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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Down the Vale today. 28.2.2025.

 It was down the vale today for the first time in about three weeks, with my car off the road, but back in action today with my new car (new to me that is).

The wildlife were glad to see me I think, they recognise the hat I suppose!.

This one reminded me of the lady in "Home alone" covered in pigeons. 

Some of the damage done during the recent storms. 

Plenty of Mandarins about on the lower mill pond.

Was surprised to see a couple of Terrapins catching a few rays, it was a lovely sunny day, but not that warm.

Plenty of Blue Tits about too, feasting on the seed and fat balls.

Cormorant on lower mill pond.

Plenty of friendly Robins.

Crow with Bourbon biscuit.

Wood pigeon.

Squirrels sharing my apple.

Great Tit 

So a most enjoyable couple of hours, suppose its not having been for a while made it more enjoyable!.

Then it was off to Morrison's to meet my mate Chris for fish and chips.

Then this afternoon my unlucky February kicked in and I fainted in the garden, it must have been too much exercise after three weeks of non at all!.

I did manage to get my hearing aids sorted out this week at Specsavers which will be a relief to the gang instead of saying "What"!! all the time.

Got some nice jazzy car mats this week too, I like a bit of bling!, also got them from Argos with Nectar points so free to me also a dashcam on nectar points too, that's them all gone now, I do love a bargain!

 How is this for a bargain, 3CD box set from the charity shop 30p, yes that's right 30pence!.

Still off to The Bridge Café tomorrow to meet the gang!.

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What do you call a person how dances on cars?,

A Morris dancer!.

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