Friday, January 26/18

I'm not blogging every day as my days are quite routine.  Walk the dogs in the morning, work remotely for a few hours and then go to town to pick up anything I might need.  Quite relaxing.

This is a sun dial in Linden field where I run the dogs.

As you can see my Wellies are coming in very handy.  The mud is quite slippery...I think it's got a lot of clay in it.  Most of the path is quite good however every now and then I go off the beaten path.

 The Raven Hotel....I have yet to try this pub but before I leave I'll have to treat myself to a pint.

Great fresh fruit and vegetable market not far from where I am staying....some fantastic fresh fish as well.  It's great to shop locally.

Holy Trinity Church.  Magnificent building.

Inside the church there is this memorial to William Penny Brookes who was such an important man in this town.  He was the doctor for years but he also is known for having started the first Olympics.

Some peculiar names on buildings...'Bastard Hall'.

What was the Police Station built in 1864...still bares the name however is now a private home.

The Guildhall.  Originally built in 1540 this was a free standing Court House over the stone medieval prison.  Today the Town Council still meet here once a month.

The Museum - built in 1878 as an open Market Hall then converted to a Memorial Hall after the First World War and later a cinema.  It is  now the Tourist Information office as well as the museum

 The Priory Ruins.  Today all I could see was what appeared over the wall.  It is closed until the weekend so I hope to go back and take a tour.  The Monastery was founded in the 7th century.

 

The field I run the dogs in is called the Linden Field.  While walking to the Windmill I saw this..."Each brain has a hunger to be fed.  This is our common duty.  Plant a seed and watch it grow"

Today Chris has offered to pick me up to go do some shopping in Telford.  It's nice to get out and do something different.  On the way back we go to Ironbridge which I am delighted to see.  This is something I really can't do without a car.  Ironbridge has significant history.  Unfortunately the bridge is covered as they are doing some restoration work on it.  The area is charming. 

 

Here I am in Ironbridge.  Since the bridge is covered and undergoing restoration the best I could do was take a picture of the picture!

Charming town.

Walking across the bridge towards town.

A memorial by the bridge.  Chris and I stop for tea and cake at a local shop and then head back home.

Monday, January 22/18

The snow is gone....thank heaven.  I have decided to walk the dogs one at a time as the two together are too much for me as they pull on their leads.  I first take Millie out and with a little work she starts to understand what I mean when I say 'no pull'.  She's doing quite well and eventually we get to the off leash park.  Off she goes.

 

 Up on the hill where the windmill is located.  Great place for her to romp around.

 

This is the ruins of the windmill.  The sun is out and it feels so good up here.  Lovely views.

While walking about I get talking to a woman who is walking her dog.  Her name is Chris.  One thing leads to another and we get talking about the mud and I ask her if there is a place in town I could buy a used pair of "Wellies".  Before I know it we're discussing sizes and she offers to lend me her gardening boots if they fit.  Invites me over for tea and to try the boots on.  "It's the cream colored cottage at the foot of the windmill" Chris says.

I take Millie home and exchange her for Rosie.  Rosie is a little more stubborn with regards to my command for "no pull" but she does start getting it.  Off she goes once we arrive at the park and after a good run we make our way to Chris's cottage.  She has a small dog who is so excited to have Rosie to play with and Chris serves up hot tea and Xmas cake.  So friendly and hospitable.  Chris lives alone as her husband passed last year.  Her cottage is so cozy.  I finally head back home, boots in hand, and drop Rosie off.  Today I plan on picking up a few groceries and go to a few of the stores.  This is such a lovely town.
 

My "new" wellies!  My own boots weren't holding up to well to the mud in the park.

The main square

First stop is the bakery....get a lovely loaf of fresh bread and a shortbread pastry.  Then off to the butcher.  The shop is called A. Ryan and Son, Family Butcher.  They are known all over the country.  The staff are so friendly.  I usually start off by saying I'm new to the area and have never been in their shop.  Gets the conversation going and some help selecting some product.  They have so many delicious pies and quiche available.  I'll come every couple of days and pick a couple of things up.  The fellow helping me told me of one product (pork pie) that he says is best when it just comes out of the oven so if I arrive around 9 a.m. they should still be warm.  I've got that on my calendar.

Pheasants hanging in the meat shop.

 

What a selection of pies, quiches and all sorts of other goodies!

I go to another shop for a lovely chunk of cheese and finish my shopping by stopping at one of the pubs for soup and a pint.  The fire is burning and it's so cozy and welcoming.
 

 This is The Talbot Pub.

 

So cozy.

 

The history of the Talbot Inn.  Very interesting.  Was already an Inn in 1361 and James II stayed here in 1687.

 

Just as I'm finishing my soup I notice a bit of commotion at the table closest to the fire and realize that one of the people at the table is calling for an ambulance.  Turns out his father (who is at the table) has lost consciousness and is unresponsive.  They lay him on the floor of the pub while waiting for the ambulance.  He's conscious now but suffers from Alzheimer's.  His son and wife are with him.  The paramedics arrive and he seems to be stable.  When I leave the ambulance is almost there as I hear the sirens.  I think he will be fine as he's talking and saying he doesn't want to go in the ambulance.  Ah, for the Grace of God go I or any of us!  A little excitement in the little town.  I head off home to keep the dogs company, unpack my groceries and put my tired feet up.

 Carvers Croft...my neighborhood.

 This is my house for now.

 

After all that running around today a little snoozing is a good idea!

Off to the next sit....

It's time to move on to Much Wenlock where my next pet sit awaits.  Judy and Robin aren't getting back until Sunday morning and I have to leave Altrincham Saturday morning so a friend of theirs, Jonnie, is coming to look after the dogs.  I give Jonnie the low down on the dogs and we take them for their walk.  We have a lovely evening and then Jonnie gives me a lift to the train station which is about 10 minutes away.

Look at these beauties!  Great Danes but I've never seen them this size before.  I talked to the owner (lady standing behind them) and she said they are so gentle.  You can really see the mastiff in them.

I am catching the 10:59 train and will have three changes along the way.  Getting to Telford station around 1:30 that afternoon.  I love travelling by train but sometimes it's hard to find room for my large bag.  They only have a small area for larger bags and sometimes it's full.  Waiting for my train.

At the next station it is snowing....I thought the weather man said it's warmer down this way!

I've met Bill and Kate, my next hosts and their two golden retrievers Rosie and Millie.

The first morning that I am on my own I wake to snow.  I take the dogs to the off leash park which is beautiful.  They have a grand time racing around.  I'm looking forward to a little drier weather??  Also exploring this beautiful town.  It's a step back in time and everyone is so friendly.

Life in Altrincham

Things are pretty quiet here.  The weather is typical winter so not really conducive to strolling around.  Of course saying that, Sam and Willow still need their walks so out we go.

 It's raining and getting colder so out come the coats.

 This is one of my walks...down to Dunham Golf Course...lovely walk, just have to watch for flying golf balls and of course squirrels!  Sam and Willow love to take after squirrels (and any other small animal) so a tight grip on the leads is in order.

Thankfully Judi was nice enough to lend me her jacket...perfect in this kind of weather.

Back at home....cozy and snug on the sofa.

 Even though we have had rain and clouds it changes very quickly.  Actually had hail this morning.

 Walks along the back lane with fields on either side...quite beautiful as the sun peaks through.

 Then I decide to take the bus to Altrincham and then tram to Manchester.  Takes about 40 minutes in total.

 I get off the tram at Market Place....as the name says it all...this is the main shopping area.  Signage is good.

 Got talking to some ladies that were doing a survey on the street and it turns out one of them does international petsitting and does it through Trusted Housesitters!  She's been at it for about 3 years.

 Some lovely old building.

I believe this is either the opera house or theatre.  Nice looking building.

 As I couldn't leave the dogs for long I head back to Altrincham.  Here I am at the station and the blue sky is widening.

This is the tram that I took.  Now I'll get on the small bus and it drops me right at the back gate.  Easy to get around.  It will be time to take the dogs out again and then that's it for the day.