Technical difficulties

I've been having one of those weeks where everything seems a little off. This included my computer refusing to turn on or off all weekend, instead it remained in a semi alive sleep mode.  As it's only a month old this was rather frustrating! Fortunately after taking it back to the shop it seems to be working again.
However, I'm posting this from my phone as I'm on a train to one of my favourite places in the world, West Yorkshire.  I'm going to go and see Josie Long this evening in Leeds
I'll leave you with this coded reference to how I spent saturday evening .

Autumnal Orange

I know I'm getting a bit repetitive but there's still so much great natural colour out side at the moment that I can't seem to stop myself taking pictures of all this beauty.

To coincide nicely with all this natural orange I'm also in the middle of finishing a crocheted orange baby hat. I went for walk yesterday afternoon through the woods to take pictures and breathe fresh air and it was mild enough to sit for half an hour or so and add a few more rows to the hat. It was really nice to be out doors.

Manchester Museum Vivarium

I've written before about how I like just hanging around Manchester Museum if I have an hour or two to spare in Manchester. Last week I made it to the vivarium . There are so many interesting frogs and toads and lizards there. It was really nice and unexpected to get close to nature right in the middle of the city.
I forgot to write down what any of the creatures are, but , fortunately I have a cousin who is very knowledgeable about all sorts of nature and she identified them for me as much as she could from my pictures.

 This stripy, slightly irreidscent newt-like lizard is a Phelsuma Klemmeri

 These tiny little orange frogs are either Golden Mantilla or Oophaga (Dendrobates) Pumilio

 This handsome fellow who was eyeing me warily is a Fijian green Iguana

 An Oriental Fire-bellied toad, neatly camouflaged on the green leaves.

 This pile of curled up snake is either a green tree python or an emerald tree boa, I guess it's hard to tell when it's just a curled up length of snake.

 An absolutely stunning Panther Chameleon

More Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads hiding in the .

There's such amazing variation and detail in all of these animals, it was really lovely to see them.



Tiny litle boats

On Sunday afternoon I decided that I needed a little adventure. I picked a place on the Metrolink map and took the train and tram to Prestwich. I'd never been there before and that seemed like a good enough reason for my journey. Unfortunately as I arrived there around half four, there wasn't much for me to do, however there is a gorgeous fountain and sculpture in the centre of the local shopping area. I felt it was necessary for me to show some love, so I bought some little plastic boats at one of the few shops open and had a little play.

I love to play in public spaces, anything to bring a little bit more joy to people's daily lives is great by me!

Autumn Brights

Sunday was a gorgeous bright sunny day. I took my camera for a walk to see the last of the bright leaves left on the trees.

There's a lot of beauty out there when I stop and pay attention to it!

Details from around the Victoria Baths

I wrote a bit on Monday about Victoria Baths and how amazing it is. It was nicknamed the Water Palace and it truly feels like a regal place. There is the most incredible attention to detail and fancy stained glass that I don't think I've ever seen in modern buildings.
From the way the changing rooms were designed to the ceiling supports, everything is just a bit more special.

For a building with such a utilitarian purpose (originally people came here not just to swim but to wash and clean themselves) it really is a palace.

 

Letters

I've been single handedly trying to save the Royal mail this year. It's a big ask for one person and I have to admit I failed. However, regardless of the state of our nation's postal service I love sending letters.
There is something so special about receiving an unexpected piece of love in the post. I try and make things as fun as possible with stickers and bright colours

I hope my friends have enjoyed my oddness as much as I've enjoyed sending them.
I'm starting to use my enjoyment of letter writing for good causes too by writing letters as part of Amnesty International actions