Autumn is fading to winter along the canal, as the trees drop their last leaves and the robin that lives beside the 'Walton Perk' cafe barge becomes more eager for titbits.
Mushrooms could be crossed off the shopping list when I spotted two white blobs in the undergrowth just beyond the robin's perch. These 'blobs' turned out to be a couple of delicious field mushrooms that later enhanced our dinner.
That was Thursday, on a walk to the shops in Sale. Friday brought a lovely sunny day on which I cycled a 'lolipop' circuit along the towpath to Throstles Nest Bridge, then beside the Ship Canal to Eccles, via the BBC's buildings at Salford Quays.
After crossing back over the Ship Canal at the Barton swing bridge, the towpath led me back home via 'Waters Meet', passing on the way a pleasantly lit barge outside the Trafford Centre.
On Saturday morning Cary encouraged us to visit the Bramhall parkrun. This was an early venue on the parkrun circuit, and Cary wanted to take part in its 666th event. Some parkrunners 'collect' stuff in the same way as some walkers 'bag' mountain summits. Cary does both. The weather was fine for the 537 participants who turned up - far more than usual; I wonder why? We chatted to a bloke who had driven all the way from Falkirk just to do this #666 parkrun!
The route is an entertaining two lap affair, around the impressive Bramhall Hall.
Sue and I posed beside the ubiquitous sign. The chap from Falkirk is in yellow.
The start was somewhat congested and the run was slow going. Good fun though.
Here's Cary, looking happy at the finish as he queues to have his barcode token scanned. Full results are
here.
SWOG's Campbell joined in for a photo opportunity, then we went home via coffee with some Wythenshawe parkrunners at the Courtyard Cafe, and Sue went of to a Bridgewater Gardens event followed by a meal with friends in a noisy pub.
Sunday morning, and where are we now?
That plaque is on Lindow Common, near Black Lake, which is home to a wide range of bird life.
Near the car park is a wood carving above a plaque - 'In Loving Memory - Alan McNulty - 1940 - 2014'.
We were there for the Wilmslow Festive 10km race, where Sue had been inducted as a 'Barber', who were doing this race as a family, but Jeanette is injured so Sue took her place.
I set up shop with my Indian bell part way down the first kilometre. The leaders raced past.
Then I walked back across the Common and reached the finish just as the winner arrived.
I took no further pictures, distracted by the Indian bell, that I rang constantly for about half an hour, encouraging the runners from a point just 500 metres before the finish.
There were 3242 finishers and I think all the Barbers (except maybe Paul who may have gone quicker in his youth) achieved PBs:
Laura - 37:13
Greg - 38:47
Paul - 42:51 (second in his VM65-69 age group by just a few seconds - well done!)
Frankie - 56:59
and Sue - 49:48 - beating her PB of 52:34 set on 23 May 2004.
[My PB was also set on 23 May 2004 - 45:00, on the Bupa Greater Manchester run. In those days parkrun didn't exist and we just did a bit of untimed jogging.]
We adjourned to the Barber residence for bacon butties, coffee and cake with various other friends. Many thanks for that. What a splendid morning.
