What a difference a day makes....
From brilliant blue skies to grey, featureless ones, from a day off to a day at work, from Helsby to West Kirby!
I took these photos when dashing out for milk this afternoon. One is of the extierior of the Concourse, where my library is located. Believe it or not, this building was designed to "blend in with its surroundings" back in the 1970s. I am at a loss to know who thought grey breezeblock walls would blend in with ANYTHING! Recently a huge swath of black tarmac was laid across the courtyard. Apparently some of the paving tiles were loose..the answer was to dig 'em up and replace them with a horrible stretch of the blackstuff. It looks diabolical and we've had no end of people asking "Why on earth did they....?"


There are some more attractive buildings in this small seaside town.

This next photo is of the beauty salon where I get my toes done, which is part of the train station complex. The last snap is of the Barclays Bank building. West Kirby was not looking its best - I must take some more photos on a sunnier day!


My Thursday night pal the Wildcat is away teaching leaving me bereft and forced to spend the evening with P. Actually, it was ok...we watched ER with K. Now I'm off for an early night!

Just a happy day....

I have really enjoyed today! First thing I met up with J and M, two of my Helsby friends for a Race for Life training walk. I took this photo of the tree branches against the blue sky after we'd walked up the first big hill! As you can see the weather was perfect!


A bit further on we passed one of the local pubs. It's quite a nice place to have lunch both in summer and winter - T and I have had a few lunches here. You feel you've earned your drink if you walk here - whichever way you approach it it's up steep hills!


This last pic is the view up Towers Lane. We walked down it today but we often walk UP instead! It's a longish pull and at first J and I couldn't walk it and talk at the same time (M actually RUNS up it, the fit minx that she is!!) but now we can walk up it chattering away and barely notice the incline. We saw coal tits, long-tailed tits, a green finch and heard a woodpecker. Lots of coltsfoot is out in the hedgerows.

After lunch I went off to RDA. I actually remembered to wear my purple riding gloves today which was lucky as i was helping to lead Theo. The lady who usually takes Theo had hurt her wrist when he knocked her over last week making a dash for a patch pf grass at the end of a ride! So she wanted me to help her. Theo has his "little ways" - he kicks out with a sort of "pawing the ground" motion and also a tendency to nibble people, as well as his habit of trying to snatch any bit of greenery he passses. On the whole he was very good today. All three rides turned up and all of Theo's riders enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air. For such a contrary beast, he is a total lamb in the stable, very docile and gentle. Go figure!

Sorry for rambling on but once again I'm on a bit of a post-horse "high"!