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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Deansgate

Fancy looking building on Deansgate Manchester.

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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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Christmas

Yes Christmas will soon be here ...

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Postcard ..

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

A blast from the past.

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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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BBC Salford

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

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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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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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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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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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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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Harrier

The famous Harrier Jump Jet hero of the Falklands conflict.

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Soviet Tank

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

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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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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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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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Old and new..

Manchester centre the old and new ..

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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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Lloyd Street, Manchester

Looking down Lloyd Street towards Deansgate.

Sunny morning..

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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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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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Great Manchester Cycle

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

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Albert Square, Manchester

Albert Square on a sunny Saturday morning .

Has summer arrived ?


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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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Newhouse Road, Heywood

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

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 !!!

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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British Military Fitness

Need to get fit ???

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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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Heaton Park

Another dull and frosty morning in Heaton Park.

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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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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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Heaton Park

Cold January day in Heaton Park Manchester

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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 ...

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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