Wednesday 8 October 2025 - A Visit to RHS Bridgewater Gardens

Sue and I enjoyed the bike ride along the Bridgewater Canal towpath to the RHS Bridgewater gardens. It's an hour each way, with half an hour in the café and an hour and a half in the gardens, so a good way to spend a morning and be home for lunch.

There's still quite a bit of colour to brighten up a gloomy but fine day.

I hope the restaurant makes good use of all the fine looking purple sprouting broccoli just now.

This may be a good time to assess which Hydrangeas produce the best results. There are lots of different varieties on trial in a section of the gardens.

Monkshood is still flowering in a vibrant blue colour.

We walked around the lake a couple of times - thus meeting our usual 5 km target for the time spent in the gardens.

Sue went to examine the Sulfur tuft fungi that are beneficial to the garden as they live on dead material, recycling the nutrients. The very similar Honey tuft fungus grows on living material, so is not so welcome.

On our way back, I paused for a picture of 'Edgewater View' in Stretford, which may be nearing completion.

A little further on, Watch House Cruising Club has been busy painting the walls and erecting posh new signs.

Monday 6 October 2025 - The Tame Valley Stompers at Eagley Jazz Club

After a ropey start, this old favourite band played to a slightly disappointing audience at Eagley Jazz Club. My photos were also disappointing, but they are here, just for the record.

The band's current musicians are: Terry Brunt: Trombone, famous striped scarf and leader; Mike Mason:  Trumpet; Paul Broomhead: Reeds; Peter Semensky: Drums; Peter Smith: Bass; Andy Wagstaff: Banjo and guitar.