Manor Park

Had a lovely day in Manchester with Pops yesterday - after a bit of business we went on the Big Wheel then had a nice meal in a restaurant. Afterwards she had ice cream in the park then we played cards on the train home. I wonder how many five year olds really make good company for a whole day?

Last night was a bit mad - around midnight two guys tried to smash their way into a flat up the street with a spade. They got through the outer door and made quite an impression on the inner door before they left. Two police vans and two police cars turned up and got the family inside away to a place of safety. Lovely. Unfortunately this kind of thing keeps happening to the same house, all thanks to their lovely slum landlord who keeps filling it with the same kinds of people (who can be relied upon not to make a fuss about the conditions!)

Today we went to Manor Park in Glossop for a bit of a play. A nice afternoon out.

Good Friday - Upper Derwent Valley

The day didn't start too well with news that my brother Peter is in hospital with pneumonia and the huge fire in Glossop's Wren's Nest Mill. Even though it started at 0700, wagons were still arriving at 1300 with blue lights flashing. We passed it just before 10 and the top floor was ablaze and the High Street full of smoke. By the time we returned at 1300 the roof was gone and central Glossop was sealed off.

Anyway, we had a much better day over the Snake's Pass in the Upper Derwent Valley. It was sunny and windy, gorgeous for walking, and the valley is just beautiful. We walked passed Ladybower Dam, made famous by the Dambusters film and saw the 617 Sqn memorial. They lost 204 aircrew in 2 years, which is over 100%!

We then walked up to Howden Dam, got tired and took the bus back to the car. A lovely day out.