19 to 22 January 2024 - Another Visit to Center Parcs (Sherwood Forest)

There's a full list of our Center Parcs visits since 2007 here.

This trip was the usual format, with five of the seven of us exercising madly, Lyn suffering from bad knees caused by a failed operation over twenty years ago, and disabled Louise now on a mobility scooter.

The lake was frozen. Canada Geese and a variety of gulls were slipping and sliding on the ice, which many preferred to sitting in the cold water. (Wouldn't you?)

Sue and I went for a swim in the pool. Others arrived at chalet 868 a bit later.

A prawn and squash curry went down well.

Saturday morning, and Sue and I went along to Sherwood Pines parkrun for the fourth time. Robert joined us for his first ever parkrun. (The first of many?)

Full results are here.

Then, after Gerry and Chris had enjoyed a bit of archery, and coffee and cake had been consumed, the active five went off to play badminton. Four of them enjoyed that. I can't hit the slow moving object that is supposed to be sent over the net. 

After lunch, bowls. Everyone could manage that as long as we played from the same end.

The family ball wall on a squash court followed. I failed to record the mayhem, but I did get this picture of Sue trying to play the piano before we left.

Robert and Lyn provided an excellent beef meatloaf for dinner.

Sunday started with table tennis - one of several visits to a table that five of us could enjoy without getting too knackered.

Nearby, the game of Pickleball was in progress. Here are the rules. We hadn't come across this game before.

Squash followed. Sue tried to play against Chris.

Outdoors tennis was booked, but was cancelled because of windy conditions. It was deemed too dangerous to play on the courts away from the trees, but quite safe for children to play in a playground under overhanging trees! (Health and Safety gone bizarre?)

Later, after an entertaining and successful game of pickleball, a walk back to the chalet through the Winter Forest Lights. 

Dinner was Chicken and Chorizo Jambalaya, provided by Gerry and Chris, who also supplied a tasty 'Mystery Dessert'. (Summer pudding.)

Monday morning was spent playing table tennis, pickleball and bowls, whilst watching a crane recovering a large tree that had fallen overnight into the Winter Forest Lights.

Then an easy hour and a half drive home.

Another most enjoyable Center Parcs visit. Thanks everyone for your company.

Tuesday 16 January 2024 - Snow in Timperley

Tuesday morning, and a snowy scene greeted us.

Time for a breakfast ritual! (Wordle)

The bin man turned into Action Man!

The view to Brooklands.

And the view towards Altrincham, from Timperley Bridge.

By Thursday morning the snow had gone, leaving a cold canal under a layer of ice, and a frosty towpath. Sue and I walked in to Sale, pausing on our return at Marsland Bridge (Brooklands) for the next two pictures on another blue sky day.

Monday 15 January 2024 - The Harlem Hot Stompers at Eagley Jazz Club

 

I usually take a photo near the end of the performances at the Jazz Club, but today I was foiled by circumstances.

After wrestling unsuccessfully with their microphone's amplifier, the vocalists of the band struggled manfully, but not entirely successfully, to project their voices across the 100 seater hall.

They were much in need of a break, and the trademark pasties, after nearly an hour on stage.

Sue and I were overdue a raffle win, and a bottle of Prosecco was a welcome reward tonight.

After more futile attempts during the break to get their voices amplified, the band pressed on. They did very well under the circumstances, especilly when after asking for requests they were confronted with yet more vocal challenges.

The vocalists really were pretty hoarse by the time Derek announced the last two numbers. At this point double bass player Dave Parr put them out of their misery by collapsing in a heap. His instrument was rescued, and first aid applied, but clearly this was the end of a difficult night for the band.

In the absence of a photo, the flier for the evening is shown above. We do hope that Dave fully recovered, and we look forward to seeing the band, hopefully with a working microphone, again on 18 November.

A Wintry Walk to Dunham Massey

Sue and I enjoyed a 'Blue Sky' morning by way of a walk to Dunham Massey and back. We've done this many times. My last visit was in the dark on a Christmas run (see here), quite a contrast to today's stroll.

I'll comment only by way of captions. Readers can click on any picture (in web version) for a better version or a slideshow.
 

The canal was frozen in Timperley. The ice was just strong enough to hold a Canada Goose,
but when they sat on the ice they soon plunged into an icy dip as they warmed the ice

The towpath beyond the former Bay Malton pub is generally muddy at this time of year, 

but not today, thanks to the hard frost

All this sunny weather has faded the Swan's pub sign!

The River Bollin is crossed here, by way of a narrow footbridge

The old mill was converted into luxury apartments many years ago

The weir, pictured from the bridge, is another sign of historic power generation for the mill

Just beyond the bridge, a restricted byway, thankfully firmly frozen, 

leads to the grounds of Dunham Massey

The old mill next to the hall has been in use for over 400 years

The blackamoor sundial that graced this spot in front of the hall for many years has become a subject for controversy

November 2010

We enjoyed a brief whizz around the Winter Garden.

Himalayan Birch

Daphne odora

Witch Hazel

Skimmia

There are many snowdrops sprouting, but the Winter Garden is only really just starting to get going. We've visited it many times before, as recorded here, and expect to see more in coming weeks

From Dunham Massey, it's a pleasant walk to the golf course and thence to Altrincham

We passed St Margaret's Church, where Sue rings the bells

Our plan to get a tram home was foiled by problems with the points, so we walked, 

passing a minor road closure that is predicted to last for ten months!

Beyond the Navigation Recreation Ground, Timperley Brook used to flow under a mass of vegetation dominated by Himalayan Balsam. A team of volunteers (I assume) spent many happy hours in the autumn, clearing the land around the brook most effectively. That didn't take ten months!