Park Lane Unitarian Chapel, Ashton in Makerfield

I was invited to this beautiful Chapel for a coffee morning so of course along came the camera. Everyone was very friendly and I was allowed to wander around taking photos before going in for coffee and toast.

The Chapel was built in 1697, I must have driven past it numerous times but sadly never noticed it, it is partly hidden by the Park Hotel. It was interesting talking to some of the people there as they remembered attending the school - the rooms are still in use for the children's group each Sunday.

Looking around inside took me back to my childhood when I used to go to the Methodist Chapel near where I lived in Chester. It was small but very homely. In one seat was a glasses case with a note in it to say that theses specs belonged to a certain parishioner and could they please be left in place. Now where else would you be able to do this - sadly not in many churches!

I tried to take a photo of the organ but there wasn't enough room for me to stand back from it so instead this next one is especially for the organist -

The stained glass windows were beautiful with the Autumn sun shining through them.

The school rooms still in use, they were bright and colourful probably completely different from the days when they were actually used as a school.

www.parklanechapel.org.uk

Thank you to everyone for making Sue and I so welcome.

The building site.

We thought of entering for the Ideal Home Exhibition but we've had to do a few alterations before we can do that.

It's all hands on deck, here it was Sheeba's turn for a five minute rest.

We have found that the back wall was built with old hand made bricks and that the fire place was built at a much later date with the new larger bricks. The two aren't tied in together so in effect the chimney breast is free standing, in parts you can fit your fingers between the two walls. Ah well it's stayed upright for at least 30 years that we know of so hopefully it will last us!!

Next to be ripped out was the old faithful gas fire which has been home to a few thousand ants over the past years. (No bodies were found and no ants harmed as the fire was removed.)

Now there was a lovely view of the bird bath and I did try to argue that we should keep the hole so that I could take photos as and when!

I didn't even have time to change to the larger lens before a face and trowel appeared and the hole had soon gone!!

Despite all the dust and rubble inside the garden still has some colour -

and the bees are still around

Martin Mere's Asian short-clawed otters

Meet Thai and Ned the Asian short-clawed otters at Martin Mere. Thai, on the left, is 8 years old this month and came from Cornwall and Ned, her toy boy, is 3 years old and came from the Blue Planet Aquarium.

They first met in early July and immediately formed a strong bond. They were seen to be mating quite early in the relationship so there were high hopes for the patter of tiny feet . . . . .

Early on Saturday morning 2 kits were noticed in one of the nesting boxes - success!!

Thai taking a look at herself.

Ned admiring his admirers!!

Ooooooh that's the spot.

Animal Magic w/e at Martin Mere

It was a very busy w/e at Martin Mere, animal magic went ahead despite the recent outbreak of food poisoning relating to farm animals. We had hand wipes, anti-bacterial hand wash and hand hygiene notices everywhere! On reception and meet and greet we also reminded people at every opportunity about washing hands before touching food, I am sure everyone must have been fed up with us before the end of the day!!

We had all the usuals including snakes, hissing cockroaches, spiders, chinchillas, meerkats, a raccoon, huskies, owls and ferrets. The ferrets were walked so much by the children that they had to close for a while to give them a rest! There were giant stick insects but unfortunately one fell off its perch and broke a leg!!!!!!!!

For me this Newfoundland dog stole the show, she is only 9months old but already larger than her neighbours the pig and the pony put together. She was allowed inside the reserve but was kept in a small pen, she was so placid, she just lay down and slept for most of the day.

The meerkat is apparently a house pet hence the harness - mmm now that gives me an idea!

The huskies were very noisy and excitable and for obvious reasons were kept outside the reserve.

The birds of prey were very popular but I chose my time carefully and was allowed in to take my photos - thank you.

This is Boo, he was rescued when he was found to have a damaged wing which was left untreated. He is now unable to fly as he is left with a permanently bent wing. He looked happy enough to me but was a bit camera shy, for ages he would only pose for profile shots.

At last - 'take it quick before I change my mind!!'

This was a case of - 'leave me alone it's been a hard day'

Look at me I'll pose for you!

Notre Dame, Pompidous and street artists

Now I have sorted out the computer I can return to the Paris photos - sorry folks but I have just a few more!

On almost every corner you can find a street artist. Most seem to work really hard and don't mind being photographed as long as you don't try to take pix of their actual work. A few however seem to have a camera phobia and turn their back to you!

Notre Dame stands proudly on the Ile de la Cite. The building took over 180 years to complete (1163 - 1345).

The main entrance comprises three carved portals with biblical scenes representing the life of St Anne, the story of the Last Judgement and the Virgin. The row of statues above is known as the Kings' Gallery

The softly lit chapels were being used by the locals for private prayer and although photos were permitted a flash was not.

Centre Georges Pompidou

It has an "inside out" appearance, the utility pipes are all coloured differently and the escalator tube is red.

Street performers mingle with painters and roller skaters in the Place George Pompidous.

Wizzy the Martin Mere beaver

This is Wizzy the baby beaver at Martin Mere, he is now on view to the public for a few hours each day. He is 14months old and has been hand reared since he was found in a sorry state having been rejected by the rest of his family. He had been attacked by one or more of the other beavers and was found with bite marks all over his body. He was really ill for some time and made numerous visits to the vets whilst being treated for his wounds and the abscesses that developed. Sadly he can not return to his family but will hopefully be found a partner.

He is now allowed out into a playpen for a few hours each day as he continues to improve. It was interesting to see him as I have not been able to see any of the other beavers, even though they have been tempted out with fresh food each day they remain elusive. We can only watch as they rearrange their site by felling trees and building dams all done presumably under cover of darkness!