River Croal

A few more photos of the River Croal as it heads from Bolton into the Manchester area.

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River Croal

The River Croal one of Lancashire's major rivers - yes you guessed it - at Moses Gate.

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Doom and gloom

Is there more doom and gloom around the corner for the somewhat weak UK economy?

I read today that the North African problems may result in the price of a barrel of oil doubling - it seems that the price will be set by what the speculators decide to do - no doubt they will make their money and a quick killing leaving the ordinary man in the street to suffer.

All price increases filter down to Joe Public in the form of increased prices not just for petrol but food, energy and transport.

In the short term the government will be happy with the increased tax revenues but will that euphoria soon disappear as unemployment rises?

A good word euphoria - my dictionary states it means a feeling of great but often unjustified or exaggerated happiness.

This word could be applied to many things that are happening in the world at the present time ..

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Moses Gate Country Park

More photos from Moses Gate.

There must be a part of British culture that likes to see rubbish thrown onto iced up lakes and waterways !!! It always looks so untidy .....

This swan certainly does not mind the ice....

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Allotment 20

Another year down at the allotment is starting.

We have purchased our seeds.

Potatoes are now chitting and awaiting planting late March or early April. Last year was a disaster for main potato crop - they were eaten by slugs !! This year we will concentrate on early varieties and hopefully the crop will be lifted by July/August before the slugs hatch. The favoured types are Pentland Javelin and Maris Peer.

Onion sets are planted in trays and as soon as they have developed roots will be transferred direct into the ground. We understand that if the sets are planted with roots then the birds will have a harder time trying to pull them out of the ground - that is one of the major problems with onions.

Imagine our dismay to find the allotment plot covered in water. Our plot is surrounded by steep slopes and during the winter heavy rains the water has drained down onto us and the ground has become soaked.

With the aid of some well dug channels we have managed to drain some of the water away and the land is now starting to dry - let's hope for a spell of dry weather.

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FA Cup

Good news for the Manchester football teams this week - both United and City taking part in the FA Cup.

Today saw City beat Notts County in the fourth round 5-0 and will now meet Aston Villa in a game that will also be played at the Eastlands.

United beat non-league side Crawley Town 1-0 in the fifth round and will play either Arsenal or Leyton Orient in the next tie. Crawley did very well against United and deserve much credit.

Roll on the next rounds !!!

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Telephone Line Problems

Ten days of dodgy telephone and internet connection has prevented any Blogging during the last week - hopefully the communication problems are now rectified.

Every two or three years we have these problems and the result is always the same - BT have to dig up the pavement !! I guess over time water gets into the junction box or whatever it is called and does what water likes to do - cause chaos ...

The good news is that I should get a rebate on the next bill.

Hopefully I'll get a few Blog entries in during this next week.

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Moses Gate Country Park

Do we head for the water, ice and all ???

Or do we stay on firm ground ???

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Moses Gate Country Park - Rock Hall

The country park boasts a visitor centre - at the time of visiting it was closed for some type of repair or redevelopment . To reopen shortly by the look of it.

A grand looking building ...

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Moses Gate Country Park

A cold and dull winter day in January saw take a trip down to Moses Gate Country Park near Darcy Leaver in Bolton.

Had a pleasant walk around - it was nice to get out into the fresh air.

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Manchester Exchange

Manchester's Exchange - once cotton was traded here many years ago but now it houses a theatre and cafe.

A very pleasant cafe - always quiet and peaceful

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The waterfall - Manchester City Centre

You'll find this snazzy little waterfall in the city centre not far from the Printworks.

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Manchester - Printworks

The Printworks once the home of national newspapers, but now all that industry has gone only to be replaced by a cinema and trendy bars.

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