Postcard from Timperley: 22 to 26 June 2023

Tuesday 27 June 2023

22 to 26 June 2023 - A Quiet Time in Timperley

Whilst we were so rudely interupted by tales from 2001 and 2005, life continued in Timperley.

On a hot Thursday evening, Sue and I cycled to Wythenshawe Park, where Sue took part in the Sale Sizzler 5km race and I supported by ringing a bell of encouragement on the final corner of the track. I took no photos, so made do with a picture of Sue in our garden afterwards - this to record her breaking her 5km personal best for the second time in a week, this time taking it down a further three seconds to 23:41.

A couple of days later, we were back at the park for a very gentle 5km parkrun, where Andy accompanied Owen and Sue jogged round in 28 minutes. Full results are here.

Here's a group of finishers, led briefly by noisy Rufus who dashed off for 1km then slowed down - Paul could do with providing him with pacing lessons. It was good to see Cary back from his travels, but a shame not to see Isabella, who would have been upset by Sue's need to leave immediately after the run to go to a child's birthday party.

I walked with Jeanette for the first lap, then sped up for the second, so despite a slow time of 35 minutes I pictured Jeanette finishing, from a prone position!

Back in Timperley, the garden was full of tubs whilst the paving was waiting for Sue to subject it to 'de-rustification'. That's an ongoing process, aided by Paul and Jeanette's high pressure washer, and some rather deadly chemicals. The birds keep landing but will be disappointed to find no food for a while.

Saturday afternoon was spent in Bacup with Kate, Jacob and Jessica (sadly no pictures), after a brief visit to Didsbury to collect Jessica's coat. Isabella and Ted were pleased to see us, albeit briefly.

Isabella does get attached to things. Her feet are now squeezed into certain shoes, and some of her favourite clothes are too small for her. She likes the twirly skirt worn today, and the magic wand and Ted don't need replacing with larger items (though she has to be reminded that Sue's 'Ted' is merely on holiday in Didsbury!).

Since then Grandma Sue has received a telephone call from Isabella, informing of a first 'potty success'. Everyone is very pleased, and we hope that nappies will soon be 'history'. Don't they grow up fast!

On Monday, Sue and I took advantage of the sunny weather and cycled to Wythenshawe Park to explore the 4km cycle route near the perimeter of the park, and try out some of the 'single track' routes - the green and blue ones, anyway - the red ones were deemed too hard. This large park was looking well. We cycled nearly 20km.

Some new benches have been acquired by the Courtyard Tea Room. It's a shame there's no new manager.

Whilst Sue returned via Tesco, I came by my usual route, taking the canal towpath from Brooklands. Seemingly very quiet, as shown below, but an electric scooter had just whizzed past me...

Later, De Quincey Park showed all its fine greenery, and no sign of any scooters, let alone electric ones. This small park is the domain of push chairs and dog walkers.