November Fog

Jumping and jiving

Christmas Lights

21st November

Our Annual Remembrance Day Service  on Sunday was not as dynamic this year.   The absence of  Military Bands was a significant mistake, replaced by a small civic band that did not add anything to the parade . The audio system was very poor so too, I feel music makes a   huge difference to parades so it was a deep disappointment this year. We should honour our fallen soldiers with dignity and pride but it was rather flat on Sunday..  The following day Dorothy and I travelled into Manchester on the Metro to meet up with friends, who we will be on holiday with next year in France. We had  rather a long lunch in a good little Italian Bistro in the  city centre and talked for hours.  Then we had a mooch round the shops, but we weren’t very interested as it was far too busy. The  city and  shops where festooned with colourful fairy lights and Christmas decorations already  six weeks before Christmas ! Unbelievably I saw at the beginning of November a house  excessively decorated with coloured lights with Ornamental Features and a Christmas Tree in the garden,  people go mad  these days  but how they can afford the electricity is beyond me.  Any way I had a good shop this week and  found some brilliant bargains in Bolton 40% off.  Last week I  ordered some new spectacles so was excited to collect them, Johnny Depp style I wanted a complete change I had taken ages to choose a pair of  bottle green frames.. and I love them.

It was my youngest grandson’s  9th.birthday on the 18th  he is a keen football fan and wanted a Barcelona  Football strip, what a rip off they are, but what does it matter really, as long as he is happy.  Went up to Knaresborough that weekend in  sunshine until I  met with heavy fog coming over the Yorkshire Moors. Fortunately I had arranged to stay over and came home Sunday afternoon before it got dark,
It was  foggy  all over the North West, it  was so bad that planes where grounded and ferries stationary. through till Monday.   We couldn't go on our usual walk with Bob it was so bad, so I finished reading my book, the last one in the  Millennium Trilogy an excellent  read  I am sorry its ended.

Had a real nightmare with my internet connection for three days this month. The router would cut out repeatedly and then run smooth for  a couple of hours then start cutting out  again  every few minutes .. I rebooted it, changed all the filters around on my phone connections, checked the cables and became more and more frustrated.  After 24hours I was convinced  it was  a fault on the phone line, so I rang Talk Talk my Internet Provider .  They where quite polite and efficient in  suggesting I go through the procedures I had already  performed and would not accept it was an unstable phone line. Eventually they agreed to check my line and there you are, the internet has now been stable for the past 12hrs hours!!!!.

 A friend of mine has been planning to start a Modern Jive Event in  a local venue and at the last moment asked me to help out on the first night. Well it was a great success I really enjoyed myself, the music was lively and up beat and some of the couple were exceptional dancers, a joy to watch.  I did start to learn French Jive in 2001  but found  it  far too energetic, I couldn't cope with some of the moves that made me   dizzy,but I might give it another try and try to avoid the whirling around…..  So I am on the door  collecting the money, for as long as I want to be. ….

Tomorrow is  the "National Strike Day" throughout the UK. Some Head Teachers and  many of their staff, nurses  ambulance and health care professionals and  people in the public sector come out in protest of the  Government’s decision to  increased pension  contributions and extended the retirement age. Schools are closed and many offices and services will be affected.  In view of the recent Riots and Marches we have experienced this year I do hope they don’t attract the  kind of nutters that take advantage and make more trouble.

(This link will give more insight into the Governments   Pension Policy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-15909788

Bonfire Night

Bonfire

Fireworks

                                                                 
10th November

Hi everyone
Well the bike rides will have to stop until maybe Spring as  I came off the bike and cut my knee and hurt my shoulder. The accident was due to a combination of rain, autumn leaves, a sharp incline plus fatigue.Also the week before I was chased and bitten on the leg by a small terrier, fortunately I wore waterproof over pants so no teeth marks but a far sized bruise.  Later in the week we had a beautiful sunny day so I took a trip out to Bury and had a good mooch around the shops and open market, bought some neat shoes and a sweater then  lunch before catching the bus home. I like to travel by bus into town as its such a hassle parking when you have to constantly be aware of the time. Parking  fines can be as much as £60 if you overstay the time and  we have very diligent Parking Wardens , I think many must be on commission. After being fined three times in one year I now use the bus into town is less stressful and its free for us oldies.
 
  I am feeling rather good now that Dorothy and I have booked our  summer holiday,its always seems  such a chore when there are so many choices. This was my first choice touring  Southern France and the Pyrenees with  PTG Rail and Culture, it will be our fourth tour with them .We are joining up with friends from previous trips, it going to be exhausting but fun, first class all the way..

Caught up with  a few friends this past week who I haven’t seen for ages and  cuddled a darling baby boy that really made my day. Said  ‘Bon Voyage to close friends who escape the cold by  wintering in New Zealand, I will miss them as it feels good to have them in my life but they will back in April brown as nuts..
Had my annual  flue jab,thankfully there is a reports of a 'One Off'  flue vaccine being available soon …. good I hate needles.

There was a horrendous multiple car crash on the M5 motorway this past week, which could have been caused by a stray firework and smoke from a  nearby bonfire could have added to the already poor visibility due to the weather, and  lack of lights on the motorway.  I was anxious  for a while because my brother and his wife where staying in the area and I thought  they may have been travelling that stretch of motorway, until they contacted me to say they where home earlier.…  many town councils due to the economic downturn  have been  reducing /removing lighting from motorways and roads,not a good idea.  I frequently travel home from visiting  my son in  Yorkshire and driving over the unlit Yorkshire Moors without the aid of the moon, in total darkness is not  good. Even with headlights and full beam its still not enough especially when a boy racer is on your back. I  do use the  Motorway sometimes but it  a longer journey  and there are unlit stretches on there too.  I must be getting old??
This month I have been able to help a couple of my friends with computer problems . It always amazes me how much I know about basic computing but I admit, there is much more  I don’t know. So  I am frequently faced with is a challenge that I really enjoy completing...



This is the itinerary of my holiday ------  
 http://www.ptg.co.uk/tours/SouthernFrance2012.pdf  

Go visit Bury Market -----
http://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4184

This is the history as to why we light bonfires and fireworks every year on the 5th November

'Remember Remember the Fifth of November
Gunpowder Treason and  Plot'

http://www.bonfirenight.net/  

British Summertime clocks fall back

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl Who Played wuth Fire

Wild wet and windy again but I went on my bike ride, as I  had set myself a task  and I saw it through.
Kept up with everyone and really enjoyed myself ,the only thing  was my bottom was sore for days afterwards. My second ride was much easier,the weather was fair and there was no wind this time.   Incredibly we have had  some  warm sunny days I have been  able to mow the grass, the gardener didn`t come as promised, oh well at least the garden is  sorted for the winter. I hope that was the last mowing until the spring though... The clocks have gone back one hour this morning Sunday 30th October,  now we have less daylight time and the nights will  seem endless, its so depressing. I wish they  would leave the clocks alone.. they keep threatening but its still happening.

 http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst/
 (this website will explain in more detail why we have British summertime.)

Met up with my school friends for lunch last week. During the summer there is always someone away on holiday and I haven't been around for ages, but we had a full house,ten this time and lots of  news to share.  Its been rather quiet otherwise, I have settled into  reading the Girl Who Played With Fire, it’s the second novel in  the Millennium Series by the Swedish writer Stieg Larsson who sadly died after finishing the Millenium Trilogy.  I enjoyed reading  `The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ on my Kindle and  have downloaded this  next book from Amazon for £3.50 a real bargain.  I find the Kindle so easy to read, I  carry it around in my bag for those moments when I can relax and read a chapter or two.
Managed to get to the cinema to see the film “Anonymous”  an excellent film, which I  would have enjoyed  much more if the film hadn’t  repeatedly jumped back and forward in time, I was constantly uncertain who was who until the very end. May be I need to see it again.  Whether fact or fiction the film raises the issue on who  was the original author  of all  Shakespeare’s  work,it certainly makes you doubt history.

Feeling much better and back in my routine

Our walk took us under the Railway Bridge

Into the meadows

And on  to The Travellers Rest

Bob Cook on the terrace waiting for his lunch

Went up to Knaresborough in sunshine and showers we had intended to go walking but hesitated at first as the weather was unsettled but we decided to risk it and to our surprise the sun came out.. Stue took Sara, Bob and me on a mystery tour in and around Rudding Park and the Great North Yorkshire Showground . It was a very hot day and we where soon in need of something to drink and shade so we stopped at The Travellers Rest and had lunch on the terrace. A very pleasant day I enjoyed the drive and the walk and most important the company. . Monday I attended my friend’s Book Launch at Bury Library. Gemma is a very talented and entertaining young poet and I am more than pleased to have a book of her poems. She has a very distinctive gritty slant on everyday life.

Treated myself to a TV for the bedroom, with integral DVD and USB point for downloaded Movies Music from the internet. I am getting ready for this Artic weather that is on its way. Cosy nights snuggle up in bed watching a good movie.
I had a big shock Friday, a good friend of mine, had double bi-pass surgery following a sudden heart attack, it was so unexpected as he looked so fit and well a few weeks ago.. thankfully he is doing well and is now home to great relief all round.
Another unexpected jolt was, my car went into the garage Wednesday for an annual service and MOT.
Lunchtime they rang me to say the work was more extensive then they thought and would be keeping the car overnight . My brake shoes where rusty and needed grinding, they say its due to lack of use????. and the wheels/tyres needed aligning as I may have bumped over a deep pot hole, Yes I have hit a few potholes this year, its not surprising as they are a feature of our roads every winter/spring and they don’t get repaired for months, some roads are in dire need of resurfacing but the Council say they do not have the money. . It cost me !!!!!! Still its running sweet and its got to be safe driving on these roads.

I have been thinking about getting a bicycle for many years , but not having anyone to accompany me and the traffic being so intimidating I have always put it off. But a new scheme in Bolton “Get Active” will loan you a bike and helmet and take you on rides. I first had to show my proficiency riding a bike round the local Athletic Track. I found it very easy and was soon passed as fit. Next week I join the intermediate group to ride the cycle trail for one hour, not in traffic though we will be using disused railway cuttings ( no tracks) there are many such routes scattered through out Lancashire providing safe areas for walking and riding. There are other trails that take longer but I wont be that enthusiastic just yet but I am so pleased I found “Get Active” as I have yearned to ride a bike for a long time.

Posted my overseas Christmas cards today, surface mail is so much cheaper than airmail. It takes up to eight weeks to arrive in the States and Australia but you may just get it earlier. Missed the last slot for Christmas surface mail for the last three years, so I am pleased I made it this time.

Here comes the sunshine.

Driving through the rocks in Yosemine National Park California

Young Stag  seen on Bear Mountain Tehachapi



27^th September

It will be the 1st October this weekend and we are having a mini heat wave, its been cold and wet,  horrendous rain most of September and now the sun is beating down. The weather is just crazy . It hasn’t taken me long to fall into my usual routine, and meeting up with friends and neighbours it's nice to know that I have been missed. I eventually gave up on the garden it was totally beyond me, it seemed to get more overgrown every time I looked out. I blame the jet lag but never the less I don’t regret seeking out a gardener who has worked wonders and will be coming every fortnight to lovingly tend both my gardens. No more will I be a slave to the ever growing, green green grass of home, it feels truly liberating.. I really can’t recall what I have been doing these past weeks since I got home as I developed a nasty cold soon after getting home. Someone on the plane had a rather persistent cough that apparently passed on to me. Spent most of the first week in bed dosed up with cough syrup and flue remedies.Thankfully I am much better now and the coughing has stopped. It’s such a relief to sleep right through the night and not wake up feeling rough. I have been out enjoying the sunshine today, shopping and lunch. Nothing has changed much in the town, apart from a couple of major shops being renovated, which is good as too many empty shops around town makes the place look rather sad. The economy is still precarious, jobs are hard to find and Bolton Council are still deliberating on the cuts to public services to save £50 million in the next five years. The European Common Market is in turmoil again, Greece is bankrupt for the second time in as many years and wants bailing out again, I am so glad we didn’t adopt the Euro. Ah well it will soon be Christmas and all that retail hype starts again, Christmas cards are already in the shops.
I  am looking forward to  going up to Knaresborough this weekend to see Stue and family it seems ages since I saw them ,I hope its still sunny so we can take Bob for a walk by river.
Bye for now
Love you all.

The River Nidd Knaresborough

Yosemite National Park

Gee up

Chilling out



Gosh where does the time go, four weeks ago I was preparing for my trip to California and now I am back home after spending another wonderful visit with my dear friends Leslie and David in Tehachapi . I was over there in 2006 and little has changed, the people are as generous and welcoming as always. Leslie and David are so special I miss them already. It was good to be in the sun for a while but boy it can get hot, since coming home they have been under threat of fires and evacuation. Thankfully this threat has  now past, but will always be a present danger during these hot dry summers throughout California. Stayed a few days in Oakhurst a town outside Yosemite National Park in a superb summer home ideally set in the area of mountains forests and streams, kindly loaned to us by their friends Barbara and Rick. Yosemite is very impressive with huge, I mean gigantic, rocks, forests and streams, a wonderful area of wilderness to explore, loved it. Another brilliant memory will be, me on a horse for the first time. I was amazed how easy it was after years in fear , I will certainly be looking around for another horse to ride.
Soon after I arrive home its  back to reality, it has been  raining persistently for weeks but my garage roof is looking good, no more leaking roof  thats one nightmare over. My apples look good they are a deep red  and seem to be hanging in there, not as many falling this year. Because some are so high in the tree, without help I have to wait until they fall to gather them but with this heavy rain its been impossible to harvest them, ah well most of them will be for cooking and freezing anyway. The grass is knee high too but I am not fazed as it’s a common thing in this weather the grass just loves the rain. I am just about at one with the various digital equipment around the house, it takes me a while to remember and be comfortable with the many different codes required by TV, recorder, phones, computer, microwave and alarm system and I expect others are hidden around the house, its an age thing… as much as I love going away, its always good to be home.



Our local park



Well the good weather is back, my garage roof has dried so out no more leaks and the insurance for the repair has been approved. Went along to see the final episode of Harry Potter in 3D, it was brilliant. Unfortunately I forgot my 3D specs so I had to buy some more to see the film. These specs are special Harry Potter 3D Specs and I love the rounded shape, they really suits me. Not the John Lennon thin wire specs but thick dark frames, sadly all the opticians are opting for squarish frames so I will have to keep looking. The film Australia with Hugh Jackman (very special guy) and Nicole Kidman (not to keen on her ) was on TV this month and I loved every minute even though I have seen it more than once. Its now on my machine forever along with Camelot, Titanic and Zivargo. Bought and downloaded my favourite singer/songwriter /pianist Peter Cincotti to my Kindle . I made a mistake in my last Blog I called it a Kimble because being my friends name I know it well.. Hahaha)
http://youtu.be/E70QgZrsONg  Peter Cincotti, go listen he is so wonderful

Shock and horror hearing about the massacre of the Norwegian children and the bomb blast that wrecked the city of Oslo. The fact that he was a white blue eyed blond national puts all the screening programmes for terrorist into the shade.


My best times are the beautiful early mornings when the sun is on the rise, I love to sit out and enjoy the peace and quiet. My apples are ripening fast, the experts put it down to the unusual weather earlier in the year. The apples are usually on the tree till September but it looks like a premature harvest may be on the cards if I can find the time to pick, blanch and freeze most of them before they fall off and make a mess on my patio..

The Library closures are still being debated at Council level, but the Library where I volunteer has been told it will close in March 2012. I just hope they can still use me as I really do look forward to my Friday mornings helping folks gain confidence with computers.

Various environmental organisations are asking that we all plant more wild flowers in our gardens to attract butterflies and bees as they have been in sharp decline for the past few years due to the destruction of local hedgerows and meadows. This year our local parks have had the most colourful display of wild flowers I have ever seen so I just had to take some pictures. I am sure it will encourage others to spread more of these wildflower seeds next year.

Going on holiday soon, really looking forward to seeing my friends again. Take care and enjoy whats left of the summer.