The Past



The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.

L. P. Hartley   1895-1972 

Saturday 8 December 2012

Chopin


As you wonder down Deansgate Manchester doing your shoppin' you can see a statue of Chopin.

Please forgive the play on words.



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Sunday 2 December 2012

Deansgate


Fancy looking building on Deansgate Manchester.





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Saturday 1 December 2012

Lift up your eyes..


Lift up your eyes in the Exchange Theatre St.Ann's Square and eventually you'll see light.




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Thursday 29 November 2012

Christmas

Yes Christmas will soon be here ...




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Wednesday 28 November 2012

St. Ann's Passage



St.Ann's Passage leading towards King Street which also has a Christmas market this year.

Many years ago - 40 plus - we bought a ring from Hancock & Son - I guess we would not be able to afford to shop there now.

Opposite Hancock was a cafe - long gone..




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Tuesday 27 November 2012

Christmas Market - St. Ann's Square



You'll find the Christmas markets all around Manchester - certainly spreading in size as the years go by.

This is St. Ann's Square.





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Monday 26 November 2012

Manchester Christmas Markets


The Christmas markets have now taken to the streets of Manchester - even in November they are proving very popular and attracting many visitors.




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65 ...


That's me on the right - now officially an old age pensioner / I suppose it's all downhill now ??

Another milestone in life's rich tapestry.





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Sunday 25 November 2012

Winter is on the way


This photo of our beech hedge was taken a few weeks ago when we still had some sunny days / now the weather has turned colder and very wet. 
Winter is certainly on the way.




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Saturday 20 October 2012

Total Knee Replacement


Well I'm now home after a total knee replacement done at Fairfield Hospital Bury.

Hopefully this will mean that soon I will be able to get out and about again with my camera taking photographs of Manchester and surrounds and then carry on Blogging.

Contributions to my Blog have been somewhat sparse this year due to lack of mobility.

Here's to the future.

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Tuesday 18 September 2012

AAA Screening


If you are a man in his 65th year and live in England you'll be invited to attend free of charge an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening at your local NHS health centre.

Not often you get invited somewhere free of charge so I went.

This is a quick and easy scan to ascertain if there is weakness in the aorta - I was in and out of the medical centre in about 10 minutes.

All very efficient and I would recommend having the scan done when it comes to your turn.

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Monday 27 August 2012

August Bank Holiday Monday


What a miserable day - typical for a Bank Holiday.

Wet and cold ....

Central heating gone on again - E-on will be making big profits this year.

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Wednesday 1 August 2012

Changing times ..


A sudden rain shower in the 1950's/60's would result in the "housewife" and yes it usually was the lady of the house rushing to the garden or yard to bring into the house any washing from the line. Stopping only to perhaps knock on a neighbours window to warn of the sudden change in weather.


The modern "housewife" seems to care little - washing is left on the line for days or even weeks through a whole cycle of weather conditions.


How times and priorities change.


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Sunday 8 July 2012

Weather


We've certainly had some wet weather this last month or so - rain rain rain.


I fear for our crop of potatoes down at the allotment which are now covered by several inches of water.


As far as I am concerned this wet weather is not a new phenomenon - most school holidays as a young child seemed to be like this.


Nothing new in this world.


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Thursday 5 July 2012

Postcard ..


1940's American Red Cross postcard issued to the forces in Italy.

A blast from the past.






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Tuesday 3 July 2012

A favourite photo ..

Pisa Italy

Not a pretty scene but this is one of my favourite photos - it captures the essence of Italy.



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Monday 2 July 2012

BBC Salford


Another view of the BBC complex down in Salford in the old docks.



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Sunday 1 July 2012

Summer


Well here we are July 1st and the height of the English summer .


Today we will have a maximum temperature of 58F but it will feel like 55F. How lucky we are ....


Forecast for the week heavy rain , light rain and more heavy rain.


Yes how lucky we are.


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Friday 29 June 2012

BBC Salford


I'm certainly having problems loading photos - this has taken a few efforts. The colours do not run true for some reason. Any other Bloggers out there having similar problems?

Here we have the new BBC buildings on Salford Quay now completed and I assume functioning.




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Friday 22 June 2012

Allotment - more news


This is the first year that we have used these tunnels - bought cheaply from Wilkinson. Underneath lie cabbage,cauliflower and broccoli seeds now germinating we hope. The tunnels are easy to use and far better than trying to protect the crops with netting and bamboo canes.



Raspberry plants below have run riot and seem to be spreading rapidly / hope for a good crop within the next few months.


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Wednesday 20 June 2012

Allotment June 2012 1


This has certainly been a bad year for growing veg due to the cold and wet Spring.

Peas and sweetcorn seed have failed to germinate and many things are late developing. However the rhubarb and the soft fruits seem to like this weather. A good crop of red currants is on the way and gooseberries are doing fine so I suppose we should not grumble.


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Tuesday 19 June 2012

Exhibit


Futuristic - it looks like a cross and I think represents the horror of war. This exhibit consists of the images of destroyed buildings on the surface.

The museum is very dark and gloomy inside and no doubt that this was the designer's intention but it makes it difficult to see some of the material on show.



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Sunday 17 June 2012

Harrier


The famous Harrier Jump Jet hero of the Falklands conflict.


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Friday 15 June 2012

Soviet Tank


Another tank from the Soviet era at the Imperial War Museum North in Salford.



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Wednesday 13 June 2012

Imperial War Museum North



A Sunday morning saw us visit the Imperial War Museum in Salford and here we have a tank from the Soviet era. 

T55



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Tuesday 12 June 2012

Imperial War Museum North


You'll find the museum in Salford near the Lowry Centre - very popular. Mainly concerned with the two World War but covers modern day conflict as well.

Rather jingoistic for my taste but no doubt that is the cynic in me coming out.


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Ben


Ben after an early morning chase around in Heaton Park





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Monday 11 June 2012

Euro 2012


England have got off to a reasonable start to Euro 2012 this evening with a 1 - 1 draw against France.


Both goals scored by Manchester City players......


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Sunday 10 June 2012

Old and new..


Manchester centre the old and new ..





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Thursday 7 June 2012

Fire Station


The old fire station in the middle of Manchester at a busy road junction near the Piccadilly rail station.

Plans to turn this into a hotel but the economic crisis seems to have put this on hold.



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Monday 4 June 2012

Lloyd Street, Manchester


Looking down Lloyd Street towards Deansgate.


Sunny morning..

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Saturday 2 June 2012

Abraham Lincoln


Abe Lincoln - if you wonder around the streets between Albert Square and Deansgate you'll find this fellow.

This is the third attempt I've has trying to load this photo / not had much success lately...




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Tuesday 29 May 2012

Manchester Central Library



The "Library" has been subject to renovation and upgrade for some time. St.Peter's Square is undergoing Metro work soon and we'll see the platforms moved as I understand it.
So it is all go down in this area of the city.



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Monday 28 May 2012

Great Manchester Cycle


Time to get on your bike for the Great Manchester Cycle .







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Sunday 27 May 2012

Albert Square, Manchester

Albert Square on a sunny Saturday morning .





Has summer arrived ?


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Wednesday 16 May 2012

The Path ...


This handy little path is suitable for walking the dog - it runs from Gleneagles Avenue to Newhouse Road.

Nice on a sunny morning but not when it's cold and wet.




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Monday 14 May 2012

Newhouse Road, Heywood


Newhouse Road in Heywood looking out over the hills on a bright sunny morning.



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Saturday 12 May 2012

Siddal Moor School, Heywood


Siddal Moor School Heywood.

A lot of money has been spent recently on this school and here we have a newly built entrance block.

All looking rather swish and modern.


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Friday 11 May 2012

Ben


Ever hopeful - Ben waiting at the door and expecting a long walk.

He's certainly got bigger over the last few months since we got him and more confident as well.



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Thursday 10 May 2012

Soon to go ..


Forest Flame looking very colourful - soon to go as the lawn needs to be enlarged for the needs of Ben the dog.

It will hopefully be transplanted to another part of the garden.



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Tuesday 8 May 2012

Tulips


We've had some cold weather of late and these tulips are no longer looking their best.

We've been busy down at the allotment but it's still a little cold to be planting out some seeds. Let's hope that the warmer weather approaches soon.




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Monday 7 May 2012

Changing times ...


Yesterday France voted in a new president - Francois Hollande a socialist.

In an election in Greece the centre-right government of Antonis Samaris (New Democracy party) together with the Pasok party gained only a third of the votes as voters changed their allegiance to non austerity parties.

Should we be worried in the UK about what is happening abroad? Well yes! The whole European economic system could be brought to disarray if new governments start to exercise some muscle.

Watch this space..

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Sunday 29 April 2012

Manchester - The Big Wheel


This big wheel was due to be moved from the centre of Manchester and in fact it may now have been removed.

It's spent quite a time in Exchange Square - will it return to the centre or head for some other city ? Who knows !!




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Friday 27 April 2012

Manchester Harvey Nichols


The skyline of Manchester as seen from the cathedral - Harvey Nichols and Selfridge.

The tower of the Exchange in the distance.



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Wednesday 25 April 2012

Chetham's School of Music


Chetham's School of Music to the right of the picture - this photo was taken some weeks ago when the weather was somewhat better.



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Monday 23 April 2012

Manchester's Hidden Gem



Known as the hidden gem - hidden amongst the shops and offices of central Manchester - St.Mary's Roman Catholic Church which was founded in 1794.




For more information and photographs go to http://hiddengem.catholicfaith.co.uk

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Wasting time ..


I've just wasted an hour changing the template of this Blog - in error !!

At last it is back to something I'm happy with ..

The moral is - do not mess about with anything you are happy with .

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Sunday 22 April 2012

Blog changes ..


I can not say that I'm too happy with the latest changes to the posting screen.


Guess at my age I prefer things to remain as they always were.


It does not appear to be as simple as before - no doubt I will soon adapt.


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Rochdale Football


Rochdale has not lasted long in the Npower League Division 1 - a 2-1 defeat against Chesterfield yesterday has seen them relegated back to Division 2.


Where they will no doubt stay for many years..


Sad !!!

Monday 16 April 2012

Titanic



Is it just me or are we getting Titanic overload on the television and radio? Every other programme seems to be about the sinking of the unsinkable liner in 1912.

One or two programmes may be interesting but I do think they have gone for the overkill.

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Sunday 15 April 2012

Lancashire Cricket



Lancashire got a good thrashing at Liverpool and were defeated by 10 wickets by Sussex in the County Championship Division 1.

Not a very good start to the season - let's hope for better days ...

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Thursday 5 April 2012

Easter ..


Well Easter is here tomorrow - the weather will be turning wet after a few weeks of warm sunny weather - so nothing is new...

What is new is the increasing commercialism of Easter - is this the new Christmas?

If the TV adverts are correct we now need in addition to Easter Eggs a lamb joint for the Easter dinner, an Easter bouquet of flowers for the Mrs and of course several bottle of wine.

Do not forget to stock up at the local garden centre with tulips and daffs.

I've not been encouraged to buy cards yet - no doubt that will come later .

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Thursday 29 March 2012

Panic in the streets ..


Government advice to stock up petrol in jerry cans in order to thwart proposed strike action by fuel delivery drivers has resulted in panic buying and long queues on the roads leading to petrol stations.

This was a worry as our tank was nearly empty - however the wait at the pumps was less than 10 minutes - so far so good.

The next bad news is that snow may be expected in the north at Easter - as for the south there is a proposed baggage handler strike at Stansted Airport during the holiday period.

Hose pipe bans on the way ....

What next ???

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Tuesday 27 March 2012

Anyone ....



Anyone tired of the hot sunny weather yet ?

Well I'm getting as much as I can while to going is good - even purchased new chairs for the garden.

Let's hope it lasts ....

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Friday 16 March 2012

Europa League


Well that is it - the shouting is all over and both Manchester teams exit the Europa League.

Just not good enough....

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Sunday 26 February 2012

Carling Cup


Just caught the last 10 minutes of extra time in the Carling Cup Final - Liverpool v Cardiff.

Got quite interested - after extra time it was 2-2 and eventually Liverpool won on penalties. Always exciting ..

Now away to watch sheep dog trials on the TV !!

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Saturday 28 January 2012

Thursday 26 January 2012

Resolution Run 2012 Heaton Park


Looks like we've got a sponsored run in Heaton Park Sunday March 4th - 5, 10 and 15K.

Too much for an old codger like me.


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Monday 23 January 2012

Heaton Park



Another dull and frosty morning in Heaton Park.




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Sunday 22 January 2012

Cornish Earthquake



An earthquake with the magnitude of 3.8 occurred off the coast of Cornwall last night at around 18.33.

No reports of any damage on the mainland.

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Saturday 21 January 2012

Ben


It must be over 6 weeks since we took on Ben - now getting bigger and more independent.




No taking his eyes off the ball ... no time for the camera.

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Tuesday 17 January 2012

Heaton Park



Cold January day in Heaton Park Manchester




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Tuesday 10 January 2012

Heaton Park


Down by the lakeside in Heaton Park is a cafe very well used by dog walkers, parents with children, cyclists, joggers and many more : the outside seating area is always busy.

Rumour is that soon the cafe will close - no doubt in order to save money but this will be a great shame - this cafe provides a meeting point for a great many people and provides for a real social and community need.

I read that many of the parks in Manchester are to become Nature Reserves - in other words they will be left to go wild and have less money spent on them.

What a cynic I am ...

Sunday 8 January 2012

FA Cup


Well only one Manchester team could proceed to the next round of the FA Cup and after an exciting game - I only fell asleep for five minutes - Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2.

Yes an exciting game actually - penalty - sending off - fight back and heavy rain by the look of it.

The next team United will meet will be their old rivals - Liverpool - watch for sparks flying....

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Penguins - move your cursor and take them for a walk !!

Say it as it is ......


Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land amongst the stars.

Look around !!!

What is this life, full of care,

We have no time to stand and stare?


W. H. Davies  1870-1940