All on our own in SF....

Monday 16 April

M & B were at work and school respectively today so we set off at about 9.30 a.m. to do the hippie trail around Haight - we saw the house where Janis Joplin lived in the Summer of Love  which is very smart these days and looks a nice area to live. The walk  seemed to grow as the day went on &  John has done a map to show where we went on the  11+miles of our day out. We all arrived home between 4.30 and 5 p.m. and B & M went to the gym and jogging respectively. J & I cooked spaghetti bolognaise and another day nears its end!

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=866073 - has to be worth a look!!

Here are a few photos taken along the way, I am sure there will be more on Flickr eventually!

A few nice Haight houses above and some gunnera at the botanic garden in Golden Gate Park plus a very friendly squirrel!

The Japanese Temple and the Civic Hall

Blogged with Flock

It's the weekend!

Saturday 14 April

Not a good start to the morning - rain!! However, by the time we set off for the ferry to Alcatraz it had stopped but didn't look too promising. We got the Muni to the end of Market St stopping for bagels, stuffed croissants and sandwiches to keep us going. A brisk walk along the Embacardero to Pier 33 and a very orderly queue for the ferry. They certainly know how to organise people in America but then most things are a federal offence if not done properly! The sky and water were very grey as we headed for the island....

Once landed (well organised with no eating or drinking after the dock) we climbed up the 4 switchback roads to collect our audio tour sets and spent the next hour or so in total silence following the trail around the prison as instructed on the tape by ex prison officers and inmates of the prison.

The cells were incredibly small and basic and it gave a really good idea of what life must have been like for inmates and officers. A quick look around the shop and a walk back to the ferry for the return trip via the Western gulls own particular patch of island. A brown pelican flew by too but didn't stop long enough for a photo! This magnificent gull was captured by M.

The weather was looking a lot better although somewhat breezy.

We continued our walk along the Embarcadero to Fisherman's Wharf which is the modern, American version of a pier with lots of shops, cafes etc - very touristy but worth a look. There were lots of big fat seals lying on pontoons near the piers! We headed off towards Downtown and Union Square, calling into Bloomingdales shopping mall for a brief sit down on their comfy chairs! Smart dome!

Very like the Trafford Centre - perhaps that is where Manchester got the idea from. We walked to Little Italy where we stopped at a lovely restaurant for a meal then carried on through to Chinatown. We popped into St Mary's Cathedral which survived the earthquake and then right along Market St and back to B & M's apartment. Time to load photos onto Flickr, blog, watch TV and visit Trader Joes (B & M) for lovely snacks and beer later in the evening.

Sunday 15 April

Ben decided that Santa Cruz was the place to be on a bright Sunday after a lazy start! We set off about noon for the 40+ mile journey via highways 101, 85 and 17 rather than the more picturesque but very windy coastal highway 1. Santa Cruz is famous for it Boardwalk which is basically a linear Blackpool with roller coasters, amusements etc. J, B & M bought corn dogs then we walked along the beach towards a quieter, more interesting stretch with lighthouse but where it was incredibly windy - not really conducive to sitting in the sun!

As the wind was behind us we hoped to find shelter on the other side of the lighthouse but unfortunately the harbour was in the way when we got there! We strolled back through the town to the parking lot and decided to drive back towards SF and found a Greek cafe in Palo Alto which is a stone's throw from Stamford Uni. We took a stroll through the town then did a small detour to try to find the Yahoo! headquarters where Ben will be working over the summer. I think this was definitely the highlight of the day for Ben and it certainly looked impressive. Was this the reason why he suggested Santa Cruz? Google was even bigger and better. J will probably be questioned by the Federal Police as he took photos!!

Back to Clementina St for relaxation (B & M went to the gym and shops!), TV snacks and so to bed - again. Tomorrow B & M are at work so we will be set loose to do some of the Downtown things suggested in Mandy's guide book! Ww have also offered to cook tea!! Watch this space.

Blogged with Flock

SF Travels cont.

13 April 2007

Set off at around 10 a.m. for Sonoma - the Wine Country! We called at the Visitor Centre for requisite badges and then after following a very poor map and one or two detours we ended up at our first winery called Benziger.

We had a really interesting tour to see where the grapes were grown and the machinery where they are processed then the man-made caves where the red wine is left to mature in oak barrels.

Then the interesting part of the day began with tasting of 5 different wines and then off to Sonoma Market for paninis for J,B & C, salad for M. We drove a short distance to the Jack London Estate Park where we picnicked and saw some cute lizards on a big rock! Then it was off to the next vineyard - Imagery. The wine labels were amazing - all done as very different works of art but each one incorporating a Greek temple which is the vinyard's logo. We tried another 5 wines each here - smiles all round! (some scarier than others!)

The final vineyard was just a stroll away and we sat in the sunshine tasting another 4 wines - not a bad end to the afternoon! Some competition for best photo of the day but I like the way that the rim of the glass lines up with the distant hills on this one.

We then set off for the town of Sonoma to our hotel for the night. French rustic style furniture and fittings (quaint according to J!) with a lobby which doubled up as the place for more free wine tasting - full glasses this time and as we seemed to be the only 'tasters' we were left alone well beyond the 6 p.m. limit and polished off a couple of bottles of a very acceptable Chardonnay. It was then off for a quick tour of the eating places that Sonoma had to offer. A Taste of the Himalayas won and proved a very successful option. Good food and only a stones throw away from the Irish Bar featuring a lady on guitar. Numerous rounds of beer, cider and Irish whisky followed whilst dominoes was the name of the game. Fortunately the hotel wasn't far away and everyone slept well that night!

14 April 2007

J & I did a tour of the town square before breakfast and found out about the flag of the bear being raised when the town became independent from the Mexicans. We breakfasted in the lobby on croissants, muffins and Danish pastries with juice, tea and coffee then walked down to the Mission and did a bit of cheese tasting on the way. A quick call to the Farmers' Market for strawberries then we set off back towards SF. Madeline driving as Ben felt less than 100% - just one Irish whisky too many? Highway 1 proved very elusive but after a stop at a store for picnic goodies Ben eventually found it and we headed for Muir Beach.

B found some fat orange starfish and anemones stuck to the rocks and M & I read and snoozed a little. We were conveniently located next to a seal skeleton on which we had a running commentary from the man next to us. M & B played a little Frisbee and ball and we picnicked on bread, ham, cheese (imported from England at great expense), chips (crisps), salsa, grapes and carrots. Ben then drove us to Muir Woods - interesting switchback road with ridiculous gradient. We were all amazed (some more than others) at the giant redwoods and spent a pleasant hour or so on the trail through the woods. On the way back we stopped at  Marin Heights for photo shoot opportunities of the Golden Gate Bridge which looked truly splendid but it was incredibly windy and we had to get over the bridge before 6 p.m. During rush hour it is free to cross with 3 or more in the car!

After a nice cup of tea and a bit of a rest it was off to Mission district to try to find a Mexican meal!  Parking anywhere near a restaurant proved impossible so we parked on a steep hill, walked back to Mission and found a small place to try a wide selection of very colourful Mexican food. Not sure what it all was but I am sure if you mentioned a particular Mexican ingredient then we had it! We found the car again then headed home at the end of a very busy day. And so to bed.

Blogged with Flock

Home thoughts from abroad.....

Monday 9 April 2007

A 4 a.m. start to the day with Mel taking us to the airport ready for our 6.40 flight to Heathrow. Once there we had plenty of time to grab somethings to eat (yoghurt, fruit puree & granola for me and egg & bacon sandwich for J), buy some perfume - the large size was much better value and a Peter Rabbit for ₤1 was an added bargain! We took off at about 11 a.m on the 10 hr and 30 minute flight to SF with frequent snacks and drinks and numerous perambulations around the plane - not much leg room! Amazingly I only slept for a couple of 15 minute stints and we arrived at around 2 p.m. SF time. Getting through the immigration checks didn't take too long and Ben was waiting there to whisk us off to 766 Clemantina Street.

After a tour of a very tidy apartment and copious glasses of water, Madeline was home from work and we all went off exploring to Twin Peaks with wonderful views over San Francisco and then a beach walk near Crissy Fields opposite the Palace of Fine Arts where we admired the wind surfers.

We scarily drove down Lombard Street which fortunately is one way extremely steep and winding and saw other sheer drops which are roads in some parts of the city and are crossed in places by equally steep streets with cable cars! I fully understand why Madeline wanted an automatic car! Then it  was out to Basil for a lovely Thai meal within walking distance of their apartment, a quick game of pool at an Irish Bar in which I helped Ben to draw even with J and M in the second game! J & I were asleep by about 9.15 p.m. but considering we had been awake for around 26 hours I think we did well. Jet lag? What jet lag?? M & B went to watch a reality TV show with Emily (M's sister) and B ate too many chips (crisps) which he regretted the next morning.

Tuesday 10 April

J & I were awake early and were showered, bright eyed and bushy tailed before our hosts were awake. Ben made smoothies for breakfast then off to see where Ben studies so hard. Very pleasantly green grounds surrounding less attractive buildings.

M, J and I climbed up onto a roof amphitheatre to get the best views of the surroundings whilst Ben went to plead his case to be allowed to work for Yahoo over the summer. We then went for coffee and muffins before heading back to Ocean Beach and rolling breakers, no surfers, but lots and lots of dogs! The local dog walkers seem to have anything up to 10 dogs and they all seem to get on very well together. Some very interesting, flat sea urchins which M reliably told us are called sand dollars. Must get one to bring home if we visit the beach again. Madeline's photo of the world through a hole was the winner!

Then it was off to the shops to view the trainers, (no purchase) and to buy goodies for a picnic which was eaten by the shores of Lake Merced surrounded by an interesting display of birds including herons, cormorants and starlings in disguise plus some lovely blackbirds with patches of bright red feathers.

Our experienced chauffeur then took us to Sausalito which is on the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge which looks very impressive as you drive over and seems very long. Rapidly going off the idea of walking over it later in the week as the road leading from it looks very busy and full of cyclists. Sausalito is very pretty with lots of boats and warm sunshine. We ate an ice cream whilst watching a fisherman land a 100lb batwing ray (his estimate not ours but it certainly looked very big). We then drove home and played Scrabble which M narrowly won (oxen on a triple word score did it!). Emily took us to a lovely Italian restaurant called Nob Hill Cafe where we saw the San Francisco twins!! Parking places seem to be at a premium in that area of the city but Ben (driving Emily's swish Audi) found a space!. A lovely meal was had by all and then it was home for a game of Scattergorie in which J managed to play completely the wrong round and still scored points and I won overall. And so to bed.

Wednesday 11 April

It rained, as forecast, during the night and early morning but fortunately cleared up for the rest of the day. A lazy start to the day for some!  Impressively, M went for a jog! B, J & I walked to Trader Joes for ingredients for the evening meal; Ben took his wok cook book with him to ensure he didn't forget anything!

A really nice shop with lots of local organic fresh produce and other  interesting goodies. Ben cooked eggs and goodies for himself and J and M & I had cereal. It was then time to walk to the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transport) station to get the train to Oakland Colliseum for the baseball game. (Thank you Mandy for our birhtday tickets!)

There are 9 innings in a match each of which continues until 3 players are out. We al now have an impressive knowledge of the rules and understand the terms, pitcher, catcher, home run and 3 strikes and out! A vast amount of food and drink seemed to be consumed by the 19,000+ people who were there including hot dogs and jacket potatoes for our party.The Oakland Athletics were playing the Chicago White Socks who were losng all the way through until near the end when an Oakland pitcher, who didn't seem to know how to play, managed to allow the  CWS to get 3 runs. The fianl score was 6 to 3 for the CWS who I was supporting against the odds. Back on the BART for a lazy hour or so and a nice cup of English tea! B skateboarded tot eh Post Office and Fed Ex to post his importand documents and post cards and was later convinced by us all that going to the gym would be a good idea whilst M got on with the next instalment of the Diana Gabaldon books and I was allowed on the computer!

Blogged with Flock

Toad's Day

Our walk today was one in which lambs took a back seat to TOADS! Starting from Hayfield, we stocked up with Eccles Cakes and headed off for the Snake Path. This picture was taken just as we were about to join the path (looking back towards Hayfield village)

Snake Path is apparently a famous right of way, dedicated in 1897; we passed through a number of kissing-gates until we reached the National Trust's High Peak estate; here the plateau of Kinder Scout filled the skyline in the open view that lay ahead.

Turning left off Snake Path we headed down through heather and bilberry on the fringe of Middle Moor. This turned into braken and rhododendrons as we approached the wall surrounding the grounds of Park Hall. Through a gate in the wall we swung left down to Little Hayfield; acroos the A624 and down to an old mill which has been tastefully converted into residential use. It was here that, a sign to warn mororists, Toads were first brought to our attention.

It was now time to climb again! Across two bridges, up a stone causey, then, climbing more sharpley, on to an ivy-covered house. Two stiles and an easier climb along a sunken track by a dry stone wall.

We never did see the apparentl unusual finger-post marking a six-way footpath junction but we cut south across rough pasture, inhabited by Highland Cattle and onwards and upwards to the summit of Lantern Pike.

Again this is National Trust Land. We headed, downhil now, south towards a drystone wall which we followed to the left and through a gate onto a farm track.

Sheep, the worse for wear, loosing their fleece were in feilds to either side of the path as we headed towards a minor road.

At the road we turned right and immediately left by a sign to Hegginbottom Farm. On this track, just after the sharp left at a hairpin, the first Toad was encountered. Chris was very worried about the "toad drying out" in the heat of the day.

She was all for carrying her to water or the shade; she didn't and we continued on our way, over a wall-stile on the right, before the farm buildings, and through two narrow squeeze-stiles.

Toad Two! much nearer the River Sett ahead and the reservior beyond; Chris was even more convinced that the previous toad, and possibly this one, should have been helped on their way to breed in either the river or reservoir.

We arrived, and crossed by bridge, the River Sett. No sign of toads but an orange-tip butterfly grabbed our attention; the path then negotiates the western end of the reservoir, containing a distinctive round island. This path was covered with toads! Chris and I had to take great care where we placed our feet; some females were carrying males on their back as they neared the water.

The path rose to a former railway, now known as the Sett Valley Trail. We stopped and had our Eccles Cakes before heading back along the Trail to the carpark.

The walk can be seen at http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=841861 and if you click on the hyperlink small next to the word elevation, you will see a profile of the walk as well. It may only have been 4.8667 miles but we also had two steep climbs.

Back home now and it is time to get ready for San Francisco. Chris is packing and I thought I'd better do the blog before I forgot what we did. Looking forward to seeing the San Franciscans tomorrow! Watch this space...

technorati tags:Hayfield, Lantern Pike, Snake Path, River Sett, Toads

Blogged with Flock

Catch up brother...

I've just been informed that I'm getting as bad as Lynn, my sister, at keeping up to date with the blog so here goes...

Last week we decided to keep local, with our Sunday walk, so we parked at Maghull station and walked to Hall Road Station. (Those of you who look at the flickr site will know that already) Take a look at Gmaps Pedometer where I've mapped the route we took.

The walk was listed as 8.5 miles but, as you will see, it was 8.6174 miles!

The celandines were something to see, especially in the wood near Little Crosby.

Walking past the road to Hall Road Playing Fields brought back many memories as did Waterloo Rugby Club when we passed it on the train...

Today, First of April, we walked in Barbondale; In Cumbria since the demise of Westmorland. We started and ended at St Bartholomew's Church...

Built in 1893 on the site of much earlier churches. To say lambs were about, would be an understatement... Chris was pointing them out throughout the day and all I could think of was mint sauce, rack of lamb etc. Mmmmmmmmmm

We did a slight detour to view the Bull Pot of the Witches; 210 feet deep (more details if you click on the picture below...

Now for the "different"! Along Fellfoot Road, on either side of the track, there are a series of what appear to be small sheep folds...

...each containing a "single large boulder"; They apparently are the work of an internationally renowned sculptor, Andy Goldsworthy.

I'm not quite sure what they are meant to represent, if anything! More research required. The 8.5 miles this week were much harder than last week, as there was quite a climb. However the bright sunshine, lambs etc. made it all worth while. By the way Lisa, this was a walk out of the book you gave me at Christmas. I'm looking forward to the rest!

Blogged with Flock

Mawdesley to Harrock Hill

Sunday and we were off to Mawdesley; weather wasn't good but "a little rain doesn't hurt anyone!".

With black clouds skittering across a "Fisherman's Jacket" sky, we set off towards Harrock Hill, with a bitter wind at our back. I did comment that at sometime we would have to turn back into the wind and face the wintery blast; we did and it wasn't nice at all.

Squashed frogs, primroses, celandines (A perennial Eurasian herb (Chelidonium majus) having deeply divided leaves, showy yellow flowers, and yellow-orange latex. Also called swallowwort) etc. pulled our wattery eyes to ditches and roads alike. Squashed frogs carrying spawn leave a very black, elderberry like, stain on roads. The blackthorn/sloe blossom was impressive (not May blossom; I always get them mixed up)

We made our way up Harrock Hill, a gentle slope at first, with views across Lancashire opening up as we acended; I took four pictures, when we rested near the top (on a well placed bench), and used autostitch to produce the following image.

The M6 and Camelot on the right, Preston in the centre and Southport on the left; in the distance the mountains of the lakes could just be seen (in the sunny spells. Continuing our walk we retraced our steps, of some months ago, as we neared the remains of the mill at the summit. Wouldn't it be a good place for a wind turbine in modern times? My cheeks suggested it would be ideal.

We left the mill and decended back towards Mawdesley; we were accosted by an inquisitive native, being taken for a walk by her dog; apparently the dog wouldn't move until we had caught up and told her where we were going. "Careless words, cost lives!" so I tried to keep everything quiet but, Chris was happy to tell all! We returned to the carpark via the millennium park, Mawdesleys offering to the 2000's.

To keep the youth of Mawdesley in control, the officials placed a reminder of what may happen to them, if they put a foot out of line. It worked, there wasn't a child to be seen anywhere! Come to that, nobody was around in Mawdesley during daylight...

Blogged with Flock

Using Flock

I'm trying out a different browser that allows me to blog directly to Maghull Meanders; if you can read this it has worked!

I should be able to drag images from the 'built-in' image bar (linked to my flickr account) such as the 'auto stitch' I produced today...

That was so much easier than the usual way I've been writing blogs. If, as I've said already, you can see this then take my word for it Flock may be the way to go!

technorati tags:Flock, Autostitch, Harrock Hill, Lancashire

Blogged with Flock

Where does time go??

It seems as if Chris isn't having much joy in uploading the images I've put on Flickr! having lost her text, at least twice, she has abandoned the blog in preference for Dum Aloo (Potatoe Curry); Today we went on our first walk for some time; Ruff Wood to Lathom and back to Ruff Wood. I had to take the picture of the 'Black Sheep' as it was unusual for them to be in the majority! They would go just as well with mint sauce as their fellow white sheep!
The day was 'fresh' and neither of us was looking forward to the second half of the walk when we would be walking into the 'stiff breeze'.
By the way Ben, Chris was wearing a very smart rucksack that apparently was a present from the USA! :-)
It is always surprising to see how close places are when you walk across country. Sorry I wittering! Ruff wood was full of white dogs exercising their owners and, although heard, a woodpecker avoided observation as it drummed out its beat on one of many fallen trees.
Crossing the main Ormskirk/Skelmersdale Road we headed across country past the afore mentioned sheep and joined paths we had walked before when walking the Burscough- Lathom-Burscough loop. We passed 'Ratty' just past the Lathom Hall' Chapel; Chris thought he was tired and just taking a power nap!
The second half of the walk was as expected; a cold wind into the face. We were greeted, near one farm, by a 'Tara' look-a-like who was as soft as... I was in danger of being licked to death! Soon it was back across the Skelmersdale-Ormskirk Road and up past St James' Church; it was just before we got to the church that, just before we crossed a stream, we saw the first primrose of the Year - and then some more.
The walk was coming to an end, walking past some large houses we both liked the look of the Half Timbered house pictured here. Note the 'white sheep'. Lynn, if you read this before I speak to Dad, tell him the walking stick behaved very well!
A quick stop in Ormskirk, M & S and the Veg stall on the market and it was back home for M & S soup and Rugby on the TV. Ireland managed the Triple Crown (beating Scotland by 1 point) and Italy beat Wales (by three points) who have yet to win anything! England France tomorrow... time will tell but I'm not expecting a win.

February Catch up...

February seems to have dashed by, no sooner have I celebrated my birthday (with a four hour journey home from work and a late celebratory meal at the Blue Elephant) than I'm off work with "man flu". I wouldn't wish that on any body. Before the Flu we had completed a walk that included part of the Delamere Forest; it also retraced some of our steps on the "Sandstone Trail". Images can be seen at Delamere Forest Walk by John Dalziel and as you will see, spring has arrived early! Lambs, snowdrops and Quince Blossom to name but three! This Sunday was the first time, since then, that I felt strong enough to attempt another of our walks so Chris and I set off to complete the Three Parks walk; we were just parking, back in January, to do this walk when Lynn telephoned to tell me mum had died so memories flooded back as we parked again. The following link take you to Bookr showing images of our walk with appropriate titles Liverpool 3 Parks Walk by John Dalziel
The walk, as you can see from the photographs, started in quite thick fog and ended in bright sunshine. Lots of spring flowers and birds, including a wood pecker, in evidence. At the end of the walk it was off to the Tate Cafe for a coffee and a bite to eat before returning home.

Another version of the photographs

I thought you may all want to look at another version

Not forgotten!

As Lynn said in her "Ulphies News", the 19th of January 2007 was one of the hardest days of my life; There wasn’t anything that I could do or say to ease the pain that I felt. Messages of thoughts and sympathy, from you all (and many others who couldn’t be with us on that day), have reinforced what, in my heart, I already knew.
Betty, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to many, was “a lovely lady”; “one in a million”; “thoughtful, caring, kind, loving and generous”; “she will be missed in the community of Hadleigh, by both young and old, and remembered for her hospitality, especially her cooking, and her smiling face”; “family was everything to her and she was very proud of us all and wanted to share that with us at every opportunity”.
Since her sudden death, Lynn, dad and I have found strength and comfort from each other and the wonderful memories of times we have spent together -
She is still beside us, in our hearts and always will be. This Bubblr Strip links together those of us who meant so much to her. This is for you Mum.

Darwen Tower & Sunnyhurst Wood

Below is a link to my bubblr accout of Saturdays walk. Just click on it once to activate; a second time to be taken to the 'actual size' strip.
I think this is an excellent tool for bloggers and has huge potential in teaching and learning. (Sorry I slipped into work mode!)
I'm sure Chris will want to add a few comments but I think the bubblr strip says it all!

Catching up

What a lot has happened since the last blog! J has spent a lot of time with his Dad and they both came home last weekend. I picked Madeline and Ben up from the airport early on Saturday morning and it was hugs and tears all around! They both had different ways of dealing with the inevitable jet-lag but I am not sure who won that one! A trip to Asda and an evening meal at The Pheasant on Saturday evening finished off the day and Dad seemed to enjoy it all. Sunday was clear and bright and we set off for Martin Mere to feed a few ducks.
B & M took quite a few photos (!!) and we all enjoyed the sunshine and ducks. I hope I am adding a photo from each collection to save arguments! We then headed to the Owd Barn for toasted cheese sandwiches and back home to view the photos! We played board games and laughed a lot with a few sad moments in between. Dad and I went to get Grandma’s photo printed out and to buy a frame on Monday and had a quick look round the new stands at Aintree. J had an interview on Tuesday and I went to work so the young ones kept Dad amused at the Ice Cream Parlour in Maghull, I suspect it wasn’t quite what Madeline is used to!! M & B cooked for us on Tuesday evening and J and Dad set off back to Hadleigh on Wed with Ben and Madeline who were dropped off at Mandy’s. I popped into work and went to the gym in the afternoon. Mel and I set off for Peterborough at about 1 pm on Thursday and finally arrived at midnight due to gales and road closures. I think that is all we need to say although I am thinking of writing a novel about our epic journey!! We all headed for Hadleigh on Friday for Mum’s funeral at Ipswich crematorium. It was amazing to see so many people and although a very sad occasion it was good to see so many friends and relations. J stayed on with Dad and the rest of us headed back to Peterborough. Mel, I, Ben and Madeline drove back on Saturday and J arrived just after us from Hadleigh. An early start to the airport on Sunday and having seen the lambkins safely off to the departure lounge, we went for a 4 mile walk around Dunham Massey. It was certainly cold but very pleasant and we saw lots of deer in the park, some of whom were trying to rub off their old antlers.
We waited to see if a set would just fall off nearby but unfortunately they didn’t. Disappointed we headed for the café for sandwiches and hot drinks. Everything seems to be back to normal now and everyone is at work today, I do not have to be in Southport until 10 am so thought I would just catch up before I set out for the day. We still have the internment to come but a chapter in our lives has ended and we all look forward to the next one, what ever that may be. With flights already booked for 9 April, San Francisco should be the next great adventure!!

A very sad Sunday

Last Sunday should have been a really good day, Mandy and Dave were home from Oz, Mandy was 30 and we were off for a walk around the parks of Liverpool. All that changed when we got the phone call from Lynn to say that Mum had died. There is that awful feeling that you just don't know what to do or say and so many things go through your mind in a few seconds. All the lovely times with the children when we lived in Fordham, the fantastic cooking and that very special feeling that I still had a mum even though not by birth. We phoned Mandy and Mel and John and Mel set off to Suffolk with me following in my car. We met Mandy and Dave in Hadleigh and it was good to see so many of the family united in grief. Dad seemed totally shocked and I know that John, Lynn and he have had a hard time of it this week with all of the arrangements to be made. As Lynn said, ‘a lot of tears but a lot of laughter’. I came home on Monday having stopped at Mandy's with Mel and life has resumed with a little bit missing. The joyous news to come out of all this is that Ben and Madeline are coming over tomorrow from the US in time for next Friday's funeral and having just read Ben's blog I am sure there will be a few more tears. Rest in peace Mum wherever you are and thanks for all the joy you brought into our lives. Ben’s photo for you says it all.

Happy New Year!!

A Happy New Year to all our readers. Glad you enjoyed the fireworks Mandy and Dave and that Oz is treating you well! The last few days seem to have been a bit of a lazy blur. I have been suffering with my back/hip since Wednesday and the gym didn't seem to help. I am much better now and we managed a 4 mile walk yesterday from a village in Cheshire, called Bunbury. Part of it was VERY muddy and part along the Shropshire Union Canal which was nice. I am booked in to see Diane on Wed afternoon so I am sure she will sort me out.
We spent a very exciting new year's eve in front of the TV with Mel and bottle of wine and champagne. The fireworks in London looked very good on the TV but doubtless not as good as Sydney! They cancelled the Liverpool celebrations due to very high winds - I have seen worse! Have just been on an abortive trip to see if any shops were open but they were not. J nearly bought a new watch from Colin Beaver (who was there in person!!!) but they didn't have a big enough strap. What a crazy life we lead!! I can't believe where the last 10 days have gone but it is back to work tomorrow and only a few days before the OZ wanderers return - but you probably didn't need reminding of that sorry.

December 27 2006

Have just caught up with the traveling bloggers - fancy having the heating on in S California!! Your photos are all lovely and it is great to see what you are all up to. Jan and Dave came yesterday around noon and we headed off for Crosby to see the Anthony Gormlley figures. Quite a few festive decorations and a very very cold wind on the return walk but good to get out for a blow.
Back home for spicy soup and traditional Boxing Day cold buffet with trifle to follow and good wine. Liverpool were on TV so Mel was excused from the table at 3 pm! We all tried the sloe gin which was very pleasant and well worth the wait; you will have to celebrate the big 30 with some Mandy!! I have suggested going to collect some sloes tomorrow if it is fine ready for next year's bottle. We started playing Balderdash at around 6.30 pm closely followed by Pit and Pictionary and Janet was amazed when it was only 8.30! We gave up at around 10.30 as there was a lot of yawning and after a Bailey's for Jan and whiskey for J and I we went to
bed. We all had a lie in this morning and it was well past 9 am when we got up. J and D left about 11ish and we went to Asda to buy a few essentials! A lazy afternoon and plans for going to the gym tomorrow - how lazy can you get in a week! Take care and keep blogging. Thanks to Greg for his wonderful Christmas letter and for the Christmas card, lots of love xx

Christmas 2006!

Christmas is almost over for another year! Strange to hear tales from around the world of Christmas swims – perhaps we will try it tomorrow if we make Formby! We have had a good day with nice food and drink and some good presents. Thanks Ben and Madeline, I am looking forward to my grown up book, I shall try to read it in the daytime so I don’t fall asleep.
We did a repeat walk yesterday of one we did a couple of years ago on the Wirral, We decided that 12 miles of the Ribble Way was a little ambitious for Christmas eve! We did 10 miles last week and it was very boggy in places and almost dark when we got back. Perhaps we will get an early start next week and go for it. We saw lots of birds yesterday; because it has been so mild lately I think they have missed out winter and are getting into Spring mode. We saw a huge flock of curlews (big birds with long curved beaks!) and quite a few flowers which shouldn’t have been in flower. Hopefully J will provide the pictures. We are both off work now until 2 Jan but poor Mel has to go to work on Wednesday! Not sure what we will do, possibly lots of trips to the gym for me to get rid of the Christmas sloth! (Two toed).I think there is probably a connection Ben between the drink and the hangovers, perhaps you are just getting too old to keep up the pace!! Glad you had a good time with Paddy and Katie; let me know if you think a week in SF would be a good idea in April and if you would have any time to spend with us?? I know you are busy but we can do some self entertaining too – I have the book! As you are going to be there for at least 2 years I am sure we could come again later and possibly do the trip down south? Let us know what you think sometime!
Lots of love to you both and the OZ travellers too – take care if you meet any big kangaroos!! xx

Catching up .....

Last weekend we had Mandy and Dave to visit, which was nice. They arrived uncharacteristically early on Friday evening so had to go to the chippie for tea as we had already eaten! Saturday we went to Southport shopping as Dave had discovered that there was Russell & Bromley shoe shop there. He bought boots and trainers which was a great success but I don’t think anyone else got anything. We went home via Farmer Ted’s for meat and the farm shop for veg and a hot drink and snack, apart from Mandy whose toasted teacake never arrived.
On Sunday M & D did a bit more shopping at Asda and we had lunch around 2 ish – steak and kidney with dumplings followed by baked Alaska which seemed to go down well. Lovely to see them before their great Antipodean adventure (is that the right word??). The rest of the week was pretty much as usual, work, sleep, gym. TV etc. Friday night I parcelled up Mel’s gifts for Ben and Madeline and delivered them to Tickle’s mum who was amused that I called her daughter Tickle rather than Katie. I was equally amused that she only knows Ben as Scouse! We wrote all the Christams cards and I wrapped up books for the great nephews and niece. Yesterday I did some bits of Christmas shopping for people at work (I suffered a serious cardboard cut in M & S which bled profusely!) then in the evening we went to the Packet Steamer with Mel and Lucy and Ian who had come up to watch the football. Mel had got them tickets and we had a very pleasant evening of good food and pleasant conversation. I had my hair cut in the afternoon, I am glad to say that it has nearly recovered from the butchering at Toni & Guy.
As the forecast for today was stormy with strong winds and wall to wall rain we decided not to continue with the Ribble Way and went instead in search of culture. We went to the Walker Art Gallery where there was an animation thing called Insyde http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/whatsonnet/displayexhibitions.aspx?mode=current&venue=2#InsydeInsyde
which kept us amused for quite a while. We then went and looked at 3 rooms which had been rehung with modern art – pretty rubbish! Then it was off to the Tate to see the Henry Moore sculptures (J got told off for stroking one!) and then to the Paul Caulfield exhibition which was quite nice. http://www.tate.org.uk/liverpool/ The big canvas of brightly coloured pots on the web site was my favourite. We then went to the Tate café and I had toasted blue cheese with roasted pear and rocket leaves – very tasty. We have just watched the last bit of the semi final of X factor which we missed last night and poor Ben has been sent home!! I think it might be crossword and nap time now as J is watching rugby! Looking forward to tales of Oz and San Fran xx