2015 A Diary of events and The story of our garden this year.
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January February March April May June July August September October November December
Thursday 31st December - Health Walk
Still water everywhere
Tuesday 29th December - Health Walk
Monday 28th December - In the morning Michael did a reconnoiter walk in the south of Cuerden Valley Park preparing for New Year's Day
Trudie's meditation view, the Lostock and the two sets of stepping stones
In the afternoon walked round Anglezarke with Damian who had been too lazy to walk in the morning
Sunday 27th December - Michael walked over the Moss in the morning - Damian not up for it
Gregory's Swarbrick Get-Together at Jean & Jack's in the afternoon
Saturday 26th December - Boxing Day at Alison & Paul's with Dorothy & Ann and Kathryn & Richard
The rain was teeming down and as we drove up Croston Road we had to drive through two floods, we had to keep to the centre of the road. As we crossed the railway bridge and dropped down to the river level we had to drive through another flood. As we got on to the M65 the motorway was covered in water, only a couple of mms, the rain was coming down faster than it could drain off the road, but I was begin to think we should have stayed at home! We got there unscathed.
Michael went for a walk round the houses with Alison, Kathryn and Richard, Alison pushing baby Maude in her buggy.
It was a much 'safer' journey home later in the evening when we drove home via Wigan to pick Damian up.
Meanwhile in the Park:
Friday 25th December - Christmas Day at Trudie, Lloyd & Jaja's
Thursday 24th December - Health Walk
Tuesday 22nd December - Health Walk
Sunday 20th December - Richard & Julie brought our presents up
Preparing for lunch
Thursday 17th December - Health Walk
Rather wet
Breathe Easy Luncheon at Farington Lodge
Back Home
Tuesday 15th December - Health Walk
Sunday 13th December - 10 mile Bike Ride, first since 8th November. We have had some wicked weather, rain and high winds
Thursday 10th December - Health Walk
and Breathe Easy Pamper Day
Wednesday 9th December - Caught the 111 bus to Preston from Barn Hey, now run by Stagecoach. Fishwicks have gone bust and Lancashire County Council will no longer fund the 115, our bus
Tuesday 8th December - Health Walk
Monday 7th November - British Gas came to fit smart metres. They did the electric but wouldn't do the gas. National Grid came within the hour and confirmed our gas appliances were hunky dory - said the man should have fitted the gas metre.
Thursday 3rd December - Health Walk
Tuesday 1st December - Health Walk
Thursday - 26th November - Health Walk
and Breathe Easy where we had a talk by Galloways Sociaety for the Blind
Tuesday 24th November - Health Walk
Monday 23rd November - Took some Leyland manuals to the Museum -trying to clear the attic!
Thursday 19th November - Health Walk
Tuesday 17th November - Health Walk
Sunday 16th November - Walked in the Park with Damian
Saturday 15th November - Gerald and Rowena's 25th anniversary at St Mary's club - Suzie too ill to attend
Friday 14th November - Damian came to stay to be able to go to Gregory and Rowena's 25th wedding anniversary party tomorrow.
Thursday 12th November - Health Walk
Tuesday 10th November - Health Walk
Sunday 8th November - Bike ride
Thursday 5th November - Health Walk
Tuesday 3rd November - Health Walk
Sunday 1st November - 10 mile bike ride, misty morning
Thursday 29th October - Health Walk
Tuesday 27th October - Health Walk did a variation on a walk utilising the walk down Sheephill that we had tried out on Sunday
Sunday 25th October - Michael did 10 mile bike ride in the morning. In the afternoon we met Carmel and Linda E at the CVP Farmers' Market and walked them part way home.
Friday 23rd October - Found Gawthoerpe Hall closed and went on to Townley Hall - also closed
Thursday 22nd October - Health Walk in the morning and Breathe Easy AGM in the afternoon
Tuesday 20th October - Health Walk
Sunday 18th October - Michael 10 mile bike ride
Friday 16th October - Went to Brian's funeral in Salford and then on to Lyme Hall
Thursday 15th October - Health Walk
Wednesday 14th October - Visited Little Moreton Hall in Cheshire - Michael's report - and afterwards Biddolph Grange Gardens
Tuesday 13th October - Health Walk
Sunday 11th October - Michael 10 mile bike ride
Thursday 8th October - Health Walk and Breathe Easy Exercise Class
Tuesday 6th October - Health Walk, Damian came with us
Monday 5th October - Visited Rufford Old Hall with Damian
Thursday 1st October - Health Walk
Tuesday 29th September - Health Walk
Monday 28th September - We worked hard pruning in the front garden
Sunday 27th September - We had a short walk in Cuerden Valley Park after the Farmers Market
Thursday 24th September - Health Walk
Wednesday 23rd September - We had a day out at Speke Hall
Tuesday 22nd September - Health Walk
Sunday 20th September - Michael managed twelve miles on the bike
Thursday 17th September - Health Walk
Wednesday 16th September - We went up to Broughton-in-Furness to meet up with Charlotte, Howard, Judith and Rachel
Tuesday 15th September - Health Walk
Saturday 12th September - We manned the Breathe Easy stall at the Leyland Mela having set it up on Friday afternoon
Thursday 10th September - Health Walk
Wednesday 9th September - We had lunch in St. Anne's and walked along the prommenade and had tea and cake on the pier
In the first photo I think you can see Anglesey where Peter and Barbara had just gone in their caravan - the sun appears to be shining on them while our promised sun never broke through.
Tuesday 8th September - Health Walk
Sunday 6th September - Michael did his first bike ride for three months - 10 miles. Surprised to see the Lower Kem Mill covered in green stuff
Saturday 5th September - Pruned the Magnolia tree together
Thursday 3rd September - Health Walk
Wednesday 2nd September - We both worked hard in the garden filling up two wheelie bins with prunings
Tuesday 1st September - Health Walk
Thursday 27th August - Health Walk
and Breathe Easy where Natasha Mellor of Age UK came to talk to us
Friday 21st August to Wednesday 26th August - a few days in North Wales
Thursday 20th August - Health Walk
Tuesday 18th August - Health Walk - we were both very tired afterwards
Thursday 13th August - Health Walk
Followed by Breathe Easy exercise class
Tuesday 11th August - Health Walk
Friday 7th & Saturday 8th August
Did some gardening - pruning the Rhododendrons, Camellias and Lilac. Suzie and Betty haveing a cuppa on Saturday.
Thursday 6th August - Health Walk
Tuesday 4th August- Health Walk, this time Suzie came out
Thursday 30th July - Health Walk. Suzie and Damian were worn out from the walk yesterday so Michael went on his own.
In the afternoon Damian and Suzie had recovered so we spent a couple of hours at Brockholes. More information
Wednesday 29th July - Picked Damian up and after lunch we all went to Formby Point and walked along the shore and back through the woods.
Tuesday 28th July - Health Walk - no Suzie again
Tuesday 21st July - Health Walk - no Suzie today, she had to go for a routine medicine check.
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Monday 20th July - More weeding
Saturday & Sunday 18th & 19th July - More weeding, this time the bed alongside the drive.
Thursday 16th July - Health Walk then lunch at Avant Garden Centre.
Wednesday 15th July - More weeding - Cycle Forum at tea time
Tuesday 14th July - Health Walk
Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10th, 11th & 12th - Weeding front rose garden
Thursday 9th July - Health Walk - Suzie stayed home to see to boiler
Tuesday 7th July - Health Walk . . . Sue wanted to do a short walk . . .
Thursday 2nd July - Health Walk. Daphne's birthday, usually we would be with her in Cornwall for her birthday
Wednesday 1st July - A very hot and humid day. Managed to get Steen's hedge trimmer working, rebuilt and greased. Watched tennis on TV - Wimbledon
Tuesday 30th June - Health Walk
Sunday 28th June - We both worked in the garden cutting the grass and the shrubs on the roadside
Thursday 25th June - Health Walk
Then on to Breath Easy for a talk on the Rotary Club
Wedneday 24th June - Suzie's 79th Birthday. Trudie arranged for us to go out to lunch at the Pines.
Compare the photo below with the one above and you will see that the Pines isn't what it used to be. It was the first meal I've had there that I didn't enjoy.
Tuesday 23rd June - Health Walk
Followed by lunch at Sainsbury's
Friday 19th June - we both had hospital appointments at The royal Preston
Wednesday 17th June - Drove home via Bedford where we went to visit Pam, Sue's workmate
The photographer is Pam's Daughter Amanda
Tuesday 16th June - We called on Caroline in Hemel Hempstead and took her out to lunch
Monday 15th June - Still in Maids Moreton. We took Richard out to lunch at Prezza's
Sunday 14th June - Julie and Richard entertained their young Bulls to lunch for us.
Saturday 13th June - Spread Auntie Babns' ashes on Blown Downs in rain and wind with Daphne's family.
Before the event we all met at the Old Hunters Lodge, Whipsnade for lunch.
Later we called on Sue's School Friend Babs
Friday 12th June - Motored down to Dunstable to see Auntie Kath to find she was in hospital. We visited her but she was hardly conscious. We went bqack up to Mais Moreton t ostay with Richard and Julie.
Thursday 11th June - Health Walk
Wednesday 10th June - 12 miles on the bike today
I'd done about 8 miles and gave up on Snake Hill. Stopped for a rest on the Gregsons' seat.
Tuesday 9th June - Heath Walk
Sunday 7th June - Michael managed another 10 miles on the bike
Thursday 4th June - Health Walk
Tuesday 2nd June - Health Walk, Annual Volunteer's Walk in Volunteeers' Week
Monday 1st June - Had lunch at the Midge Hall with Trudie to celebrate Michael's 77th Birthday
Thursday 28th May - Health Walk
Wednesday 27th May - We took Carmel to Tatton Park
Tuesday 26th May - We both went on the Health Walk again
Monday 25th May - We both spent the day in the back garden.
Sunday 24th May - not a very good day - wet early on and dull for the rest of the day. Michael went on his first proper bike ride since 3rd Jauary, 10 miles
Saturday 23rd May - A little gardening
Thursday 21st May - Another Health Walk
Tuesday 19th May - Health Walk
Saturday 16th May - Walk in the south end of the Park with Damain
Thursday 14th May - Health Walk
Wednesday 13th May - Went to Preston for Suzie's new support hose and then did some shopping for clothes.
Tuesday 12th May - Health Walk
Sunday 10th May - Michael did a brisk walk over the Parkrun course - 57 minutes
Thursday 7th May - Health Walk
Wednesday 6th May - We drove home from Cornwall - again a good drive with no hold-ups. Michael drove both ways, 350 miles each way, only stopping once on the way back - a 250 mile stint.
Tuesday 5th May - Daphne's Funeral, we've lost a dear friend. It was a lovely service and the Reverend Steven used a lot of my notes in his eulogy. He said I'd inspired him. Judith, Philip, Nancy Alice, Gracie, Martha - known as Nic, Howard, Rachel & Charlotte were there and they asked us to ride in the cars - very touched to be received as part of the family. We really loved Daphne and will miss her, she was part of our lives.
A last look round. We drove into Falmouth, round Marine Drive. I took these photos from Pendennis Point and the Drive.
Monday 4th May - We set off for Cornwall for Daphne's funeral. We had a really good drive down, no hold-ups despite it being Bank Holiday Monday.
Thursday 30th April - a nicer day for our walk in the Park
David, one of the regular volunteers, had started to clear the car parking place that had become overgrown with Rhododendrons and Ivy in the morning. In the afternoon I went back to the Park and finished off the clearing, David had done the first half. It was hard work - I had to work for five minutes then rest for five minutes, I hope things start to improve soon
Tuesday 28th April - a biting cold wind and rain threatening. The rain didn't fall and we had some sunny spells for today's walk.
Friday 24th April - cut all the dead wood out of the Rowen tree, most of the tree unfortunately
Thursday 23rd April - Another lovely morning for the Health Walk
Wednesday 22nd April - Finished cutting down the remaining fir tree between us and 419
Tuesday 21st April - A glorious morning for the Health Walk
Saturday 18th April - We had a Breathe Easy stall at the Preston Mela
Friday 17th April - to the hospital for Michael's review. Oncologist said not to worry things would get better.
Thursday 16th April - Health Walking yet again
Wednesday 15th April - We went to the Royal Preston Hospital to get Suzie's legs measured for some new support stockings. In the afternoon we started to cut down the remaining fir tree alongside the drive
Tuesday 14th April - Health Walk - Suzie is doing quite well now
Thursday 9th April - Health Walk, this time starting along Shady Lane
Wednesday 8th April - into the Park again this time with Trudie, Lloyd and Jaja
Tuesday 7th April - Health Walk
Sunday 5th April - We walked in Cuerden Valley Park with the Smiths
Jordan skipping over the stepping stones and looking at the frogs in the Covert Pond
Jordan beating the tree with a stick calling up the Bigfoots
Saturday 4th April - Caroline, Robert, Louis and Jordan came to visit us fortunately staying in the Best Western Leyland Hotel. When they booked in Louis and Jordan enjoyed a swim in the hotel pool.
Thursday 2nd April - Again we both walked, it was a much pleasanter morning
Tuesday 31st March - Despite the wild and wet weather we both went on the Health Walk
Friday 27th March - We took Suzie to Preston Royal Hospital for an ultrasound scan of her leg.
Thursday 26th March - we both went on the Health Walk
Tuesday 24th March - Health Walk, both of us
Monday 23rd March - Steven took Sue to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital for her latest check-up. Things have improved a little - next review two months hence.
Sunday 22nd March - to the Farmers' Market to see Carmel and buy some vegetables. Also saw Bernadette, Peter, Barbara, David H and wife plus others who aren't walkers.
Afterwards we walked a little way into the south side of the Park. Here we are, shadows of our former selves
Thursday 19th March - A lovely crisp morning for our walk in the sunshine
Tuesday 17th March - both walking again
Monday 16th March - pruned the apple tree, we were pleasantly surprised by Bernie and Lesley calling as they were returning from Falkirk where they had been to see their newly born Great Grandson
Sunday 15th March - we cut the grass for the first time this year
Friday 13th March - We went to Chorley Hospital to see about Suzie's leg
Thursday 12th March - both walking again
Wednesday 11th March - car service and first MOT plus bumper repair. 19929 miles
Tuesday 10th March - both walking again
Sunday 8th March - Damian came to visit and we went for a walk across the moss. We heard the Skylarks but couldn't pick them out. We heard heard Lapwings too and we watched some of them. Some of damian's photos
Tuesday 3rd March - today was my last radiotherapy session!
Tuesday 24th February - Michael's first Health Walk for a while, radiotherapy sessions all around noon.
Monday 23rd February - Sue went to MREH for a check-up. May need another laser treatment. Next check-up on 23rd March.
Sunday 22nd Feruary - We went to the Farmers' Market - it was a wet and windy day, didn't buy anything
Tuesday 10th February - Michael walked again - the radiotherapy machine had broken down so no treatmet today, moved to Saturday
Thursday 5th February - Michael went on the Health Walk before his radiotherapy and Suzie had a crown fitted
Tuesday 3rd February - We both went on the Health Walk - Suzie doing a medium walk again
Monday 2nd Febraury - Steven took Suzie to Manchest Royal Eye Hospital - bad news she has to have another operation, the sixth. Michael was at the Royal Preston being zapped
Tuesday 27th January - We both went on the health walk Suzie again walking up through the woods.
Sunday 25th January - We graced the Farmers' Market with our presence, I don't think we went once last year.
Thursday 22nd January - Breathe Easy meeting about clocks
Report now in chronological order
Thursday 1st January - Michael led the Health Walk. Afterwards we all, plus some non-walkers, had lunch at the Beaumont, Clayton-Green
Friday 2nd January - went to Fred's funeral, Fred was Carmel's husband. Carmel is also known as Margaret.
Saturday 3rd January - Another ten mile bike ride in the rain
Tried to video this but couldn't get the camera on the right mode, gloves?
Tuesday 13th January - Michael went on the Health Walk
Sunday 18th January - We both went on the Winter Birdwatch in Cuerden Valley Park
Tuesday 20th January - We both went on the Health Walk, Sue doing the complete route
