Prague - Reach for the sky !!

Spires point their way to heaven - here in Prague

Another photo I've " messed with " to give it a slightly blue/pink tint

Prague - Keeping up !!

Going ...

Gone ...

Back again ..

Prague - no threat to NATO I guess ....... !!

ABC Wednesday - X for XFM Manchester

X is for XFM Manchester - one of our local radio stations .

I must be the first to admit that this is not one of the radio stations I actually listen to - too young in taste for my liking - prefer BBC Radio 4 for the spoken word, news, plays - BBC Radio 7 for drama and comedy shows - Smooth for jazz, soul and lastly Classic FM for light classical and opera.

This is my digital DAB RADIO  - I can set alarms, record and pause - clarity of reception is first class.

My only gripe about digital radio is that it can only be as good as the programmes transmitted - radio stations must appeal to ALL tastes - 200 stations playing the TOP 10 is no choice at all !

I think radio in the UK is first class but the danger is that in order to cut costs, top class programmes will be shunned in favour of a mass audience dumb down ...

What's radio like where you live ?  .. I would be interested to know...

AND yes it is 7.31 in the morning and I'm taking pictures of radios - I must be sad ..... !!

Senior Screen

Wednesday is Senior Screen at the local Odeon Cinema in Rochdale - for over 50's only - reduced price plus free cup of tea and a cake

This is really good value - £3.75 per seat and if you have an Orange mobile phone you can get two seats for the price of one on a Wednesday.

My only disappointment was, that when I  first started going to the screenings, they did not demand proof of my age ! OK .. so I look old !!

Today was a special showing of The Oxford Murders with Elijah Wood,John Hurt,Leonor Watling and Julie Cox. Murder mystery set around Oxford University - the murders linked by a series of mathematical symbols.

Good film - slightly different than the usual 

AND - not sure why, but today it was free ! So never look a gift horse in the mouth !!

Messing about

Just thought I would mess about in iPhoto and adjust a picture of a vase, and this is what I succeeded in doing.

It passes a few hours on a Tuesday afternoon - for me better than watching Wimbledon ( now that could be an idea for a W entry )

ABC Wednesday - W for Wheelie Bin

This is actually a double W   ... Wednesday is collection day for the Wheelie Bin

Politically the collection of these refuse bins is at a local level more important than the Iraq War, Inflation, Unemployment and raises passions ( and violence ). Many a local Councillor has lost his Council seat over the issue come election time.

Once upon a time in the UK your dustbin was collected weekly and contained all your rubbish - the bin collectors actually entered your yard or garden to collect the bin. In order to cut costs the wheelie bin  was introduced - the onus on the householder was now to take it into the road on collection day. ( it has small wheels )

In order to encourage more recycling of waste material  more wheelie bins were introduced. Dark green for non recyclable waste , light green/blue for tins, bottles  ( glass or plastic) and brown for garden waste plus a blue bag for paper.

Collections were reduced to fortnightly - normal waste one week then the other wheelie bins the following week. This of course led to many complaints - bins smelling , bins stolen , bins just not collected by the Council. 

I use my brown bin for storing rain water ! I compost all garden waste.

You must follow Council regulations - bin to be placed 6 inches from kerb edge, lid to be down flat, handles facing road, do not leave loose rubbish nearby. 

If what you read in the Tabloid Press is correct then the Council employ " Bin Police " to check that residents are following all the rules and regulations.

I could discuss wheelie bins at great length but do not want to bore you any more ...

ABC Wednesday - W for Windfarm

W is for Wind Farm ............

Scout Moor Wind Farm between Rawtenstall and Rochdale high up on wild moorland consists of 26 turbines that will provide enough energy for 40,000 homes.

Soon to come into operation - for more information see http://www.scoutmoorwindfarm.co.uk - lots of pictures on the web site of turbines and the construction for those of you with a technical bent.

The construction of the Wind Farm was not without its critics and a hard fought campaign tried to stop the building helped by Professor David Bellamy the well known botanist of TV fame. It was claimed that the wild area with its special plants and birds would be destroyed . We'll soon see ...

The turbines can be seen high on the skyline for many miles around - and a certainly an unusual sight !!

Pick and Mix 2

Another selection of random pictures taken from my collection - no actual theme this time ..

China Town and Chinese New Year in Manchester. Lots of crowds watching the dragon move around the streets ..

Galway Bay in Ireland - as you can guess it tends to rain on the west coast of Ireland. Pleasant place Galway - intend to go back some time ..

Cliffs of Moher near Galway - the picture "lies" - it does not show the hundreds of tourists and motor coaches just around the corner ..

 
Somewhere to go it appears - here at Heaton Park, Manchester

Bulgaria - Sofia - Street scene ..

An attempt at a " still life " photo  .. taken at my flat in Spain 

Cornwall - Lost Gardens of Heligan

This cheeky chap  can be found in the Lost Gardens of Heligan down in Cornwall.

A pleasant enough place to spend a few hours ..

Glad I'm not his barber !

Healey Dell 1 - Rochdale

This Sunday morning we all had a very pleasant walk around Healey Dell which is a disused 1800's railway line that is now a nature trail.

The Dell can be found on the outskirts of Rochdale - the word Dell means a small valley usually of trees and is of Old English origin.

The River Spodden winds its way through the valley - a valley that was once a very busy place - not only the railway but mills and various enterprises !

Here below the river becomes a narrow torrent cascading over the rocks.

An old ruin - evidence of the busy commercial centre the valley was.

This tree has turned red - perhaps a fungus or poisoned by iron ore ?
For further information look at http://www.healeydell.org.uk

Hope in future to show some more pictures of the woods.

River Thames - Richmond, London

This weekend saw the family down in Richmond, Surrey for a wedding.

Richmond is a very pretty place - the River Thames flows through the centre of the town

Here is the River Thames ..

Nearby can be found Hampton Court and Kew Gardens .. Just a short journey away ..

Central London can be reached by the Underground in about 40 minutes ..

Southern England has had a lot of rain this spring and the fields near the banks of the River Thames are flooded ..

Lots of boats on the Thames - it is possible to take a pleasure boat up into London ..

A nice area !

ABC Wednesday - V for Valencia

Valencia founded by the Romans in BC 138 is Spain's third city - a busy vibrant place, the city is circled by the dry river bed of the Rio Turia.

This river bed has been developed into gardens , sports areas and the City of Arts and Science - Ciutat de les arts i de les ciencies.

You can find here cinemas, dolphinarium, concert hall, gardens and museums.

For more information see http://www.cac.es

All very modern design..  Here the flamingos are having a rest.

Situated not too far from the city centre - walk or take the local bus. This covered garden has a wonderful  display of cacti.

He looks a bit wild !!

ABC Wednesday - U for United

U for United or Man United or Manchester United or MUFC - whatever you call them they will always be UNITED.

One of the most famous football clubs in the world.

The famous OLD TRAFFORD football ground.

Some of their silverware in the club museum ..

Players past and present ..

Football caps .. !

Last but not least a statue of their famous manager - Sir Matt  Busby  ...

The streets of London

This Sunday was a warm and sunny day in London and here are a few street scenes taken from the top of a London Transport Tourist Bus.

Waiting for the traffic lights to change ..
The sun brought out hundreds of Londoners and tourists to the streets of the capital. Yesterday was the first fine weekend for some time.

Eros Statute at Piccadilly ..

Another crowded street ..

Trafalgar Square was hosting a Korean Food festival .. !

The dog ..

Just listen !!!

I want to drive .. it's my turn !!

He is called Guinness .. !   yep -black with white bits - just like the drink.

Hard times !!

Why are all the hills I climb so steep .. ?

This was a struggle to get to the top - Knowl Moor near Rochdale. 

Best foot forward and head down - grit teeth and take a deep breath.

It was worth it - the view is grand as they say in Rochdale.

39 Steps

Last night we went to the  Lowry Centre in Salford to watch the play " The 39 Steps  " ( from the book written by John Buchan )

People may remember the Hitchcock version - well this was nothing like it - it was a spoof and really hilarious . The play has a cast of four who play the hundred plus parts . A winner of the best new comedy - Laurence Olivier Award 2007

The play is now playing the West End and Broadway per the information sheet - I did not purchase a programme so am unaware who the actors are  but can recommend the show as being first class ..