Wigan - old and new, open and closed!

Went for a ride through Wigan the other evening and found some 'old and new' shots. Parts of Wigan are being pulled down and rebuilt. This shows the Wigan old pool and the new multi storey car park adjacent to Debenhams in the new grand arcade. The Wigan pool was opened in 1986 and was considered to be up to olympic standards - it was a 50 metre pool and was 16.5 foot at the deepest end. When it was closed in September 2008 it took 4 days to drain. The new pool will hopefully open in 2010 and although it will be wider it will only be 25 metres in length.

Derelict land to the side of the Wigan pool, I can't really remember this being anything different but then I am not a 'Wiganer'!

Anybody interested in buying an ex police station - take note there is one for auction in Harrogate Street Wigan. Cost approx £700 - 800,000; a 5 storey building and garages but does that includes the cells and the underground passageway to the courthouse next door?

And now a couple of pubs that remain open - the Plough and Harrow in Shevington

and the Forresters in Shevington Moor

but closed is the Hesketh in Shevington Moor

Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic - update

If you have read the entry on 17th March you will know that I have been having treatment at the Wigan Family Chiropractic clinic. For anyone in and around Wigan who is interested this is the building in Bridgeman Terrace.

As is usual for this type of back problem it came on suddenly without any warning, I found I was unable to move for a while and the pain was unbearable.

I started off with 2 treatments each week and after the 4th session I began to feel the benefits, after the 5th I could walk more easily and after the 7th I was back in the pool exercising and doing a little swimming. I still use the ice packs although not always 4 times a day - just when the pain reminds me that I have a problem. In the last few days it has only been first thing in the morning but tonight when I really needed one - shock horror none of them were actually ready in the freezer! In one way that is a good thing as it shows that I am not relying on them but then perhaps I do need more than three ice packs!!!!!

I have now reduced to 1 session per week and I think secretly Cosmic is really missing me! Last week when I went he was waiting for me in the consulting room - he was obviously frightened of missing me, no, it's really nothing to do with the treats I take for him, definitely not!!!

Next week I am hoping to learn how to exercise on the gym ball, see below, it's blown up ready and waiting! I have to say it is causing some confusion in the house, Sheeba and Poppy aren't quite sure which ball is theirs now.

Mmmmmmmm let me think . . .

Yes I have the right one the other must be for you Sheeba!

I must again say a big 'thank you' to all at the clinic, especially Mike and the girls on reception for making me feel welcome and relaxed (well as relaxed as I could be in the first 2 weeks!). The treatment has been first class and I have no doubt that I will be seeing more of you in the future. Oops we mustn't forget Cosmic - thanks for keeping me company in reception but please do try to stay indoors at night you do worry me when you go fighting!

http://www.wiganbackpain.com/index.html

Feathered friends.

A few more from the canal walk.

First one is same pic as previous blog just a slightly different crop.

Mirror mirror on the wall . . . . .

Leeds Liverpool Canal - Gathurst to Wigan and back. 12th April

A lovely day for a walk so we set off from Gathurst, planning to stop at a few pubs on the way, for a leisurely stroll along the canal bank.

It was beautiful - a few clouds up there but the sun was out for most of the time. A perfect day for reflections!

This narrow boat has obviously been made for me, I shall have to have words with its present owners.

We made it to Crooke and stopped for the first drink. Whilst sitting on the grass I noticed these three struggling with their bikes, perhaps it's a message to cyclists!! On the way back we met someone with a wheelchair - they almost needed to commandeer a boat to get them around the gates, these paths are definitely not wheelchair friendly.

Then on we plodded but no more pubs could be found that were still open. So believe it or not we then walked into Wigan to McD's for some refreshment.

The new waterside apartments at Standish Lower Ground.

The inevitable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here it was swans versus the geese.

One guess as to who won!

Next time I will park at Gathurst station again but walk towards Appley Bridge, Parbold and Newbrugh, perhaps there will be a few more pubs remaining open.

Spring lambs, Wrightington.

Went for a walk with Anya to see the new born lambs but unfortunately they were all asleep and their mums looked worn out so we didn't have much luck!

I went back 2 days later to see if they had woken up. The lambs were a bit more mobile but not exactly frolicking! They stuck to their mums like glue, but then perhaps it was because they had seen me approaching!

Pennington Flash, April 11th

We had a lovely surprise visit by Anya over the Easter weekend, (well a surprise for me that is Edward seemed to know all about it!). Naturally she came with camera so after a quick drink and chat it was straight off to Pennington Flash. First stop the Bunting hide -

I know, I know, I have clipped part of the foot off but I love this one so have to include it!

Then back to the lake to watch the swans, geese and of course gulls.

I must be losing my touch (if I ever had one!) I have clipped the tip of the wing off this poor chap but again I like it so here it is!