Rain and Run

9 June - a quiet time in Timperley. Except for the vegetation, which is growing at a furious rate.

I was looking out for Kingfishers whilst sheltering from a brief shower. They didn't oblige.

By Saturday, it was time for another 5km run. Parkrun's usual venue wasn't available, so we adjourned to the back-up route which is also the original route on which Paul once came in first. I think he still holds the record for the slowest first position.

And so we gathered in the field behind the running track.

After a slow start, I passed Jeanette near the end. Here she is, finishing in front of a lady with a hair problem.

And here's her bag man.

We were slowed down by the grass, but we benefited from what appeared to be a 4.9km course. Full results are here.

Sue finished in 25:11, position 84 out of 317 participants.

I was in position 224 in 32:25.

A nice bit of exercise...

In the garden this morning (16 June), I turned on Seek to identiy a most persistent noisy bird that turned out to be a coal tit, and after a few minutes the following birds had passed within earshot:

Blackbird
Coal Tit

Dunnock

Goldfinch

Robin

House Sparrow

Carrion Crow

Starling

Jackdaw

Black-headed Gull

Barn Owl

25 to 27 May 2026 - Around Timperley and a Spunch at Marple

The Bridgewater Canal's towpath in Stretford currently houses a wonderful display of Early Purple Orchids. I passed them on my way to Didsbury to feed Millie, who wouldn't let me leave.

There was a very summery feel to my bike ride beside the River Mersey, just approaching Simon's Bridge in Northenden at this point.

Later in the day (25 May), a routine 5 km stroll from home with Sue brought us past some nice reflections.

The Merlin 'App' delivered sounds from about 20 different birds, plus a number of 'Seen but not Heard' - Carrion Crow, Canada Geese and Black-headed Gulls.

26 May, and I couldn't resist the tempation to enjoy iced coffee in a garden in Hale. Thanks, P&J. En route I passed King George V Pool, where there's a fine display of Yellow Iris flowers.

 

Then on 27 May, Sue and I enjoyed our fourth adventure into 'Spunch Land' in the woods around Etherow and Marple Bridge.

The pictures should speak for themselves.

As usual, we met a few people who we knew - Tim and George, and Jenny (an old work colleague of Sue's) and her daughter Abbie. As usual, there was post run food, and we enjoyed tasty fare from the Wong menu - they set up outside the Northumberland Arms especially for the occasion. It was well attended, with about 125 participants for the three timed options - 60, 90 and 120 minutes. We have always chosen the 120 option.

All very jolly. Here's where Sue and I went during our alloted two hours. We covered almost 13 kilometres. Our results are also shown below.

Well, that was fun. All after a visit to 101 year old Dot, who's recovering from a fall and is having memory problems.

Late October 2025 - Timperley, Wythenshawe parkrun #637 and a family meal

Just near the centre of Timperley there's a nice avenue of trees beside Park Road. The autumn colours are striking if you can catch the area when the sun is out. Sadly, the picture above is the best I could manage this time around, since when more leaves have fallen.

Saturday morning brought showers and sunshine at Wythenshawe Park, where I managed a snap through the fence of the hall in bright sunlight.

Some 342 folk participated in parkrun #637, including a few legends - Maggi, Graham and Jeanette in the pictures below.

They were closely followed by Ralph and Nobby, making a rare but most welcome appearance.

However, the star of  the show was Jan, who was running at a parkrun for the 500th time, the majority being here at Wythenshawe, as well as over 50 volunteering appearances. He's pictured here with Ron and Nobby, who together with Lisa and many more came along in support of Jan and the several trays of cupcakes he brought with him with which to celebrate. Thank you Jan.

Full results are here.

A long awaited family lunch took place in Timperley on Sunday, with Mike arriving later due to a performance with Hootin' Annies Big Band, where he's the resident guitarist.

One of the youngsters wolfed down her food before trying on her new hat...

I think she was attending in her 'Princess Mischief ' role, egged on by her older cousins.

What a lovely afternoon.

31 July to 4 August 2025 - Some Runs, a Park and The Night Owls

The fourth and final Sale Sizzler 5km race of the season took place on 31 July, with a splendid turnout of 605 runners. With a 'good for me' time of 29:53, I came home in position 592. Sue was six minutes ahead and ready with a cup of water for me at the finish. Results may be found here.

Saturday morning found us at Wythenshawe parkrun number 628. This was Run Director Jenn's 500th parkrun. Here we are, lined up at the start.

Rather surprisingly, I managed 29:48, quicker than on the Sizzler course, in position 245 out of 421 finishers. Full results are here. What a contrast between these two events!

The usual suspects - me, Sue, Paul, Jeanette, Andy, Owen and Jenny were joined by Keith and Carol from Crosby on their 39th wedding anniversary, and non runners Nick and Daniella from Nuremberg. Nick is an old university pal of mine and is mentioned elsewhere on these pages in the context of Via Ferrata escapades, and my first Alpine backpacking trip to the Lechtal Alps in 1980.

Sunday's Wythenshawe Community run was the last in a trio of 5km runs for me, and I was fairly tired after getting around the same course as the Sizzler in 33:33. Why do you feel more tired after a slower run?

Anyway, Monday's 5km was at a leisurely walking pace, on a nice route from home that incorporates De Quincey Park, looking as green as is possible in midsummer.

Later, the hotpot supper evening at Eagley Jazz Club was enlivened by good food (delicious cheesecake) and a great performance by Salford's jazz band, The Night Owls.

Saro, Sangeerththa and Sophie were all in good form, as well as Reg.

Superb...

Wednesday 7 May 2025 - De Quincey Park, and Didsbury

 

It's looking very green by De Quincey Park just now.

I'm on Millie duty for a few days, so visits to Didsbury are needed. It's very green there, as well.