhen.

Male Mandarin Duck.

Female Mandarin Duck, not as colourful, but nicely marked.

Great Tit.

Cormorants on lower mill pond.

Cormorant on top mill pond.

Heron on top mill pond.

Friendly Robin. 

Resident pair of Swans.

Male.

Female.

So a good walk round for the exercise and got some Pix's as well!, then off to Morrison's to meet Chris for our lunch.

Talking about food how's this for a healthy tea, salad and shredded chicken.

Anyone remember those knives and forks?, got them free from petrol stations when you bought fuel!. 

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Bought my Great grandson this balance bike and took it with me when I went to Son's for Sunday dinner he loves it, the bike not the dinner.

Best buy this week from Amazon was this speaker, that boosts the sound on any phone and after my problems over the last few weeks on the phones, it's a god send!, and the price is very reasonable at £19.99.

Plays your music from your phone and any telephone chat, at home that is, as it's too big to carry in you pocket!.

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Kept wondering who this guy reminded me of!

Trying to send us back to the stone age!.

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Down the Vale again, 3.3.2025.

Had an hour down the vale today, it was a dull day but I wanted to start back on my exercising again.

Got another picture of this tree again from a better angle, the power of water, river level is still quite high.

Looking like spring is on the way.

Has he got peanuts today?.

Was looking like the resident swans were looking at places for their nest site today.

Collection of tufted ducks on top mill pond.

Male Mandarin duck.

Female Mandarin duck.

Squirrel enjoying a peanut.

Squirrel enjoying a piece of my apple, think it was trying to wedge it there and come back for more.  

This crow showing how quick it could get into a peanut.

Nice blackbird, don't see many about at the moment, or I haven't been there to see them.

So it was then off to Morrison's to meet my mate Chris, but no fish and chips today until my blood pressure is back to normal, perhaps not even then, quite enjoyed the salad for tea tonight, no coffee either, tea from now on!.
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I've got to watch myself these days,

it's too exciting watching anyone else!.

The older you get, the longer it takes to get over ta good time.

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Need a singer for your Do!.

This guy is the bees knees!.

My mate and next door neighbour.

see him any Tuesday at "Pear Mill Café" or Thursday's at "The bridge café"  Ashton!,

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