Coventry out and about

I just have to thank you for that photo PeterB, Thank you.

Hi all JUST BEING CYNICAL *************************** How we perceive an issue can vary so much, depending on our mood, whether we have just been reading the Financial Times or Private Eye. Well I never! Some folk take their best togs out of their wardrobe, stuff it into bags & then cart it around so as to see a new view, a different blade of grass or whatever. They call it a holiday. You know, the queues at airports kind of thing. By the way, thank you Peter, for posting the article about the train missing or overshooting Bedworth railway station. I bet that wasn't on the latest Thompson holiday gazette news, hey! I shouldn't be so cynical, as my Pam enjoys a few days away now & again, probably to get away from me. It has been a few years since I have stayed away from home on holiday, simply because I so enjoy seeing what is on our doorstep. I have enjoyed a few trips further afield, but they are more often than not, offers from senior railcards. They have included trips all over England & Wales, but I am usually back home the same day. The pictures below, I asked friends to tell me where they are from. One said the Lake District, another said The Broads. Well, actually they are from this map. Just a twenty minute bus ride from Dorridge railway station. We change the clocks back tonight, so the days for long walks out in the sticks maybe a bit limited as we head into winter, but I have the sweetest memories of visiting Earlswood Lakes just a few weeks ago. Yes, I do have the advantage of being able to use my free to use bus-pass, on the trains too inside the West Midlands area, but anyone can buy a train, bus & tram day-tripper ticket that costs less than £7, or better still the family version, two adults plus up to two children. I have a list longer than my arm of places to visit during winter. No togs stuffed into bags, a variety of ways to come home, when I want to come home. It doesn't get much better.

Thanks Philip, it's like another world dreaming across the water there.

An nice walk out in the snow yesterday. The animals were being unusually co-operative posing for photos.

Lady Herbert's Garden has a new resident who isn't too concerned about the litter. Mr Swan is looking for an upgrade from the canal side nest. Meanwhile Mrs Swan has done what comes naturally. Peter.

Castle Yard yesterday

A great one Pix. I thought you were here in Perth for a moment!!

What a lovely topic this is, a real treasure thank you all.

Hi all, hi Kaga I love it too, Kaga. Had my first "post-op" out & about, today. Not far, just to Dorridge for a Latte without milk. Well without dairy milk. It was coconut milk flavoured with almond & vanilla. I wasn't keen on the Costa coconut milk in coffee, but this in Dorridge was brill. Whilst at International I spotted this old unit passing by.

Afternoon all I so enjoyed my out & about yesterday (Friday), that I have ordered more for this coming week provided matron lets me out. I was a good boy this morning, church cleaning until lunchtime, then a bite at the Chinese servery in West Orchards. That was very nice. A funeral at the Crematorium keeps me occupied Tuesday midday & then before I know it, the Belgrade bacons (beckons) on Wednesday. That's half the week gone already. I do enjoy visiting Dorridge. The character of the station buildings is so 1950s, better in fact as everything is working. A nice array of different style trains, as well as a few freights adds to the scene as they pass by. Do any of you have comfort zone areas where you reminisce over past happy times? A friend likes going into the Central Library, pretending it's the Locarno. With a Centro bus pass, Dorridge is easy to get to by train, certainly preferred over bus travel, with the air-con working in this very warm weather. So, whatever you are up to, please enjoy. Another mostly dry & warm week ahead, just a slight risk of some light rain on Monday.

I can't remember how many years since I saw one of these in our garden.

Still with the rungs to prop a ladder against