Swans

On a walk this week along the canal I passed 2 swans who were clearly far more interested in potential prey in the water rather than the threat from a human, I was little more than 1 metre from them.

Still waters

To go with the post from the end of Jan of Macclesfield in the snow, here are a couple from this week where it feels as if Spring has nearly arrived.

Over the town

First thing in the morning is good for quiet walks, sometimes you get a sunrise but Monday was cloudy though with lockdown it was good to be out and enjoying the cold quietness.

View of St Paul's - it was the day the church remembers St Paul that day!

In a window

On alleged Bue Monday here's something to encourage, spotted this in a currently closed cafe on a walk

unfortunately, it has now gone, probably Christmas decorations, the words changed periodically. You may also spot me!

Across the car park

An early morning shopping trip produced these lovely winter colours in the snow and the unromantic surroundings of a supermarket car park.

New Year

Another new year and as an intent let's try to breathe more new life here with some catching up and positive views. An early morning walk today along the local canal, quiet, frosty with the local birdlife giving a reminder that some things still go on. A bit too cloudy for good dawn pictures but then a boat with some heating appeared after rounding a corner under a bridge.

By the canal

I've been walking most days during lockdown and the following restrictions, there's old railways lines - now footpaths - and a canal very close to home. Today a heron was gently swimming on the canal watching passers by closely but not being alarmed!

And one from a few weeks ago:

Dawn on the way to the station

I'm still doing some early mornings, usually catching the 7:30 train into work and sometimes the dawn is worth a picture!

I seem to have missed out on pictures during the cold spell!

Saying farewell

(catching up!)

Some time ago now we said farewell to Dave Mock the vicar of All Saints and St Barnabas, he's since been inducted as vicar of Christ Church Barnton. This picture is when Chris - one of the church wardens - spoke about the reference she gave him! We now look back to nearly 10 years of his ministry and care of us and look forward to whatever God is leading us to.

A midsummer evening

We were returning from an evening at the Park Tavern watching Moretti's Caro Diario and saw the sunset over the grounds of Christ Church

an end to a restful evening!

Spring

In the current warm spell, many things are blossoming.

Open Gardens

St Michael's Macclesfield is running an Open Garden event on 5/6 July this year in aid of the `Raising the Roof' fund. As part of that our (well Beth's) garden will be open - you can find the full list of gardens (as a pdf) here. Tickets are available on the day or you can get one from me. The photo is of our garden at the moment, no doubt things will be different in July! Hoping for good weather....

View Open Gardens in a full screen map

All Saints' - new website

A notification for the locals that the All Saints' website has moved and can now be found here

Crocus

Crocus, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

It feels like spring is on the way - a view of our garden after lunch today. Another photo here

2013 in summary

For friends who don't follow my feed on twitter or other social media.. our Christmas newsletter is on the home webserver as a pdf - I guess most of it has appeared on this weblog at some time or another but here it is in summary.

roofs of Macc

roofs of Macc, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

We've just had the roof repaired and before the roofer left I had a quick trip up the scaffolding to have a look and to take a few photos (there's 2 more on flickr, next to this one if you click on it!). I last went up a few years back when next door (and our chimney) was rebuilt. At least then the ascent was behind the house and if you fell you could aim for the flower beds, this was straight off the pavement and a little more intimidating. Repairs are looking good though!

2012 news

Much of this has appeared here in some guise or other but the annual Christmas newsletter of our doings is here.

New kitchen

kitchen - looking back, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

As some readers may know, we went for sudden death last month and had both the kitchen and bathroom updated at once. The dust has now (mostly!) cleared and here's the kitchen (I'll spare you a bathroom picture!). It - the kitchen - still needs painting, tiling and flooring but it's a lot better environment to prepare food in and the sink now looks out onto the garden (view of that in the next flickr pic to this).

Lilies - i

Lilies - i, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

Even though it wasn't a sunny day, the lilies were out in the garden and I wandered out at lunchtime to see them.

The herb garden

The herb garden, a photo by rajmarshall on Flickr.

We had a bit of snow last night in Macclesfield..today pavements are difficult and the footbridge over Hibel Rd is far too exciting even for me!