Furry flea-ridden tree rat Destructive unpleasant Visits daily along wood fence tops Obese dull-witted  Un toilet-trained Flies in and perches Bird-cage for little feeders only Finches, tits, robins Regular decking over-spill  The squirrel and the pigeon Debris hooverers They are all heart   ..read more

Another childbride request to mark my birthday this time, in addition to the family party on Sunday. So overall a good do. The choir once played a Sunday game at the cricket club. It's got a winter feel to it just now. Nice to be out and we were pleased to be able to do the physical side of it. Rained. Bit sore in the afternoon. These views are familiar, recalling the times I took Fern, our retriever, for walks. Pickled Pheasant for lunch. Sleep afterwards.    ..read more

                     Tiny yellow-green leaves just arrived                      Bare birch April branches                      Regular as clockwork ..read more

After the TV episode about Arneside in the series Villages by the Sea, the childbride requested a weekend visit to mark her birthday. We came here every Spring Bank Holiday when the kids were young as part of a group caravan weekend at Holgates in Silverdale. So a trip down memory lane. Sykes Cottage, opposite the station and five minutes from the village promenade and hence the River Kent. Along with the viaduct that connects to Grange, these features define Arnside. Low fells in the distance, shops and bars behind. At first the cottage was inaccessible. A phone call to the owner informe ..read more

  solid still grey mossy stones stand trembly breezy spawny rainwater sane window mad world ..read more

  lighter Spring evenings robins perch on bare branches time for a fresh start ..read more

This is a tribute to our relationship - 1947 to 2023 - 76 years. Apologies if the reader doesn’t recall events quite like I have portrayed them, particularly the dates. Memory isn’t what it was and anyway I have selected the good bits, mostly.         I’ve divided it into three: growing up, growing apart and growing old. The rough and tumble of family life, leaving home and developing our lives, and finally becoming pals and confidants. Growing up. I have covered these early years in detail elsewhere (family stories). My memory is dominated by arguments between D ..read more

Breezy free swirly circling leaves                                                             Become sodden earth bound clumps                                                      Not a turn for the worse  ..read more

The author with his grandson Initial article here - https://www.shallilo-foreveryoung.org/2021/06/successful-ageing.html And plenty other sites, including examples like Helen Mirren and Clint Eastwood. This can be overdone and we all now know the benefits of exercise, meditation, new experiences and keeping in touch with friends and family. It's now obvious we have equal amounts of despair and happiness, and we must tailor expectations to what we can do and don't worry if we don't make it. We know all this now, but easy to forget. This week it's the turn of Suzy Walker and ..read more

Bitterly cold moments Honley Ladies at Huddersfield Market - I had to keep moving Two squirrels short of food Warmer moments Scarborough: St Mary's, Freddie's spa tribute, New Year's walk Filey Bay distillery (price of flagship up £5 so I didn't)   ..read more