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Tuesday 4 August 2020

T Stands for taking the good with the bad!

Hi everyone, we are in virtual lockdown here in Greater Manchester - lots more restrictions in place that would not have to be, if folk had taken care to stay apart and wear masks. I also suspect that, without the constant reminders that were happening almost daily when COVID first hit, hand washing isn't being taken as seriously now! 

We had a lovely morning out last Friday.
I had rung the charity shop to see if they were taking goods and was told that if we got here for 10am we might be lucky! We arrived just before 10 with one person in front of us in the queue but were soon joined by several behind us.
The system for leaving our bags was very well organised with wooden bays having been built to take one days worth of bags - once full that was it for the day. There were four in all so that they could start to go through the bags from 72 hours previously.

After this we decided to visit a park we used to go to regularly before we moved to our apartment (although we are closer to it now!)

 We headed towards the visitor centre as we knew we could get to the sunken garden.





As we got to some steps a woman stood to one side but I had heard sounds of people up above and told her that we might go and investigate the cafe - she was full of praise of the way it was run and said the coffee was good too!

I am pausing here to join Bleubeard and Elizabeth for Tea Stands For Tuesday.

 This is the garden in front of the cafe, it is in a little cottage, except that it wasn't open...
 .....but in front of was a sectioned off queuing area...
 ...and two covered areas - one to take orders for drinks and to serve cake and ice-cream and where there was a contactless card machine and another to make the drinks for collection.
 I almost forgot to take photos. As you can see we had started to drink our coffee. I took this photo when hubby went to the bin with the carton from our shared (and yummy) ice-cream.
In between each park bench were huge tubs - some with plants in - and there were lots of empty benches to choose from.
We decide there and then that this was going to be a place to visit regularly!

We continued our walk..


  We saw lots of empty benches - that I guess would fill up during the day


 The pond area was overgrown as a lot of the volunteer gardeners were not back yet.





 The untidy looking tree we saw at the beginning looks like a bird from this direction!
The person on the bench was sketching, she told me that a sketching group used to meet locally before COVID.



 Any ideas what this is anyone?


 There is lots of open space here too

 Simons Bridge is where we used to walk to sometimes along the river bank from home - we used to walk back on the other side. We think when we don't have to worry about walking close to folk on narrow paths we may come here more often along the river.
 The river floods badly sometimes and this is a map to show how the golf courses are dedicated flood relief areas - it has happened twice this year.
 I will come back and take a photo of this when the sun doesn't shine on it
 We walked past the tennis courts

 We sat for a while here in the shade - Friday was a very hot day
 We spotted another path to follow another time.
 This gardener was making a lot of noise with a trimmer but the pigeon didn't even seem to notice!






We walked back to our car where this notice was by the gate.

Our lovely morning came to an end when we came back to read a letter advising us not to go out unless it was necessary and that the gardens here were closed for meeting anyone so I had to cancel an afternoon chat with my friend! 

Of course life isn't all bad - I had a lovely package from Elizabeth last week

Thank you so much, you may have seen where I have already used some of the bright napkin!

This morning we had arranged a 'Click and Collect' from the supermarket so off we went.
What a lovely surprise to get back and find a fabulous package from Kate.
This is her ATC, packaged so beautifully!
Kate sent me such a lovely package of goodies and there is her ATC on top of it all.
I will give the Honey Chai with Turmeric a try! 
Thank you so much Kate this was definitely good moment!

We have had a few more outings but as we have no more for a while I have some to keep me posting here for a while!
We also were able to meet up with some family members but that's another tale too!

Oh! and before I go I'll stop Elizabeth pondering about the postage stamp on her envelope - it is a Pink Floyd album - 'Wish you were Here'!

Thanks for looking, Chris

16 comments:

Helen said...

It's such a shame that various local lockdowns are having to happen again, as you say a few (or a lot) of people thinking they know better and ignoring the rules spoil it for all! Hope it won't be too long before you can meet your friend again!

Valerie-Jael said...

You had a wonderful time surrounded by green trees and plants, and then coffee and ice to crown it all - yes! And you got some wonderful happy mail - enjoy! Hve a great week, hugs, Valerie

Eileen Bergen said...

Thank you for taking us on that lovely walk, Chris. The gardens are beautiful, even if they're not as well maintained as in pre-COVID days.

We haven't had a break from lockdown which started March 18. It's very trying emotionally sometimes.

Lovely package from Kate. Her layered art is beautiful.

Happy T-day and have a lovely week! Hugs, Eileen

Sharon Madson said...

What great packages you had to show today for our t party! Again, can I say how much I enjoy my virtual walks with you on T Day? Lovely. And yes that untidy tree did look like a bird! Happy T Day!

CJ Kennedy said...

I really enjoy the walks and outings you post. Himself has difficulty walking so these kind of outings are beyond him. You have the loveliest area and scenery. The trees in the Rockery are so fascinating. Some of the really tall ones covered with ivy or kudzo look like exotic dinosaurs. Lovely mail art you got, too. Take care and Happy T Day

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Oh MY Goodness, Chris. How did you know I LOVE Pink Floyd? Could it be from my profile (grin)? Regardless, I LOVE IT. I may keep it forever with my rocking horse postage stamps.

I really enjoyed the walk you took us on this week. I kept going back and forth looking at more and more photos. I was most impressed and loved seeing all the gardens, even if they weren't as tidy as one might hope. The garden around the cafe was well kept, at least.

You got a lovely and similar package to mine. Lucky you, dear. Kate's ATC is beautiful and layered beautifully, too.

I enjoyed seeing T happily drinking his coffee and smiling at the camera. Thanks for sharing your incredible photos and coffee with us for T this Tuesday.

I was saddened to read there was now another lockdown where you are. I wish it would happen across the entire spectrum of the states because we'll never get rid of it here until we do.

Viv said...

More lovely pics Chris.
With you on the new restrictions.
I hate wearing the face mask so much - feel like I am suffocating - but understand that it has to be done. I rarely go anywhere that requires wearing it - I have stopped food shopping as it just stresses me out feeling like I can't breathe. But to today I had to go to the Post Office sited inside a local Spar shop.
There was a queue for the PO counter - one middle aged woman at the counter - NO MASK. Young woman next - mask, elderly man - mask, 30 something man - NO MASK, me - in my hated mask, man behind me NO MASK.
To compound things the security van for collecting the money arrived. The Security man employed by the Post Office - NO MASK - yet he and all these people had to walk through a small supermarket to get to the PO counter at the back of the shop.
Its ridiculous when we are now have more restrictions imposed on us but it's easy to see why we have so many people with Covid. There's no cure for stupid.
I shall shut up now and go back and look again at the lovely pics!

Karen said...

SO many beautiful pictures ~ I'm glad you enjoyed your outing and your coffee ~ Happy T day!

Mae Travels said...

What a delightful park and tea room, with such well-thought-out distancing measures in place. I enjoyed your photos very much. Next time don't forget to snap a pic of the ice cream!

be well... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Linda Kunsman said...

another beautiful park and grounds to enjoy and explore!! Nice you could stop for a drink and treat too. I fear the way things are going we are also going to be in a stricter lockdown:( People!(I agree with what Viv said)
Glad you were able to drop off at the thrift shop. I'd be cleaning out more if I knew I could take things somewhere in my area.
Gorgeous gifts and packets from Elizabeth and Kate!!
Happy T day!

Let's Art Journal said...

Sorry to hear you've been affected by lockdowns in your area, we have some restrictions in towns across Lancashire too - such a shame when it could be avoided. I loved walking with you today, the gardens and scenery look so beautiful 😁. Your hubby looks happy too, makes me smile ...lol 😀. Wishing you a Happy T Day! Take care! Hugs, Jo x

Halle said...

Sorry to hear about the lockdown...I enjoyed your photos very much though,
Take care!
Happy T day!

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful pictures from your visit to the park, Chris. I love that you were still able to get some treats on the grounds. What an amazing selection of plants on the grounds. I think I spotted a few I recognize.
I am glad that you enjoyed the package.
Happy Tea Day,
Kate

My name is Erika. said...

I'm afraid we will be going back into lockdown too for the same reasons. All these tourists who visit and then go out without a mask. Sorry to hear you've had a surge in your area and your walks will have to be put on hold. But I did enjoy your photos once again. I think once this Covid is gone I need to visit your area and do lots of garden park walks too. Hope it was a nice T day. Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I just read your comment that you would like to use my photo of the ATC you sent. Feel free to use ANY photo you want, dear Chris. And thanks again for all these lovely gifts.

Words and Pictures said...

Magnificent gardens - my word, what glorious trees, and what glorious weather you had. Definitely worth making the most of before re-lockdown. Lots of lovely happy mail too.

Completely agree on the whole business of continuing to take proper precautions so that one doesn't end up locked down again... basic common sense (he keeps banging on about it, but he and his government don't seem to have it!).
Alison x