15 March 2018

The Ides of March! Still fairly warm with a mixture of rain and sunnier spells. Finally got around to putting more insulation in the roof. Yes, I know its a bit late but its never too late! The trickiest bit is the kitchen roof which is a fairly narrow cavity but with a bit of thrutch, I managed it.

14 March 2018

Off to work. Started in the foodbank at 10.00am. It was fairly quiet in terms of customers but that gave us a chance to take stock of supplies and do some sorting. Good bunch of volunteers who I enjoyed working with.

I dashed back home and the off for a stint at Citizens Advice in the afternoon. This was cut short b a dentist's appointment at 3.50pm - front filling. Nearly keeled over at the cost - £56! - and this is on the NHS. How can people on minimum wage afford this?

13 March 2018

Much better day! Felt like the first day of spring with temperature of about 10oC. Reasonably sunny afternoon in which I manage to sort out the greenhouse and planted some potatoes - Charlotte - and parsnips. Still loads to do but I already have in garlic, peas, broad beans, potatoes and parsnips.

12 March 2018

It's grey and raining. Pretty uninspiring day in which I didn't do much except mess about on the web. I need to switch my laptop off!

11 March 2018

Fairly bright day, no rain and still12oC, which seemed almost tropical after the cold spell we had 10 days or so ago. Its Mother's Day so I am remembering my Mother today. 

My Mother - Mavis Thorp

In the afternoon I visited the Anderton Boat Lift. Built in 1875 it provides a 50-foot (15.2 m) vertical link between two navigable waterways: The Trent & Mersey Canal and the River Weaver. I followed this by a trip just down the road to Marbury Park and Budworth Mere, thence to Great Budworth. I visited the splendid church and popped into the George and Dragon Pub for a quick pint of John Willie Lees MPA.

The Trent & Mersey Canal

The Anderton Boat Lift

Budworth Mere. You can just see the church tower on the right

10 March 2018

Dull day, turning to rain in the afternoon. But 12oC! Great result from Old Trafford beating Liverpool 2 - 1 😊. Afternoon trip to look at the artisan market.

The Plaza. It's a real shame nobody can find a use for this building.

Artisan Market

One of our artisans

9 March 2018

It's the fag end of winter. The garden is looking very drab but its time to swing into action. Three beds prepared - the photo shows the two small ones. The bed on the right now has 50 onions in it. The broad beans, garlic and peas I planted in November are all doing well.

8 March 2018

Woke up to find it snowing. I'd thought that was over. Snow didn't stick and it brightened up later. A day of sorting things out. Went to the jewellers to try and resolve the problem with Dad's Grandfather clock and another trip to Barons Quay. In the afternoon met up with Transition Northwich members to sort out our planned business conference, and in the evening some of us had a curry social at the Salty Dog.

Green walls at Barons Quay

At the Salty Dog. Annoyed that this is blurred but its the only photo so.....

7 March 2018

Much better day. Bright and sunny, and about 8oC at lunchtime. No car so I didn't get to the foodbank or Citizens Advice. Sorted out quite a lot of stuff including a Mothers Day present for Carol. Had a walk to the pharmacists in the village to get a prescription and it started hailing. How do you take a photo of hail? Here is my effort.

6 March 2018

This is tricky. Forgot to take a photo! in my defence, it was a day which I spent most of trying to sort out my laptop - not great for photos. So here is a photo I took of a sunset on Eaton Lane a couple of years ago.

5 March 2018

Dull day, and a pretty routine one
Doing some shopping
And a trip to the cafe
For coffee and a tea cake
Don't pay for the Guardian
I get it for free

4 March 2018

Lots of complaints about potholes! There is a local contest to find a photo of the biggest pothole because roads are in such a poor state. This is hardly surprising given that council budgets have been cut by 40-50% during 8 years of Tory austerity. Here's one opposite our house, about 12 inches across - that's the actual hole.

3 March 2018

Still cold. Still people trapped in cars - this time the M62 which is closed. The South West and South Wales have borne the brunt of the snow with drifts of up to seven foot in places. Some villages in Devon are still cut off. Here in Cheshire its business as usual.

Frozen water butt - we're expecting a thaw tomorrow

Another one of my garden Bhuddas 

2 March 2018

Still freezing and we are still being told not to travel. Snow here has largely gone apart from a few frozen patches. I decided to risk leaving the house for a two-mile journey to B&Q to get some more insulation. This is for a narrow roof space which is difficult to get at. Something I should have done ages ago - of course.

1 March 2018

Another freezing day. Snowmaggedon continues. More trains cancelled and more roads closed. Time to crank up the log burner.