Look what we found in the garden

Well, Barney found it actually- it must have prickled his nose because he was standing barking at it!

We had to move it so Barney didn't try using it as a new toy!

Wanderings in Cheshire

Vole came to stay this weekend. We made the most of the fine weather (we managed to dodge the rain) and went for a couple of drives into the Cheshire countryside. On Saturday we stopped off at Little Moreton Hall, a 15th century timber-framed moated manor house. It is a mad piece of architecture which now buckles and tilts under the weight of the impressive long gallery- it is so lopsided in places that I am amazed it is still standing! Some photos are below with the rest here.

The long gallery

Victorian dog kennel

Sunday took us to Tatton Park. We didn't have enough time to walk all round the huge gardens or the farm, but we had a leisurely stroll through the Italian Garden and part of the woodland before looking round the mansion. The mansion is spectacular and Vole was left drooling over the library! A couple of photos below, with the rest here- there aren't many as no photography is allowed in the mansion.

On our way out of the park we drove past a herd of deer, a couple of which kindly posed for the camera

All in all, a lovely weekend (and I reign victorious at scrabble!).

End of an era

I have to admit to being somewhat gutted that R.E.M have called it a day. I first started following them when I was in the 6th form at school, around the time of 'Out of Time' and then 'Automatic for the People'- since then I have bought all their previous albums and waited with anticipation for each of their new albums to be released. I have been to see them live a couple of times and they have not disappointed- Michael Stipe is a fantastic performer and I have always found him an intriguing personality. What am I to do now? It was suggested to me the other day that perhaps I should start following Take That- it never happened first time round and I am certainly not going to start now, I'd rather stick needles.....









There are way too many to post!

Never smile at a crocodile

Well, it's been a while. How's your summer been? Mine's been busy. Now the summer holidays are over I have another week at work before a well-earned week off.

Just thought I would post a few photos taken at Chester Zoo from our trip a few weeks ago. The quality of the pictures isn't as good as I would have hoped, but fiddling with camera settings isn't the easiest thing to do when you are trying to keep track of a large group of children and teenagers!

Menacing

I could have spent ages in the butterfly house, some of the butterflies were spectacular, but unfortunately one of my ward was terrified so I had to make a speedy exit!

Waterfall in the butterfly house

Inside the bat cave, my favourite part of the zoo. I quite like the effect of this photo....if you look really closely you can actually see some bats!

I also organised a visit last week for our young people from the Animal Man. I didn't get up that morning expecting to have a boa constrictor round my neck, a tarantula in my hand and a coatimundi on my back! We had a fab morning. Only a couple of photos as all the rest have children and young people on so I can't post them.

The leopard gecko

...and the bearded dragon.