Wet Wet Wet

We've certainly had our share of wet weather this week. The countryside is waterlogged and rivers in full spate. 

The forecast for Christmas week is perhaps snow and colder temperatures but there is no sign of that yet.

The non stop rain continues - and to be honest - the last thing I want is snow - hate the stuff !!!

I need to visit our allotment and find out if the land is under water . Not that there is much I can do about that ...

We'll soon find out if there is to be a change in the weather.

Manchester City - Champions League

Manchester City Football Club have reached the last 16 of the Champions League and again find that for the second consecutive year that they will meet Barcelona.

Last season they lost 4-1 on aggregate - 2-0 at the Etihad and 2-1 over at the Nou Camp.

Matches to be played 24th February and 18th March

City are confident they'll do better this time and will reach the last 8 !!!

Good Luck ....

Disaster ...

Community Shield

Arsenal 3 Manchester City 0

What more can be said ??

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Summer

Well summer has gone this weekend and been replaced by winter .  Rain rain rain windy and cold …

What happened to autumn ?

Can not imagine seeing any hot weather again this year !! Not in the UK anyway.

That's life.

The Beatles Story

You'll find these fellows around the Beatles Story Exhibition on the Pier Head Liverpool.

Liverpool Festival Gardens

The International Garden Festival took place in 1984 and attracted  3.8 million visitors .The park was created from industrial wasteland and the idea was to help Liverpool regenerate itself.

After years of neglect volunteers are now trying to regenerate the site.For details visit www.liverpoolfestivalgardens.com

A lovely spot - quiet and peaceful unlike my last visit in 1984 with all the crowds  and attractions.

River Mersey from Otterspool

The River Mersey from Otterspool looking over to the Wirral and I assume Birkenhead.

The promenade at Otterspool is another pleasant place to walk in a summer's evening

Freshfield Formby - Sand dunes and woods

Back to photographs of Merseyside - here we have the nature reserve at Freshfield. The woods lead onto the sand dunes and the coast.A really pleasant area to walk and picnic but can be very busy at weekends with lots of cars searching for parking space.

Here you'll find that rare creature the red squirrel .

USA Football Tour

Both Manchester teams have got off to a good start in their pre-season tour of the USA.

Manchester City beat Sporting Kansas City 4-1 and Manchester United beat Los Angeles Galaxy 7-0.

Over the next week their opponents will include Liverpool, Real Madrid and the best of Italy. We'll await the results with trepidation !!!

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National Wildflower Centre Liverpool

We visited the Wildflower Centre a few weeks ago - admission was free because it was early in the season and very few plants were in flower.

You'll find the centre in Court Hey Park.

For details see www.nwc.org.uk

New Brighton

As a child we would go to New Brighton ( Liverpool's playground ) - train to Central Station, walk across the city to the Pier Head and then the ferry direct to New Brighton.

The ferry at New Brighton has since closed and the large amusement park burnt down many years ago.

Many landmarks remain - the lighthouse with ships making their way down the Mersey, Fort Perch Rock but the marina I think is quite new. Within the last forty years - that new …

For more information visit www.visitnewbrighton.com

Liverpool's modern skyline

Another view of Liverpool from across the Mersey .. more modern this time.

Not far from the Pier Head.

View across the Mersey

View from the promenade across the Mersey.

The famous Liver Building in the centre .

Pirate Boat

This boat was attracting a lot of attention when we were walking by - lots of clicking cameras.

It would appear to be made from driftwood and rubbish washed up on the river  Mersey.

Wallasey Town Hall

Wallasey Town Hall - what an imposing building ..