In and around the garden.

Spring is definitely here - we now have snowdrops, daffodils and vinca all in flower. They seem to have survived the frost better than me!!

Waiting patiently!

Feeding time on the mere.

The flamingoes had been fed and it was bath time.

The Whooper swans were flying in for their 3 pm feed.

You would think it would be easy to get a photo of them landing but not so - the light was not good for starters, they come in so quickly and it was so cold and windy my hands seemed to freeze up. In the end I couldn't feel the camera let alone the button I was supposed to press!!!

Sorry but this is the best of a bad bunch -

Not just the swans impatient for feeding time!

At last the most important man on the block -

and the most important person in the hide -

Landing can be a bit tricky when it gets crowded.

M6 and Wigan North Western station.

Anya came up to see the swans at Martin Mere, well that was her story, I think she wanted more m'way photos!

Sadly the weather wasn't very kind as you can see but we enjoyed it anyway. These were taken on the morning she returned to London.

Train approaching P4 -

and train leaving P4 -

Frosty morning!

Couldn't see the critter belonging to this web amd I don't think there will be any flies around it today, if he's any sense he is down the hole with moley!!

This was the vinca minor and it stayed like this until lunchtime. I felt cold just looking at it!

My favourite bridge!!

I remember this bridge from my days on the district and it has turned up trumps for a stroll with a camera!

Tried all ways to get rid of the pesky pylon in the background but gave up in the end.

I am now told by the experts that pylons are good!! They can give good lines to a photo and in this one they contrast with the trees, phew have managed something reasonable at last!!

I like the boats and their reflections, shame about the cars on the side.

Out for Sunday lunch; pets and sunsets

Today was lovely, Sarah invited us to dinner so I have had a complete rest from cooking! We had roast beef, yorkshire puds with all the tirimmings followed by a sponge cake with oodles of fresh cream. Scrumptious, I could get used to this!!!!

Needlesss to say Sheeba came along as well to see what treats she could beg, and as she well knows begging is easy peasy with Sarah!!

Jess prefers her seat by the warm radiator, just one step away from the window sill - her best vantage point for bird watching.

Please give a girl a bit of privacy!

You still there??

As we were leaving Sarah noticed the sunset so the 2 of us set off in the car to find a good spot.
We literaly just picked up bags and scarpered. Unfortunately only a few of mine are any good so here they are. According to the weather forecast it should be nice all week so maybe there will be another chance.

St Wilfrids Church Standish

Taken from Parbold Hill. By then it was really dark and going misty.

Captain Pug (wash).

Sorry haven't been out today so will have to make do with these - Captian (aka Ugly pugly)!!

If you've got it flaunt it!!!!!!

On the road again, well sort of !!

Last night when everyone else was in bed and fast asleep I was again pacing the floor boards. I decided that a bit of fresh air may help so sneaked out into the garden and then couldn't resist taking about 30 photos of the moon. Sadly most have been resigned to the wheelie bin but here is the 1 I have saved!

This morning as the sun was shining I again went off to search the garden for anything interesting. I actually took about 80 here but again no good ones. Sadly this is about the only one to survive and even here the shadow falls in the wrong place!!

This afternoon Lewis and I took ourselves off to Martin Mere to watch the swans feeding time. Although we really enjoyed the walk in the fresh air my photos seem to be just like the all the others - fit only for the wheelie bin. Ah well here are a few of the best, lets put it down to my 'condition' and hope the next outing will be much improved!

Believe me this is a golden eye taking a bath - just about sums up my day!

Squabbling teenagers?!

Wigan and Heinz 57

I took these photos from a side road in Upholland, the residents there certainly have marvellous views. This is of course the Heinz factory at Kitt green with the M6 in the foreground.

The '57' sign which can be seen for miles on the m'way.

The new Latics ground in the centre.

M6 looking north towards Standish - in daylight . . .

and the same stretch of the M6 at night

Couldn't resist slipping this one in!