Coney Island

Here's Ilkeston's answer to the famous American amusement park that goes by the name of Coney Island.

Ilkeston's venue is only open for a few days though as the traffic islands on Chalons Way are resurfaced overnight. During the day the cones are moved off the road but left close by.

A Sure Sign

There's a sure sign of the changing seasons in our garden. It's difficult to walk anywhere without disturbing a spider and more than once I've already face full of web. This spider pictured though seemed content to sit in the middle of a damaged web and wait for some unsuspecting prey much smaller than me to become entangled.

Fallen And Plastered

Spotted Santa this morning! And it looks as though he'd been out on an early practice run for Christmas Eve and fallen off his sleigh. He'd lost his hat and there was a big plaster on his head and the least said about the spikes on the gate the better but they certainly didn't cushion his fall. Hope he recovers by December.

In Training

There were a number of dogs with their handlers in the town centre today including this puppy in training.

But it was not just normal dog-training as it is being trained to be a guide dog for the blind. There was also a stall on the Market Place containing information about the dogs and of course collection tins to raise money for the Guide Dogs charity. The dogs are invaluable for blind and partially sighted people and their training isn't cheap but once fully trained and homed, they repay the costs of their training several times over in the long term.

Time To Go

Well yesterday's sporting activities confirmed one thing - participation in an Aquathlon is a definite non-starter.

To be honest I never even considered taking part in the event that is the subject of the banner on Toll Bar House but even if I had, it's too late now as it took place a couple of weeks ago! Maybe it's time for the Conservative controlled council to pay heed to their esteemed leaders in government and remove surplus banners on buildings as well those that are believed to confuse on the roads. The one advertising the Waterside Festival on Gallows Inn Playing Fields has already been removed and that only took place last weekend so why this one is still in situ is a mystery.

Slam Dunk!

I was never good enough to make the school team at soccer or cricket and rugby was never played against other educational establishments but I did represent the school at basketball. But that was about half a century ago and today's run around with the grandsons proved once and for all that my creaking bones and underused muscles will never be able to reach those heights again and slam dunks are totally out of the question. We all enjoyed trying though but I'll probably feel the effects tomorrow.

Summer's Back

After the coldest August for seventeen years we started September today with a lovely fine day that made me think that summer is not all over after all. I should not be surprised though as back in my refereeing days I recall that the first matches I officiated at during the first weekend in the ninth month always seemed to be played in heatwave conditions. My refereeing days are long gone but I do enjoy a good walk for exercise so hopefully the fine weather will continue during the month and especially during the Autumn Footprints Walking Festival which is scheduled for the 11th to the 26th.