Queens Park Bolton

24th February 2012
Another busy couple of weeks again . Finally found someone to take the greenhouse off my hands. I want  a secluded patio  on the back garden and the site where the greenhouse sits is well suited to just that. Gave it  away to a School Project and  they came, dismantled and removed the greenhouse  but for a few damaged panes of glass all was transported ok.  I haven’t really used the greenhouse for a few years. When I first  retired I grew tomatoes and various vegetables, cultivated  bedding plants  from seed and really enjoyed the process.But over time and due to all the travelling I was doing I couldn’t spend as much time as I should and it all became to much for me.  It laid dormant for many years, slowly filling up with  stuff so  I feel good that it will now be useful to the school.

February is my birthday month I am an Aquarian and as many of you know already,  a  Valentine’s Day Baby.  So for a week I was frequently out to lunch  and received some wonderful gifts from my friends.One such gift was an Orchid ( Phalaenopsis ) with specific instructions on how to look after it. Did you know it feeds of air and you only water them once  a month. I hope it survives as I am being tested.!!!
Was taken out to a  local restaurant  The Chinese Buffet  by my eldest son.it was very thoughtful of him and I  enjoyed the meal.   I also attended a lunch at the Student Catering Department at the University Around twenty five ladies from our Women’s .Institute ( W.I.) go there once a year and its usually excellent food and service, but not so this year. Unfortunately they  had numerous problems, much of the menu was off, and we had  exceptionally long periods between courses. I suspect there was a gremlin in the kitchen,thankfully there was a  good atmosphere all round but a few chose to go home with there dessert in containers. I felt sorry for the students as it was their day to shine.

At last my cooker hood is in-situ, and the cupboard  over the cooker is to be re-sited on the opposite wall.  Looks good, I like it, thank you  Andrew and Alan, much appreciated.

We has a couple of sunny days this  week and I am so pleased the evenings are coming light again,its so depressing when its dark by 4pm. Happily bulbs are showing and in some areas blooming, which is remarkable after the horrendous cold weather we have had. Took a walk through Queens Park on Sunday as it was a lovely sunny day to check on the restoration work that has been underway. Looks rather bleak at the moment until the colour come back in the spring. The children’s areas is finished and the duck pond looks much better but its still sad a reflection of the times,no money for its maintenance.   I remember Queens Park being the pride of Bolton with its acres of green grass, neatly trimmed lawns, beautiful floral displays and  a  children‘s  paddling pool. There was enough gardeners to keep it looking good all year round. The outdoor Music Auditorium has gone, no more music in the park, wonderful memories.. When we lived near by as children it was our playground, such happy times, but it has been sadly neglected for many years and it will never be quite the same again..  

Started as a Volunteer at Harwood Library, it will take some getting used to as its rather compact and small. The staff are friendly but I miss Castle Hill.  I will be joining the staff for a farewell dinner this Friday,they have been moved to other  Libraries in the town but non to Harwood...

My Back Garden

8th February 2012

At long last the snow arrived  on the 4th February and the country came to a stand still.  Cars where backed up for 24hrs on  a fairly gentle slope near my house, unable to go any further. The phenomena these days in the UK when snow is predicted, people storm the supermarkets and  buy a mountain of  provisions as though life will be on standby for weeks. If fact that rarely happens here, the roads will soon be clear. The gardens look pretty  though covered  with deep pristine snow especially when the sun shines.

Last  Friday whilst I was  out shopping   I locked my  keys in the car. Stranded miles from home I rang around for help but no one was answering my call. There was a café nearby  so decided to have lunch and try again later. Fortunately some one did ring back and I got a lift home to collect my spare set.  Never has this happened to me before, I felt so impotent and stupid for rest of the day  but now can laugh about it  as another senior moment.

Monday I attended Bolton Speakers Club as my friend Betty was taking her B9  “Audience Rapport” her excellent speech was being used for the Speech Evaluation Competition so I took part and even though its almost three years since I did any evaluations, most of it  came back to me and I enjoyed the challenge. It was good to see everyone again, I will pop in now again to get back into the swing of things, but I don’t intend to take part in any of the events until the session starts again in September.

Busy day up in the loft sorting again which stuff to throw away and which to keep.  I know full well when I pass over, it will all be disposed of but then I won’t know, or I don’t think I will !
My grandson came for tea again this week, he is such a darling and doing so well at school.  I am hoping this will become a regular thing now he is getting older and able to make choices.

Finally decided on a cooker hood for my new cooker (12 months old.) it’s a stainless steel  chimney hood, very superior, I can’t wait to see it in-situ. But we have to move a overhead cupboard to make room for it, how long that will take is another story.

This week it was good to hear for my cousin Pam in Cornwall she sounded great and I had a long chat with Cathi in Perth, that cost me, but was worth it.  I must remember to get a Tesco International Calling Card which allows cheap calls abroad, it’s  recommended as the best deal. I have Skype on my PC but it requires some degree of organisation to work well and we are just not that organised.
Every one is well and  keeping busy which is  a comfort in this very difficult time. I hope that the government will honour their promises and not bow down to  pressure from other governments. Iran is very volatile, Argentina is  threatening we do not want any more conflict and the EEC well that's a constant problem. Now Scotland wants independence !

6th February  1952 marks the ascension day of   Queen Elizabeth 11 she has been  the British Monarch  for 60years and still going strong . I am not a royalist but I do admire her strong dedication to her  role,she is 'dedicating herself anew' as diamond jubilee year begins, so I assume Charles is just not ready.






I have settled into my new  mentoring of PC beginners at St Vincents.   My first session was overwhelming with nine eager learners, but I have been able to reduce the numbers by organising a more structured programme, concentrating  first on those with basic needs and providing a programme of exercises for others with various computer skills.   Looking forward to starting at another Library on the 14th February. I was sad to  finish  at Castle Hill  I was so comfortable there, the staff where my friends, but they  close in two weeks and hopefully one or two may follow me to Harwood..