Saturday 26 to Monday 28 August 2023 - Grandchildren and Stuff

(Later) Coffee and cake in Didsbury Park

"Who's this scary person?"

"This is MY flapjack!"

In the field next to Fletcher Moss parkrun start

(Later) Playing at aeroplanes in Didsbury Park

Isabella's First Zipwire

There's a new pathway next to the childrens playground with lots of carved sculptures

The wellies went on for some puddle splashing, but a complete change of clothes was soon needed

"Lion needs to go home for some lunch and a nap"

Later, a lovely meal at Thyme and Plaice, with Bodge it and Scarper and their better halves

My starter had 'Verrine' in the description, perhaps referring to the container rather than its contents;

 anyway it was very tasty

On Sunday messages were flooding in from holidaying friends from the Arctic to the
Brenta Dolomites, while we were strolling harmlessly beside our local canal,
missing out on the trials and tribulations of Bank Holiday international travel

On Monday we joined Kate, Jacob and Jessica at 'Fix My Run', where tutor Mike was putting Jacob through his paces in a bid to improve his running technique.
Jessica joined in when she could

"Action Man!"

Good fun was had by all, including tutor Mike

Then Subway for lunch before a massage for Sue.

Saturday 26 August 2023 - Fletcher Moss parkrun #170

Wythenshawe Park was again blighted by the paraphernalia of an outdoor concert, so Sue and I drove to Mike's house in Didsbury and walked into the nearby park to the start of the Fletcher Moss parkrun. Andy, another refugee from Wythenshawe, as well as Paul and Jeanette, joined us on an overcast morning.

There are 'Pride' celebrations going on, and banners were being erected. It was the first time I've seen a Run Director arrive with step ladders!

 

Mike and Isabella turned up, and I think Mike may be tempted to push her round the course next time.

The two lap course takes a selection of paths in the Mersey Valley next to the fleshpots of Didsbury. The paths are wide, so there was plenty of space for all 313 participants. No records were broken by our little clique, though I notice that Jackie Cordingly set a challenging 'over 60' time last week and was only a few seconds off that this week.

Full results are here.

Afterwards we adjourned for coffee and cake at Didsbury Park, where there are playthings for Isabella (see next posting).

What a lovely way to start the weekend.

Wednesday 23 August 2023 - Lindow Moss with SWOG

Doesn't time fly? This was the last of SWOG's evening walks for this year. It's ten pin bowling next week...

Alison led 23 members of SWOG on a pleasant wander through the delights of Lindow Moss, where many years ago the remains of Lindow Man (aka Pete) were found. I've reported on this before, notably here, for anyone interested.

Nights are drawing in, and it was already a little gloomy as we started off with a circuit of Black Lake, pictured above.

The rest of my photos were blighted by an absence of decent light, as can be seen below.

Anyway, the walk went well and was very sociable. Leader Alison paused frequently to count up to 23, and nobody got misplaced for very long.

It's nice to visit familiar ground on somebody else's route, and I'm sure we went on a few paths I've not used, and mainly paths I have used, but not necessarily in that order. Here's the 6 km route taken by SWOG tonight. Other paths are available to either lengthen or shorten this walk.

My next evening walk is planned for 15 December - see here. I must try to plot some to take place before then. I'll sort out some mid-week walks as well. Watch this space!

Saturday 19 August 2023 - Wythenshawe parkrun #536

I responded to a plea for more volunteers today. Due to path closures the parkrun was on an old course involving two laps of the football pitches and other fields. It's a bit convoluted, with two-way traffic needing to be marshalled at Far Bridge. Siobhan is pictured there, waiting for the 286 runners to start from just outside the running track.

"Keep to the right" was today's mantra. A few errant runners were also subjected to "Where are you going" as they attempted short-cuts!

Ken led the way and finished two and a half minutes ahead of Andy, who nevertheless shaded it on the all important 'Age Related' criteria (though he himself was shaded by the third man home). Full results are here.

Towards the back, Owen was nurtured around by Andy and Jan.

A team of three fanatical cheerleaders ensured encouragement as the runners took the 180 degree corner at the end of The High Hedge.

Here's the cheerleader team. They certainly made their presence felt!

We eventually gravitated to the courtyard after I'd walked to the finish with Tail Walker, Zoe. It seemed slow, but everyone finished within an hour, which is fine.

A new set of officious notices regarding eating your own food, even infants, detracts from this place where the management are not at all friendly.

Wednesday 16 August 2023 - A Visit to The Crown at Worthington

This was a select gathering to celebrate Reg Kingston's 85th birthday, and thanks go to Reg for his generosity in organising the event for ten of his friends.

I arrived early and went for a 3.5km stroll beside the nearby railway line.

We assembled at 11:00 and after a fudge brownie for those who wanted one, we wandered off along a track that I think we took over ten years ago when some of us walked the Lancashire Trail with some Plodders from East Lancs LDWA.

Reg loves trainspotting, so we paused at the bridge and waited ...

After just missing being sprayed by insecticide / fertiliser, or whatever, we reached a track junction where Reg declared a 'turnaround'. "We don't want to be late for lunch!"

Roy kindly grabbed my phone to take a picture with me in it. We missed the old cameras that you could place on a post and take a self-timed picture of everyone.

Back at the Crown, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and a welcome beer, preceded by Don's 'film' of our past exploits on the Lancashire Trail. A muddy undertaking if ever there was one.

This was a lovely occasion, enjoyed by all, and thanks go to Reg again for organising it.

(My record of the Lancashire Trail exploits is here.)