After the Bank Holiday Monday rain eventually stopped, and after shooting a few pics of "residue rain drops" around the garden, we ventured out to Redmires Dam, a quiet spot just 20 minutes or so from Nortoner Towers. Got some more "big sky" shots (there's a surprise!) and took a few pics of alpacas at a small farm at Ringinglow.
Still trying to get a "great" shot of the bullfinch!
An old friend made a rare appearance - Great Spotted Woodpecker
Big Redmires Sky!
Alpaca at Ringinglow
Sheffield City Centre in the background!
Tuesday - took a trip to Fairburn Ings, near Knottingley for a wander around the RSPB Reserve. Didn't see as much (in terms of birdlife) as at some other reserves but it was a pleasant enough day.
We walked about 3.1/2 miles altogether. Not a dramatic distance by some standards but for a lady with an artifical hip and an old giffer who is so out of shape it ain't funny, it wasn't a bad effort! Stopped off at Meadowhall on the way back for something to eat and got home in time for Britain's Got Talent (the show which proves, on an annual basis - that we have very little talent in fact!)
Wednesday - something different - a train ride to Barnsley (the free National Travel Pass comes in very handy!) and a look around the town centre and the fabulous market they have there.
On the way to the station - Sheffield's tallest building. The 32-storey City Lofts
Turn thru 180 degrees and you see this - which I think I prefer!
Ventured back to Sheffield on the 2:01 p.m. train (which was packed generally with younger folk who almost all got off at Meadowhall. Maybe something good on at the cinema!) and had a short wander around Sheffield (I bought a new Canoscan 9000 film scanner cos my present one has died) then back home for a cuppa. Out to Bakewell about 5 pm-ish for Fish and Chips before getting back home to see BGT.
Fisherman and his catch at Bakewell - he put the fish back to live to fight another day!
Thursday - highlight of the week. The Duchess' birthday and at about 9:15 a.m., our son phoned to wish her Happy Birthday. As she was talking to him, there was a knock on the back door. She went to answer it and was gobsmacked to see him and his wife standing there! They had driven over from Holland on Wednesday and stayed overnight at a hotel. I knew they were going to make a surprise visit and managed to keep the secret very well I thought!
In the afternoon we went to Hathersage and Edale
Edale Parish Church
We didn't venture all the way up there! But it looks beautiful!
Came back via Mam Tor where we watched some hang gliders (crazy people!) and then Calver bridge
The river at Calver - needs some water - as low as I've ever seen it
For the Duchess' birthday dinner, we met up with the family and an old friend at TGI Friday. A cracking day all round apart from the fact that on the way back from dinner, I developed a sore throat which over Friday and Saturday, matured into a full blown head cold with laryngitis thrown in as well! But you know me - not one to complain.......
Friday - Our son had a business meeting in the morning and they wanted to go to The Trafford Centre in the afternoon so we went our separate ways. The Duchess and I drove down to Rutland Water, near Stamford,
An absolutely fabulous day - weather wise
and after a good wander around, we drove back home "across country" rather than back up the A1, stopping off at George's Fish and Chip Restaurant in Belper for tea!
Saturday - after the supermarket run in the morning, I got stuck into the hedges and what passes for a lawn at the back of the house. Caught most of the second half of England v Switzerland and have to say - if those are our best eleven players, we are in deep do-do's!
Sunday - just waved our son and daughter-in-law off as they start the long drive back to Rotterdam. Missed the start of the Archers Omnibus so will have to listen later today via iPlayer. I also have to tackle the front garden... if it doesn't rain.
And I've decided as I was typing this that, since we crammed so much into my week off, I'll put together a "Spring Bank Holiday Album" and post a link later today (hopefully) but for now:
Tarra
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