Canal Walk, Congleton

Pics from August 2008

Plenty of narrowboat traffic on the Macclesfield Canal...

Chester Raft Race 2008

Vital equipment for watching Chester's annual Raft Race...
One roll of industrial blue tissue, one bag of flour.

The rafts were fantastic, as always - cobbled together from pallet wood, drums and kegs. This year's theme was James Bond. There's usually around 30-40 rafts which make their way from The Meadows to the weir and back again. Most returned safely (one way or another) for the apres-raft party.

Some pics from the day...


If one handful of sand doesn't get them...

...throw the whole bag.
In keeping with Tradition, a motley bunch of civilians hurled various missiles from the footbridge - flour bombs, ripe tomatoes and bread being in vogue this year. A few super soakers surfaced as well, admittedly one being in our camp.

Marauders attack The Samaritans.

Sniper!

View towards the weir.
Tourists.
Flour vapour trails.
Fully loaded!

Sorted !

Quote of the day, from a Round Table attendant: "You can throw flour bombs & soft stuff - anything really as long as it's not, like, a water melon."

CLICK LINK FOR MORE PICS : http://www.flickr.com/photos/merryhel/

Summer Rain

A rainbow appears over the street after a sudden sunlit deluge.


Earlier this week...
We've had some good weather recently with temps in the 30's - lovely for RHS @ Tatton on Sunday. This beautiful cloud swelled up over Kerridge that evening.

Merefolk on Tour! ... Edinburgh

Earlier this year we flew to Edinburgh for a very short weekend trip.

Our little FlyBe plane (erk)

Cannons at the castle Mons Meg One o'clock gun

Greyfriars Bobby - http://www.greyfriarsbobby.co.uk/
View of Edinburgh Castle from the churchyard
View from Edinburgh Castle
Home of Scotland's royal treasure

View of Edinburgh (market in centre)

Thistle stall

Webcams around Edinburgh : http://www.scotsman.com/webcams.aspx

April Showers

Snow, rain, sleet, hail & intermittent sunny blue skies - superb light in the evenings. Unfortunately we just got to the Mere a little late today to capture the full intensity of the purple cloud of a hailstorm above the orange setting sun.

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal

A cotton mill during the 18th century, Quarry Bank Mill is now owned by the National Trust.

'The Secret Garden' is a project to restore the back garden of the mill owner's house - the basics such as pathwork and design are there, but it still requires a lot of work, planting & growth! and is not currently at its projected best.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-quarrybankmillandstyalestate/

Flower Shop, Congleton town centre

The Flower Gallery, Congleton town centre

Spring flowers appearing, Focus is stocking hanging basket liners and bedding plants are on sale.

The weather forecast for the Easter weekend is: cold, wet and wintry with the chance of sleet and snow on high ground.