WHERE DOES THE TIME GO ?

I have been trying since Tuesday - 4 days ago - to get a new blog up. But as soon as I think I have got a spare half hour - there's something else to be done.

Its been a busy week - a Committee meeting on Monday, a Members Morning on Thursday, and my Creative Writing Group on Friday. (I'll tell you about Wednesday in a mo!) All of these activities are connected with me being Secretary of the local U3A, which for those who don't know, is the University of the Third Age, a National Organisation for the over 50's, who are retired or not working. Basically, the stored and deep knowledge of its members is given to Groups who are interested. Like learning a language, Photography, Handicrafts, Painting, and where I go, Creative Writing.

Now our CW Group is putting on a performance (?) of the "12 Days of Christmas" at our Christmas Party in a fortnight, and I can tell you, if it all goes right, hopefully it will be very funny. Though I have a feeling if it all goes wrong, it will be even funnier!

Wednesday we went to one of my favourite stores, Lakeland, a wonderful store selling everything domestic. Then we went to Bramhall, where we, as usual, trawled the Charity Shops. Bramhall is a lovely little town, lots of boutique-y shops, and really nice places to have lunch. I must say, being a town in the wealthier end of Cheshire, we did find a very high quality of goods in the charity Shops.

If you are wondering what my collage is all about - its leaves. As all the leaves have mostly come off the trees now, and down onto our lawn, I thought I'd post some leaves that I enjoy looking at!





And the second photo is the lovely sky on Tuesday evening. We haven't got much of a view to the west here, but it was so colourful I had to take a shot of it.

UP IN THE FOOTHILLS

Sunday afternoon looked like being sunny, if not very warm, so we drove up to Teggs Nose Country Park. Teggs Nose is the end of an outcrop of rock that has been quarried for years for a very pleasant building stone, used all round here. The quarry is now disused, and is part of a bigger area designated a Country Park.




Unfortunately when we got up there, the cloud was low, and it was a very dull day. Not really good for photography! But I hope you can see that there is a long, rther dull path to get up to where we were going. Mr. G didn't think I would make it.




But I did! However, those steps are wickedly steep, and although the old rickety railing has been replaced with a much sturdier one, I knew I couldn't get up there, so went round the long way round a sort of tump.........




........past an Ash tree, which in better weather has a lovely view to the west.......




........and up to where the old quarries start. Now the spoil heaps and rock are all covered with heather, which looks lovely in the late summer, but is just brown now.




There are great views from where we got to, even though there is much more, higher up. However, it was bitterly cold up there, with a wind so strong I had difficulty in keeping my balance and holding the camera straight and steady, so we turned for home.




Mr. G found it unpleasant, I like a good blow, and it was great to get out, and the dog had a wonderful time!




Back down at the entrance to the car park we are told its is 168 miles to London. The road here is the Old Buxton Road, very narrow and tortuous, so a New Buxton Road was built, wider, but still with bends all the way. It has the sorry title of the most dangerous road in England, as it is used by motorcyclists keen on seeing how fast they can go. There have been far too many fatal accidents over the years, and many more people injured. The Police and the Council have done a lot to make it safer, speed cameras and in the summer holiday season, the Police spotter plane all have a big presence. But there are always some idiots around.

I enjoyed my windy walk, and was delighted I could get to somewhere high enough to have a view. Now, next time its sunny, and clear, and perhaps not so much wind........

EARLY NOVEMBER

As it was my birthday (no, I'm not saying!) this week, my daughter came over and she, Mr. G and I all went to try out the new Cafe at our local Garden Centre. It proved to be very good indeed, the food was lovely, home-cooked, and a great place to have a very pleasant lunch out.



Afterwards we wandered round the indoor part of the Centre. They had all their Christmas things out, decorations and presents galore, and although I think it was too early for such things, I enjoyed it very much! I was very taken with these tartan reindeer, who had a really perky expression on their faces!




Baubles, and all sorts of decorations looked very inviting put in baskets.




By the Gardening section we came across these model hens, which looked so realistic I could have bought them all! They were very expensive, though, and for them to look good you would want a group of them, and then you would have to have the right sort of garden (or estate, even!) There were also model dogs and pigs.




Outside, (but covered over, thankfully, as it had started to rain!) there were bedding plants......




.....and loads of beautiful cyclamen. I loved the really dark ones, but they would have been lost against the wall in our hall, so I bought a pale-coloured one with really pretty leaves!




There was a lovely display of foliage too. All told, it was a really good Birthday Visit!




From our upstairs windows, the park and our garden, are looking quite autumnal. (Sorry about the bit of clothes line at the bottom!)




There are some glowing late roses in the park, where they are sheltered from the north and east...........




........And the beech leaves make a gorgeous carpet. This part of the park will be covered with daffodils and narcissi in the Spring.

I wonder what sort of winter we will have this year?