A Postcard

I'm traveling a lot to Bacup, then Bacup to Preston hospital and back, just now. My daughter Kate's chemoradiotherapy treatment is going as planned. Whilst waiting for her yesterday I sat on the grass for a while, watching two helicopters coming and going, one with a body bag, the other with a rather more urgent client.

Meanwhile the guys in the welfare van were communing, right outside the A&E entrance, with a contented family of mallards!

Apart from the hospital trips, I try to fit in a 5km walk every day with Oscar, Kate's 11 year old King Charles spaniel. He likes to take his time, but is always eager to go out, and his nose has a great time. Yesterday we toured the environs of Bacup. It takes Oscar about an hour and a quarter, and I'm exploring a variety of routes, with a mix of moorland and town. The next few photos are from yesterday.

Today was parkrun day, and grandson Jacob (10) was keen to run a PB. He started with a thick jacket, and it was no surprise to me when, after rushing off ahead and then slowing to a walk for a while (allowing me briefly to catch up) he handed it to me at about the half way point.

Just when I thought I could match his pace, a chap (Danny Pollard?) from Clayton Harriers started chatting and Jacob thought a PB time was still on. They shot off and finished well ahead of me, though I did stop to collect Jacob's water bottle. 23.33 for Jacob smashed his PB. Well done lad, and thanks to Danny, who also got a PB time.

Jacob at the start

Runners walking up to the start from the car park near the finish
(taken from the same place as the previous picture)

Burnley parkrun takes place in Towneley Park, by Towneley Hall, a magnificent venue.

I realise all this is of limited interest, but it's all I can manage at the moment, and certain family members do appreciate the 'postcards'.

Some Walks in Lancashire

I'll report in more detail when I get home, but BC will be pleased to hear that I've now embarked on a crusade of Mark Sutcliffe's 'Cicerone Lancashire' walks.

The first was Number 32 - 'Sunnyhurst Wood and Darwen's Jubilee Tower'. You can see from the picture that another visit will be needed to see the tower at its best!

The second was walk Number 15 - 'Glasson, Cockersand Abbey and Conder Green', conveniently situated near Preston Hospital.  I felt a little guilty to be enjoying the sunshine while my daughter was undergoing chemoradiotherapy, but it was better than waiting in the hospital car park. The picture below shows Plover Scar lighthouse from the remains of Cockersand Abbey, in the Lune estuary.

 

March sunlight by De Quincey Park

Lovely light in the park, as there often is in the morning. 

Saturday 19 March 2022 - Wythenshawe parkrun #465

Overseen, as usual, by Oliver Cromwell - on a deliciously sunny morning and the warmest this year.

As you can see from the next picture, Sue and I were not amongst the leaders.

She slowed down for dodgy Achilles reasons, and wasn't out of breath at the finish.

Then coffee in the Courtyard, and the full results are here.

Friday = Isabella Day (6)

A chance encounter with Martha and friend, by the canalside cafe

Getting ready to slide

"How do I get up from here?!"

"Grandad, you've left your coffee behind..."

"Hey, I learnt to say 'train' today"

"Who needs a spoon to eat yogurt, when they are only 18 months old..."

Not to mention the loudly chirping house sparrows, the ducks and geese that were fed, the failed handstand, the long sleep, the long walk, watering the plants, and the reluctance to say 'goodbye, see you in two weeks' time'...

Saturday 12 March 2022 - a 200th parkrun at Wythenshawe

It was a fine but chilly morning for my 200th parkrun at Wythenshawe, the first one being back on 3 December 2011, when there were just 17 participants, several of whom have subsequently become firm friends.

These days there are nearly that number of first timers each week. Some of those in today's clutch are seen above being briefed by Oliver, assisted by Fred and Alan (who was one of those present in 2011).

Many of my 200 runs at Wythenshawe have been completed in the presence of Michael, pictured below finishing his 374th parkrun, of which 215 have been at Wythenshawe. We are the same age, give a week or two, and he who is 'less injured' usually comes in ahead of the other. I hope your Achilles injury resolves itself, Michael.

As usual, we adjourned to the Courtyard Tearooms. Not many others came in. The staff have not exactly been welcoming over the winter, discouraging custom. But today, Jeanette will be pleased to hear, they were comparatively bursting with politeness, and the toilets were even open from 8:30, meaning there really is no excuse for anyone to need to pee in the bushes! Somebody's complaint has clearly borne fruit.

Here we are, with some of Wythenshawe's stalwart runners, all very good friends. Thanks to Andy W for taking the photo.

Friday = Isabella Day (5)

   "The wheels on the bus go round and round. Round and round, round and round. All day long."

Running up and down a hill, in Walton Park

Freedom at last! Where's Wally Isabella?

Full of beans today, and fresh bread, fish fingers, melon, banana and yogurt

'Walking in Lancashire' - Mark Sutcliffe

I noticed the publication of this book last year, and was reminded of it through a couple of BC's recent postings - here and here. (And probably more by the time this posting is published.)

Anyway, BC's efforts triggered the purchase of the book. It's in the same format as the 'Snowdonia' books that we've so much enjoyed using during our recent visits to Porthmadog. And .gpx files for all the routes were downloaded to my Anquet mapping software in about five minutes, so they are now all on my phone.

This coincides with my demands from Jen regarding her Cheshire walks books having been met, and me visiting Lancashire a lot at present as I am part of my daughter's extensive support team whilst she spends a few months getting rid of a nasty lump on a tonsil by way of chemoradiotherapy. She lives in Bacup and needs 30 visits to Preston hospital over a six week period - we are currently in week 2. This means I've abandoned my regular walks programme for the first time since 1972, but I'm looking forward to doing some of these Lancashire walks at short notice when I get a chance, and Kate may even be fit enough to join me at some point during her recuperation, before she returns to work. For the moment, journeys to Preston, cooking, housework, dog walking and childcare, jobs shared with a number of others - Kate has lots of good friends and neighbours, take priority, but we are able to continue to enjoy the pleasure of looking after granddaughter Isabella on Fridays.

Meanwhile, I've been busy digitising a diary from 2004 that will soon be published here....

A Postcard

                              5 March 2022 - Wythenshawe parkrun number 463

6 March 2022 - De Quincey park, always a pleasure

Monday 7 March 2022 - The Dixie Beats at Eagley Jazz Club

Sue insisted that I report on last night's gig, despite my taking no photos. The picture above was taken on 2 March 2020, shortly before Covid struck, on which gig I reported here.

Anyway, the same line up continues to perform, and judging by last night's effort they are loving it.

This really was an excellent night out with some talented musicians - a bargain at £8 a head for members, and cheap beer to boot.

Efforts are being made to better publicise Jazz in the North West. There's an extensive website here - www.jazznorthwest.co.uk that contains masses of information - over 700 pages of it! Whilst for historical reasons we go to Eagley, in Bolton, Didsbury Jazz Club is closer. We should go to some of their Thursday evening offerings. We could do worse than follow the Dixie Beats in that direction on 24 March...

Sunday 6 March 2022 - Burnley Junior parkrun

Here's one for Dot - Jacob and Seb leading the way in their 2km Sunday morning dash, with Jessica not far behind. Results are here.

A Postcard from Timperley

Crocuses in Newton Park

13 February - Wythenshawe Community Run - rain...25 runners plus children

20 February - Wythenshawe Community Run - cancelled due to fear of smaller competitors drowning!

27 February - Wythenshawe Community Run - sunshine...35 runners plus children

Wonderful

26 February - after Wythenshawe parkrun - two age category first homers - results here

27 February - Sunday Lunch (those missing were asleep)

Antics in Newton Park were needed to work off that huge lunch.

1 March - a visit to Bacup, featuring a walk with Oscar.

This seemed a lovely view on a frosty morning at the time, I think it's across to Scout Moor

"What's going on? You know I don't like to be photographed!"

Near Barista, Kate's favourite coffee shop, in Bacup city centre.