Monday 17 June 2024 - A Visit to RHS Bridgewater Gardens

A quick visit to the gardens today. No significant commentary is needed. Click on any image for a slideshow of about 30 snaps. There's lots of colour in the gardens just now.

No mow June?

Rhubarb

And now it's over to mobile blogging for a few weeks...

Saturday 15 June 2024 - Fletcher Moss parkrun#210

Hurry, hurry, we don't want to miss the start!

Mike and Isabella just ran the first few hundred metres to the point where the course reaches the River Mersey.

Isabella wanted to go further...

But she was a happy girl again by the time we gathered at the finish.

Our times were affected by a very slow first kilometre, but never mind, it was good fun, and we adjourned to the park in Didsbury for excellent coffees.

As always, a great way to start the weekend. Full results are here.

I did the Wythenshawe Community Run the following day, but took no photos. I was quicker than usual, in 29:15, position 29 out of 53. A nice outing with Fechin and Colin in close attendance.

Wednesday = Isabella Day (68)

Friday was rearranged to Wednesday, when Sue was booked in to a spa for the day. So it fell to Grandad to look after Isabella for the day, and we had a lovely time, starting with a visit to the Little World for Scholars in Altrincham.

"First we need to go and put the fire out"

"Ok, the fire's out, and we need to go shopping. I'll use the Mercedes"

"I'll just phone mummy to see what we need"

"Good, that's chocolate, milk, and lots of eggs"

Back at home, Isabella knuckled down and made some chocolate chip biscuits.

"Every last grain needs to be got out of this bowl"

Beans and chicken for lunch.

And biscuits!

That went well...

After lunch, a bit of train play, some Thomas the Tank stories, and a snooze on the way home.

Another lovely day with a well behaved Rainbow Girl.

Saturday 8 June 2024 - Wythenshawe parkrun #572

Parking at the running track offers a pleasant walk past some wooden sculpted seating to the parkrun start outside the hall.

First timers' briefing included 'inducting' a dinosaur.

Then we wandered off to the start, where over eager barking dogs tried to drown out the run director, and we were off.

This week Jeanette joined Sam at the near bridge, in order to guide everyone the right way.

Last week I couldn't keep up with Maggie, who is in the same age group as me, but today I'd managed to finish before she came sprinting to the finish.

Full results are here.

Robin joined us afterwards, for coffee in the courtyard and a little celebration as his cancer has recently been declared as being in remission.

 

L-R: Jeanette, Sue, Robin, Paul, Laura and Andy

Friday = Isabella Day (67)

After our long break - we last looked after Isabella on 3 May - we were delighted to see her for the day on 7 June. The old Duplo house (Lego 2770), bought nearly 40 years ago for Isabella's dad and his sister, is still intact (perhaps of some value) and a favourite toy that spans the generations.

It's always fun to make a den.

The ghost of Timperley turned out to be a Rainbow Girl in disguise.

The Rainbow Girl soon adjourned to the slippery slide at nearby Walton Park. And the swings and roundabout.

Back at home, the ducks needed a bath. The look says it all... "don't interfere, Grandad, this is serious business".

Ok, you can watch the ducks' bath time...

We called in to Wythenshawe Park on the way back to Didsbury. The cycle and scooter tracks are a great facility for children of all ages. Isabella is expert at stopping for pedestrians.

Another lovely day with Isabella...