I'm enjoying looking back in detail on my 2024. What has surprised me so far and worried me a bit is the amount of walking we did last winter and how little we are doing now. When we had Leia I was out in the valley every day.... I do miss Leia.
Seems there was a DIY push on at my youngest sons house over in Chinley. Not surprising as he was aiming to move in over Easter and we'd took on an extensive ( back to brick ) refurb over the previous 12 months.
February started with a reunion of RB MacMillan staff. That was the first job I had. I turned 16 in August 1978 and on September 4th I started my work life - in fact I then worked uninterrupted ( always in work) for 10,090 days ! I've never regretted retiring at 55 best decision and best bit of life planning ever !!
Anyhow it was nice but surreal to meet people I'd not seen for 30 plus years, but as in work they were all friendly. In fact it was doubly surreal as in that week I meet all three of my bosses from the three jobs I had in my career. Ian Liddle, Kelvin Wellard and Ian Willgoose. All good men and I got on well with all three. Here is a picture of me with Ian Liddle and my workmate Eddie Russell. Eddie and I got into some scrapes and had some fun working together, great memories.
As written above we were active in the valley - this bench is on the way up and down from Sheepfold car park. Its a nice walk to the lakes and on to the Black Lion pub that sits on the railway/canal/river. This was Sunday 4th February
I make no apologies for the amount of bike pictures - they are my sanity in an ever more confusing world This was on the Monday the 5th February on Butterton Moor.
We were to moor looking back at the mill On Percy in October of this year. Passing the mill twice on our way to Buxworth basin.
It must have been a decent run to get shopping - out into the Staffordshire moorlands then up through the Macclesfield forest to Bollington, then back to Leek for shopping
The other bike the Honda NC 750 was getting some attention, wheels off and new tyres on early February.
I'd obviously been watching the weather - you tend to where we live. So I was getting the back up genny run up as we were expecting snow and possible power cuts.
We got the snow on the 8th February, so it was light the fire and read and eat !!
The best type of snow comes and goes and on the 9th we were out walking again - would be a sun set as we are not early risers. !
On the 10th February we were in Buxton house sitting our sons flat and their cat Dotty. We like Buxton lots of history.
I was taking my mum out for coffee and cake on the 12th - this time Little Eaton garden centre, she looks so well in this picture.
I have a tolerant wife - I was running a blood bike shift on the 14th February, our 39th wedding anniversary.
It was a PM shift and I was looking forward to a slow ride back to base in Stoke from Birmingham
Middle of the month bike cleaning - need to keep the salt off them if you can, for a well used 365 days a year bike it scrubs up well
Our walking on the 18th. This is Kingsley church yard or part of it. It forms a 2 mile short 'circular village walk we do. When we moved to our cottage in 2017 there were just three occupants of this section of the grave yard. A good way to remind you and me this is the end game and it comes sooner than you think.
19th of the month I was over at my eldest sons house. Seems whoever installed his kitchen didn't connect the sink overflow. Only discovered when our daughter in law inadvertently tested the overflow with an over running tap that delivered a wet cupboard below. I'd brought stuff fron Screwfix to resolve. Thats why I like to DIY when ever I can
20th I was over having food at the CMC cafe in Clay Cross and bike dreaming ! I think this is a Woodsman Royal Enfield Bullet 500
Mid week back at youngest sons on the central heating install - time was against us but we were cracking on and good to be able to see the finishing line
We try and keep our brains active and and not watch TV every night. Not sure who won this one
Spring was around the corner and the moss? was doing its bit to brighten my day despite the frosts.
25th and back at Callum's in Chinley to fit the gubbins under his sink set in a lovely granite island, and yes overflows fitted and tested. Proper job
27th up around the Roaches on my Himmy. No doubt a Sainsburys in Leek shopping trip, any excuse to clear my head by riding my bikes.
28th out on my other bike - looks like the Buxton to Congleton road - a beauty for bikes
Looks like I was using the bike to visit my mum on the 29th - stopping off in Matlock Bath... the mecca for bikers but not in February it seems unless you are a hardy biker !
This is the back of Matlock overlooking Darley Dale - a future place to live for us ?
I was not shirking - building the vaulted ceiling in the workshop - same day !
With my mum and one of my sisters Pam at the Windmill with our mum x
There was a visit to our eldest son Tom for his birthday on the 28th but surprisingly no photos - sorry about that Tom.
So February was dominated by bikes and DIY with walks and visits - bodes well for 10 weeks time if we get similar weather ?
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