Monday 15 July 2024 - A Visit to RHS Bridgewater gardens

Sue and I chose to cycle along the Bridgewater Canal towpath, to RHS Bridgewater and back, just four weeks since our last visit.

It was a lovely day to be by the canal, and on the outward journey we were joined by another cyclist who just wanted a bit of company and some route guidance.

On the return leg we encountered a runner near the Trafford Centre. He was going like the clappers, so I stayed behind and offered encouragement. He was traveling at about 11 mph, which is a nice cycling pace for me. He turned round in Stretford and offered thanks for the encouragement (I had wondered whether I was upsetting him).

Here are a few canal photos taken around Worsley. The colours reflect the mining history of this canal.

The gardens have changed significantly in the past month. The following pictures represent its July colours.

There's probably little change in the cactus beds since our last visit

Here, a lot of similar plants, in a bid to establish which variety is best;

the blank area on the right is awaiting similar treatment

Back home for lunch - it's an hour/ten miles each way.

Later, a jazz hotpot supper and entertainment from Rae Owens and his Chicago Teds. Excellent.

We left with a bottle of Bollinger, one of over 30 raffle prizes.

Saturday 13 July 2024 - Wythenshawe parkrun #577

Milling around before the start

After a month's break from running, a gentle jog at the back of the field seemed appropriate.

Geared up for 300 finishers

The dinosaur has become a regular sight on the start line

And they're off...

Afterwards, Winston Runners enjoyed a 'love-in'!

Then coffees with Jan and Robin, and Jenny and Owen (thanks, Jenny). It's good to be back, after a great holiday.

The following day I did the Wythenshawe Community Run and finished with the tail walker in over 37 minutes. A Covid test a few days later explained the slow time.

Full results are here.

Friday 12 July 2024 - Around Lower Withington

After dropping Isabella off at home, Sue and I grabbed a bite to eat and then headed to Lower Withington to join Andrew and Bridget on a short evening walk planned by Andrew.

A bit of drizzle didn't deter us, and we were soon enjoying the good paths resulting from funding by way of grants to a local farmer. He is further rewarded by being paid to convert crop fields to wildlife meadows. It's good to see these, albeit they don't match the variety of flora encountered in the alpine meadows from where we have recently returned.

This is the spot where on one occasion a goat ate my map. Today they were sensibly under cover from the drizzle.

Chicory graced the hedgerows.

For once, the cows ignored us. Often at this time of day they offer a frisky approach.

Here's the team, enjoying  the countryside of 'Deepest Cheshire'.

And here's our 5 km route. It's short, flat, and has no stiles - all requirements for Andrew these days, but we aren't complaining.

Then it was back to Andrew's house for chat and drinks. A fine way to spend an evening.

Friday = Isabella Day (69)

The first assignment after getting back from holiday was an 'Isabella Day'. Very pleasurable it was too.

Just a few photos were taken, and sadly none from the Franco Manco brunch we had for most of the family the following day. Here's a selection.

This old farmyard toy was found in a box

As was this puzzle

Puzzle completed, that's all for now.

Wednesday 10 July 2024 - Wimbledon (Europe Days 23 and 24)

It's a half hour tram ride from Croydon to Wimbledon, where Sue had got tickets in the ballot for centre court.

We arrived fairly early and watched two boys called Henry and Petr in a second round match on a court where we were right next to the action (above).

Then we wandered around to 'The Hill', which was crowded and muddy.

We soon moved through the crowds and the immense queues for drinks and strawberries, to our positions in row Z on centre court.

A ladies quarter final saw a couple of eastern European ladies have a one sided contest lasting an hour. Unfortunately a man with a very long back restricted my (albeit distant) view.

The Royal Box was closer to the action.

The next match was supposed to feature Djokovic, but his opponent was injured so he was awarded a walkover.

Instead, we watched a mixed doubles match featuring Heather Watson (a Brit) who played well despite losing. (The man with the long back took a break.)

After that we revisited the lesser courts, now rather crowded, and watched some boys doubles, coincidentally featuring bow legged Petr, who despite being seeded in both the games we saw him play in, managed to lose again.

Then an exhibition match on another court drew our attention. It featured Greg Rusedski and Mark Woodforde and their female partners in a mixed doubles match that had its lighter moments. At one point a ball boy replaced Greg's partner, and another point caused the umpire a little difficulty as two balls were independently in play at the same time. Great fun!

By the end of that game we had been at Wimbledon for over ten hours, so it was time to get the tram back to Croydon.

Thursday was the last day of this holiday. We noted the view from our hotel room (below) before decamping to the car park (£32) and heading home via Sue's parents in Solihull and my mother in Eccleshall. 

And so, the end of a very enjoyable trip. A return to 600 emails to deal with, and even more photos to catalogue. Not to mention the weeds.

Mileage: 237 (Cum: 2150)
Garmin: 4km, 20 metres ascent (Cum: 222.5km, 7533 metres ascent)

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