UpToday

There is a relatively new website, called UpToday, where you can place notifications of events that you are holding. Launched by people living in Chester and on the Wirral, it is initially focussing on events in our area, but hopes to go nation- or even world-wide. You can see their website here: https://www.uptoday.org/home

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Jax

We are currently fostering Jax, a sprollie (springer spaniel/border collie cross). Initially VERY hyperactive, he has now calmed down, and is about 70% of the way to completing his transformation into a really nice boy. Give him another week and he will be 99% of the way there, but needs a new owner willing to carry on with his training. He would love an active home - he is very good at running with you and would make an ideal dog for someone who goes out for an hour run every day. He is good with other dogs and mixes nicely, and has learned the commands down, wait, and stay. His recall is excellent, and he bonds quickly with people. He has been to two obedience classes and one agility lesson, and has not disgraced himself at either. His major issues are that he jumps (springs!) up at people, and can be a bit barky for attention. He does not walk well on a lead, but has improved now that he is getting more exercise. He is being rehomed through Almost Home dog rescue - https://almosthomedogrescue.dog

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park

La Cucina di Paola

It was my husband's birthday, and I was scratching around for a present for him. I asked Paola Cecchini if she could come and do a cookery lesson, and she agreed! Our friend Steve joined in, and a good time was had by all. Best of all, Steve's wife and I got to eat a delicious three course meal cooked by our husbands. The tiramisu was excellent, and our husbands were telling us how easy it was to make (fools!), You can find out more about what Paola does (cookery lessons are only a small part of it) here: lacucinadipaola.it

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park

February Folk Day

Over at Hoole Community Centre there is a February Day of Folk as a fundraiser towards the cost of putting on the Folk Festival in May. Even if folk music is not your thing, the ceilidh in the evening is really good fun.

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

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Spelling Bee

Over at the Forum Studio Theatre there is an interesting-sounding production next week of the 25th Annual Putnam Count Spelling Bee. Tickets and more information available here:

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

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Blood Oranges

I have a liking for blood oranges from Sicily, but they can be really difficult to get hold of. Luckily Mr Fruity in Faulkner Street buy in a whole crate of them for me every January. It's nice having such obliging local shops.

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park

The Gowy Woodland Park

Out past Mickle Trafford you can park on Hassalls Lane and gain access to the Gowy Woodland Park. It is a landfill site which has been restored and managed and now allows access, mainly to dog walkers. Walking around the site you might notice some tall stench pipes, to allow the gas to escape from the underlying rubbish dump. A new pond has also been created to provide a habitat for the Great Crested Newt.

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park

Hobson's Cafe

Hobson's Cafe is part of Hoole Community Centre. Open Mon - Thurs mornings and lunchtimes it provides homecooked food and snacks. Today the special was pea and paneer curry with naan bread, or there were a choice of soups. Everything is delicious and nutritious, and everyone is very friendly. They are hoping to extend their opening hours to Fridays and Saturdays, and then full days. Go along and try it out! Worth it just to see their Chester artwork.

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park

The Narrows II

Living in Chester, we are fortunate to have so many parks, some of them larger than others, The Narrows, in Hoole, is one of the smaller ones, but it acts as a cut-through for children attending the local school, and as a gathering point for dog walkers during the day. A noticeboard tells us what's on in Hoole, often at the Community Centre. There is a line of hawthorns down the centre, probably an overgrown hedge, and the locals have planted some fruit bushes in one corner, although I think that birds get more of the fruit than the humans do.

See our Chester self-catering serviced apartment at Black Diamond Park

Voir notre appartement meublé avec cuisine situé à Black Diamond Park