Peter the Poet

Had to post this video I think its so well done. Dead Funny. There are others on the site equally as good, go see.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOCKUv0KsIA
This one is good too Granny and the Bikers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7TZbpT0JHk

Easter sunshine

Rivington Pike

We have been having a brilliant Easter Weekend the sun has shone and the gardens are filling with colour so quickly.So different to last year when it snowed. I mowed the grass, what a job, it took me ages to get it decent it was so thick and lush. Thankfully I am feeling so much better now my cough has gone. I didn’t realise how low I had gone until I started feeling better.
At the beginning of April we had such a terrible wind it kept me awake I could hear the wheelie bins (big bins)that had been left out for the collection in the morning, being blown over . I popped down and brought mine back inside the garage. I didn’t feel like facing the mess that could have been in the morning. We have three bins, Grey for general household rubbish, Green for garden waste and Beige for paper and card. Some also have a Burgundy bin for tins and plastic bottles. I don’t have space for one of those so I have a box instead. It’s a complete charade as the recycling plants can`t keep up with the amount collected and the paper is being shipped out to far distant lands and dumped. I wish the government would sort it out. I believe in recycling, the concept is excellent but there has to be a better system than we have at present. Drove up to Harrogate on Thursday to see my lads, Stue and Sam ,weather was overcast but warm. We had lunch in the local Pub and then a mooch around the town centre shops. I really enjoyed being with them it felt good. After the bank holiday when all the crowds had gone Betty and I decided to climb Rivington Pike. This is a tradition by many at Easter time. It was a nice bright day but windy so we wrapped up warm and set off through the Chinese Gardens built by Lord Leverhulme around his bungalow, now gone, half way up the hillside. The gardens are being renovated and are much improved. After climbing 480 + steps we lost count, the wind was force 7 at the top and fairly took our breath away. If there had not been a fence at the top of the climb we would have been swept away. Brilliant day loved the climb and managed well, with the aid of walking poles it is so much easier. Forgot my camera so found these online.

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/jed/chinese%20gardens/chinese_gardens.htm Go take a look

Llandudno North Wales

Conwy

The Promenard

Llandudno sea view looking towards the Little Orme

Well its been a very eventful few weeks. The Speakers Charter Dinner was a great success, although I was having problems with my voice I was able to give the toast to the Guests. I had included some poetry of Emily Dickinson and was very pleased that it was appreciated. The following day my throat was very inflamed and I had developed a dry harsh cough that was incredibly painful. My GP`s diagnosis, it was a Viral Infection that required no treatment other than pain relief and lots of fluids, one week later I am feeling much better but the cough is still problem. Mothering Sunday crept up on me again I always forget ,maybe its because it makes me feel sad as I am so far away from my children and I miss my mother . I do get cards and calls and best wishes but its not the same as having them here with me. They are good kids and I love them lots. Continued with my holiday to Llandudno with Muriel as I thought a few days of sea breezes would clear my head. We where very fortunate with the weather, blue skies and sunshine, intermittent showers but no bad weather. We wrapped up well against the wind and enjoyed long walks along the seafront and of course the inevitable shopping was a priority. Took a ride into Conwy on the bus and browsed up and down their cobbled streets of its quaint and picturesque sea front with the Conwy Castle as a background.
The spring tide was in full flood and the sea so powerful and threatening it makes one feel for sailors, lifeboat men and fishermen how they risk their lives every time they set out to sea. Andrew was in the Royal Navy for seven years and it doesn’t bare thinking about. I am not a good sailor, just crossing a bridge can make my stomach churn. I have sailed on Ferries, down to Spain and across to Europe but I can`t see me ever taking a cruise. I think I am all sorted for my main holiday to Italy on the 1st May which is just a few weeks off. I hope this dratted cough clears by then.
Attended my first poetry Slam last night. Fourteen Performance Poets competed for the right to enter the BBC Grand Slam later this year. Only winners of Registered Poetry Slams will be accepted into this competition. After seeing the performers many very competant but others still learning, it made me feel quite confident enough to prepare for the next Slam. Watch this space !

Thought it would be useful to see what the weather is like in the UK every day. Today is good the sun is still shining but it is cold and the forcast isn`t good for the next week or so . Still Llandudno will be a change of scene,as long as we are sufficiently warm and dry it will be good.
I am packing lots of layers as it might be sunny, the weather changes so quickly these days.
Speakers Club dinner last night was good I got through my speech, forgot to toast the guests, but the atmosphere was so that no one really bothered. The dinner was held at Ridgment House Horwich on the outskirts of Bolton. A lovely old house built by Lord Leverhulme and extended now to accommodate weddings and functions. Today is Mothers Day (a retail ripoff) . I have received a brilliant card from Stue and had a phone call this morning,. Andy will be here later this afternoon,I think he is working. I think of my mother often as I am getting more like her every day.

http://ridgemonthouse.co.uk/ Go see the house

My Day Out

Rochdale Canal Todmorden

Weavers Cottages

Day out

Now we are experiencing better weather, it has been sunny and warm for almost a week now, I have booked a spring break in Llandudno Wales at the end of this month. Llandudno was a favourite of my mothers, I took her there many times during her later years because it is very flat and basically has remained the same for decades. Popular with the Victorians the long sea front is unchanged and there is a lovely broad stretch of Promenade to enjoy . Another good point is that the town centre is only a minutes away, where there are plenty of individual shops to browse and you are in easy reach of other resorts on the Welsh coast. This is something to look forward to after a busy month. On Saturday it is our Speaking Club`s Annual Charter Dinner and I have been asked to give the Toast to the Guests so I have been quickly devising a short but relevant speech, I will be glad when its over, not having a partner makes it rather a long evening.
This morning was quite special, it was the first time in many many months I have been able to peg out some washing, such a joy, a simple task but it sets the mood for the day. I heard the sound of a lawn mower and the smell of new mown grass drifting on the air,wonderful. Sunshine and fresh air ,windows open and central heating off makes you want to clean your windows and bottom the house. But I fought the urge as I was at WriteOutLoud Poetry last night, didn`t get in till late so need a little time this morning to relax. Then I am out again its Speakers Club tonight, so working on this Computer relaxes me……. I have washed and pegged out remember.
Saturday 7th Dorothy and I had a day out in the countryside. I drove us to Todmorden and Hebden Bridge it was a lovely change and it did us both good, the fresh air and the walk was what we needed. The Yorkshire side of the Peninnes are so different to Lancashire and the markets are too, we managed to find a few bargains. It always adds to the day when you come back with bargains. It was such a lovely evening we called at Hollingsworth Lake near Rochdale to finish the day. Last week was much of a muchness , catching up with my writing and going grocery shopping .I seem to get very low on basics and cope for a few days eating what ever is available, then I get fed up and go grocery shopping. It is not my most favourite occupation trawling around supermarkets, but that’s the only place one can get food .Sometimes I do go on the Market in town and the farmers markets that comes to Bolton once a month, to get fresh vegetables and fruit, but its not always convenient. At Christmas I found a independent butcher that had a wonderful display of meats and I got a brilliant turkey crown and some gammon Steaks,lovely. But we do have an abundance of Bakers, because in the North we like our pies. But what is taking over many shops are Fast Food Outlets, food from every continent, even most Chips and Fish are a side line for the Chinese these days. Our mainstreets have changed significantly due to the multinational population that is drowning our country . Our once local Greengrocers, Ironmongers, Electrical Supplies, Wool Shops and Haberdasheries and the fated Post Offices have gone due to the all encompassing Supermarkets/Hypermarkets that hold the monopoly on what we buy. Enough said-enjoy my photos.

Snow in Edgworth

Snow in Edgworth
Friday 27th Betty June and I had a great day out at Boundary Mills Factory Outlet in Colne.
Came away with a jacket and four sweaters, all brilliant bargains. I either go home without a thing or I could spend a small fortune, this was one of those days, but I have to conserve something for my holiday in May. Sunday Ist March “White Rabbits” its suppose to bring you luck if you say WR on rising . I must admit it was almost 10am before I remembered but said it anyway as it must be daybreak somewhere in world .. The speaking Contest was very successful we had six applicants and a they all gave a very varied account on “Fashion “ Wednesday another Birthday lunch this time it was for Irene. We went to a Cypriot owned Pub The Rose and Crown in Edgworth. Just as interest this pub was recently hit by a truck and has been refurbished. Our Stuart used to help serve behind the bar in his youth. Excellent food and service, very different I will be going back soon to try another of his dishes . During our meal there was a heavy fall of snow, we where way up in the hills but on returning home the snow was very light and almost gone.. The weather man says we will have this cold snap for a few weeks and more snow to come. Sadly there was a six car traffic accident in the area due to the snow and the motorway was closed. Because we have had this prolonged cold weather with heavy falls of snow, most councils are complaining they haven`t enough grit for the roads and are having to import grit/salt from Europe. Plus potholes and damage to the roads as a result of this cold weather, are deadly. It pays to drive on the major roads they at least are monitored and some repairs carried out.

From the The Bolton News
Freak snowstorm sparks Bolton road chaos
2:53pm Wednesday 4th March 2009
A SUDDEN snow storm sparked motorway chaos as emergency crews were called to four separate crashes. The M61 northbound was closed - causing five-mile tailbacks - as paramedics treated casualties and police cleared the carriageway of debris. Five people were taken to hospital after being carried from their cars on spinal boards. A number of others were injured in the smashes, which happened almost simultaneously at 2.30pm. The accidents are causing widespread chaos on arterial routes in and around junction six, Horwich, of the M61. Inspector Phil Cottam, from Lancashire Police, said: "When I first came to the scene it was snowing quite heavily, but only a short distance along the motorway it was bright sunshine.
"What I would say to people is to take extra care because conditions are changing minute by minute."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auWwG6FqjrA

This shows the lorry crashing into the Rose and Crown.

Birthday Lunch

25th February
Hooray for the girls I had a very enjoyable Birthday Lunch Wednesday. I have been really surprised this year by the very thoughtful gifts I have received from near and far. Where would we be with out friends, thanks to everyone who helped me through that week. By the 22nd I was feeling more myself and motivated enough to read at Middleton. Went to see the movie Slumdog Millionaire that has been winning all the awards recently and I feel it deserved them, it’s a great film. Finalised all the arrangements for our Holiday in May. Dorothy and I have decided to stay overnight in London the day before we meet up with our tour. We leave on the Eurostar for Paris, stay for a few days in Milan, Turin, and eventually Venice. A Rail and Culture “ Tour of Vintage Italy”
Can`t wait!