Showing posts with label crumpsall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crumpsall. Show all posts

Saturday 23 March 2024

Spring Equinox: Day 7


It's the big day! The culmination of our week of Spring Equinox celebrations (and the equinox itself, of course)! And I had lots of things planned for today.

Bailey’s Wood Walk and Talk




First up, I led a Spring Equinox Walk and Talk session for Friends of Bailey's Wood, spotting all the signs that spring has sprung in the woods (with cake and Vimto afterwards).

Castlerea Poetry in the Park





After the woods, I took the housemates from Castlerea Care Home to Crumpsall Park for a Spring Equinox Poetry in the Park session. We had a lovely time, with seasonal poetry and snacks, and a wander round the park looking for daffodils, blossom and buds.

Gingerbread Popcorn



A little late afternoon seasonal snack (it's got a rabbit on the packet so I'm counting it)... Gingerbread Popcorn from Joe and Seph's!

Spring Equinox Dinner



This evening, Rob cooked us the traditional Spring Equinox dinner of Vegetable Paella.

Spring Equinox Gifts



And we exchanged our traditional Spring Equinox gifts and cards. These whiskies will go into our tasting sets to be enjoyed in December.

Night of the Lepus




We watched our (now) traditional Ostara film tonight... Night of the Lepus!


And so the wheel of the year turns. We'll be celebrating again at Beltane.

Friday 22 March 2024

Spring Equinox: Day 5


Rob was on a long shift today, so I decided to spend the day mostly wandering around (sometimes by myself, sometimes with others).

A Walk in Crumpsall Park




First up, I had a meeting in the park with Friends of Crumpsall Park. And I spotted the first of the daisies!

Milk Cake and Chai



After the park meeting, I walked over to You, Me and Tea in Crumpsall for some Pistachio Milk Cake and Pink Chai (which both looked suitably seasonal).

A Walk in Blackley Forest




Then after the cake, I wandered through Blackley Forest for a bit, enjoying some springtime peace and quiet.

A Walk in Heaton Park





Later on in the afternoon, me and my mum went for a little walk in Heaton Park.

Bailey’s Wood Spring Equinox Walk




Finally, I led a community Spring Equinox Walk in the Woods for the Friends of Bailey's Wood, sharing stories and folklore of the season.

Wednesday 20 March 2024

Spring Equinox: Day 3


Another day of celebrating the beginning of spring, and today was a bit of a busy one. Lots of seasonal fun today!

Crumpsall Park Spring Equinox Walk




I started the day by leading a Spring Equinox walk for Friends of Crumpsall Park. The sun was shining, and it was warmer than it's been, so it really did feel like spring was in the air.

Blossom Watch



On the way home from the park I saw two beautiful cherry blossom trees in bloom. They look like candy floss!

Hannah’s Bookshelf Spring Equinox Special





Today was the first ever Spring Equinox Special on Hannah's Bookshelf, my weekly radio show on North Manchester FM. I talked about spring folklore, played some spring-themed music, and then shared some original Equinox-inspired bite-size short stories by contributors to the show. I also made some more white chocolate and Parma Violets cupcakes for the volunteers at the centre where our studio is based.

Chocolate Popcorn



Okay, this one's advertised as an Easter treat, but as far as I'm concerned anything with a bunny rabbit on the packet is perfect for the Spring Equinox! Little snack for after my radio show... Trio of Chocolate Popcorn from Joe and Seph's!

Ostara Wax Melts



We bought a new wax diffuser last year, but we couldn't use it at Imbolc in case it aggravated the horrible coughs we got with one of the many colds we've had so far this year. But we've fired it up for spring, and this season we've got bunny rabbit shaped Black Plum and Rhubarb melts from Mysteria Melts.

Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by Candlelight



Going to see a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Piccadilly Sinfonietta is now an annual tradition for us. It was part of our Imbolc celebrations for the past two years, but this year their performance at St Ann's Church fell during our Spring Equinox celebrations. It felt like this made more sense, as the Four Seasons does start with spring after all!

Hot Cross Bun Pie



We stopped off at McDonald's on the way home from the concert. Again, this seems like it might have been intended as an Easter special, but I think a Hot Cross Bun pie is seasonal enough for the Spring Equinox.

Sunday 10 March 2024

Events in March 2024




Virtual Writing Retreat
Sunday 10th March
10.30–5.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf
I'm hosting an online writing retreat for creative writers with writing exercises and structured writing sessions
Members Event

Spring Equinox Walk in the Park
Saturday 16th March
11.00–12noon
Friends of Crumpsall Park
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the park to enjoy nature and the changing seasons
Booking Link

Hannah's Bookshelf Spring Equinox Special
Saturday 16th March
2.00–4.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf / North Manchester FM
I'm hosting a special seasonal edition of my regular radio show on North Manchester FM, including Spring Equinox-themed flash fiction
Submission Link

Spring Equinox Walk in the Woods
Monday 18th March
5.30–6.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a sociable walk in the woods to enjoy the changing seasons
Booking Link

Bailey's Wood Spring Equinox Walk and Talk
Wednesday 20th March
11.00–12.30pm
Friends of Bailey's Wood
I'll be leading a gentle, social walk in the woods with a Spring Equinox theme
Booking Link

Spring Equinox Poetry in the Park
Wednesday 20th March
1.00–4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session in the park for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Hannah's Bookshelf Live Poetry Special
Saturday 23rd March
2.00–4.00pm
Hannah's Bookshelf / North Manchester FM
I'm hosting my annual live poetry radio show on North Manchester FM, with performances from 12 poets
Submission Link

Easter Stories
Wednesday 27th March
2.00-4.00pm
Castlerea House
I'm running a seasonal poetry and storytelling workshop session for residents at Castlerea care home
Private Event

Interested in booking me for an event? Click here to find out more.

Sunday 31 December 2023

Countdown to Christmas: Day 24


Christmas Eve was an insanely busy day, not helped by the fact that I didn't get any sleep last night. But it was all very good festive stuff, and I had an amazing time. (I just wish I hadn't been so tired that I went out in odd shoes at one point, and then broke my glasses in the evening!)

Operation Turkey



First thing in the morning, I headed over to Bury for what me and my mother-in-law were calling Operation Turkey (i.e. I took her to the local farm shop to pick up the turkey she'd ordered). This was an odd mission for a vegetarian to undertake, but she did give me a cup of tea and some homemade mince pies afterwards.

Castlerea Christmas Party



Next stop, Castlerea Care Home for the Christmas Eve party. I took a bottle of Salted Caramel Bailey's and some mince pies, read 'A Visit from St Nicholas' (aka ''Twas the Night Before Christmas'), and then handed out presents for the residents and staff. They had a Christmas quiz after that, but I couldn't stay because I had to fly off to my next thing.

Christmas Drink With a Friend



Me and my friend Poppy met up in Bowker Bank Woods for a festive drink and a chat this afternoon. And yes... yes I did make more mulled apple juice for the occasion.

Walk in the Woods





I had an amazing twilight walk to my parents' house through Blackley Forest this evening, with The Nutcracker Suite in my ears and a rucksack full of presents on my back. Admittedly, all I'd had so far today was mince pies, a little bit of Bailey's and some mulled apple juice (on around 2 hours sleep), but it was a perfect walk all the same.

Salted Caramel Lebkuchen Tea



At my parents' house and enjoying a little bit of calm before the rest of my family arrive, with some Bird and Blend Salted Caramel Lebkuchen tea.

Advent Tea



Behind the final door in my Bird and Blend tea calendar... Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

Advent Jewellery



And behind the penultimate door in my Avon jewellery calendar (because it's got a renegade Door No. 25 for tomorrow)... a candy cane pendant!

And so, the countdown is over and I'm ready for Christmas with my family, and so that's where I'm ending this blog. The wheel of the year will turn again after New Year, when we'll be getting ready to celebrate Imbolc.

Thursday 21 December 2023

Countdown to Christmas: Day 4


Today was mostly about work (and shopping for later in the week), but I injected a little bit of festivity into one of my meetings at least.

Friends of Crumpsall Park





Friends of Crumpsall Park committee meeting but make it Christmas... featuring stollen and Mulled Cider tea from Bird and Blend Tea.

Advent Tea



Behind Door No. 4 in my Bird and Blend Tea advent calendar... 'Tis the Squeezon!

Advent Jewellery



And behind Door No. 4 in my Avon jewellery calendar... a silver bow pendant!