John D Eccles

Well here I am I have reached the biblical age of three score and ten and considering this in my mind I may be close to the finishing line, what a sobering thought that is! In my head I am still eighteen years old however my physical aches and pains say to me I may be looking on the bright side of life. When I look in the bathroom mirror in the morning I now see my granddad looking back at…

Sorry for the lack of posts I would like to say recently but my last one was posted in January 2020, that is very tardy by anyones rules. So what’s happened in between. COVID happened and what a shock that was. The first shut down was a breeze, long summer days spent walking the deserted moors with my grandson who came to stay to keep him safe from infection. I still did my university work…

Wow! What a Week that Was

Coutesy of Getty Images

Well as second weeks of the new year went it has been quite a week.

We have poor Australia burning as we speak, President Trump has exceeded all expectations and has actually done the unthinkable and finally Prince Harry has delivered a death like blow to the monarchy.

Now Donald the Orange has done what most people would love to do by assassinating a rather vile…

It’s a Student Lifestyle for me!

What does a semi retired sixty odd year old do when the world stars to see him as the great transparent grumpy old bloke that has very little relevance to the world in which he lives.

Now I am not complaining , I am quite happy with my lot, I travel, I am in good health and I keep abreast of the latest technology so I can survive in this world of handheld devices and the internet.

So back to my…

Trevor Horn saved my life!

Trevor Horn Band with The Sarn Orchestra

Lady Ann and myself have had a great week, apart from pedestrian activities like shopping for provisions and various doctors appointments we have ventured into unfamiliar territory we attended a concert in our local metropolis, Manchester!

Now I can hear all my friends asking why the hell would you want to put yourselves through that. 

Now we…

The start of the Holidays

It has been a very strange day. Myself and Lady Ann decided mid afternoon to scoot over the hill to Yorkshire and sample the delights of the culinary cuisine on offer.

Now my dish of choice isn’t on offer everywhere so you can imaging my delight when I discovered Fish finger butties on the menu. This washed down with a very large Latte is just what the doctor ordered.

This evening was a…

Stand by for a Rant

The other evening I had to attend a meeting at the civic hall in Oldham at 7.00. Now not wanting to be on the last minute I arrived at 6.45 and thought the car park is £1.30 for 5 hours so I purchased ticket for £2.00 because I didn’t have the right amount and the machine didn’t give change.

I didn’t think anything of it and went into my meeting. 

You can imagine my surprise when I came…

Can’t beat a bit of social media to lift the spirits

I can’t believe it’s been three months since I sat here and wrote a blog entry but we have had a very eventful time.

Since Christmas two things have hoovered up my time, Lady Ann’s deteriorating health which is now improving and deciding to stand in the local elections as a Councillor.

Now either one of these soaks up enough time on there own but combined I haven’t had time to even have a…

The Changing Face of Village Life

Diggle in 1900

February is here and the lighter nights have started making an appearance and that is always welcome. By mid month it always reminds me that winter is on the way out and warmer days are coming.

Here on top of the world it is when the moors start to change colour and the village starts to come to life again. Now village life is not for every one but I like it. Villages are…