Alastair died after a long battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis. He leaves behind his wife Irene, daughter Elaine and son Ian.

I worked with Alastair for many years and found him to be an excellent colleague who knew his job well, did it well and could be relied on at all times. After he retired I visited him frequently and we had wonderful conversations and could always put the world to rights.

I will miss Alastair.

Alastair Matieson (1944 - 2014)

1pm was the Withnell Fold Sports and Social Club walk, starting from the Cricket Field as usual. Even with fine warm weather the turnout was disappointing as we were a total of only 5. We set off across the fields to Brandwood Fold then down the path to Stony Flat Bridge over the Leeds and Liverpool canal and on the towpath. At Brown House Bridge, no 86, was a recently fixed sign pointing to the path over the bridge to the Golden Lion Pub. We carried straight on to Simpson Fold Bridge where we left the canal and headed down the steep path to cross over the River Lostock wooden footbridge.

By the River Lostock wooden footbridge

To the Golden Lion

Lodge below the cricket field

A lovely sunset from Johnson's Hillock on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Steve on Windermere in the 1970s

Steve at White Coppice in 1979

Today my son Steve is 40 years old

The Last Post, Wheelton. 23 Sep 2014
After 25 years as Postmistress at Wheelton Sue is retiring. There is nobody to take over so sadly the Wheelton Post Office will close for the last time today at 1pm, Tue 23rd Sept 2014. Many well-wishers called in during the morning to say their thank yous for her valued service to the community.

Wheelton Postman c1910

Combined Grocer & Post Office c1910

Sir Bradley Wiggins gold post box, Chorley.

Sir Bradley Wiggins gold post box, Eccleston.

Sir Bradley Wiggins won the gold medal in the  men's time trial at the 2012 London Olympics. He has two gold post boxes in the area. I wonder if any other gold medallists have two or more.

The 17th St Chad's, Craft, Produce and Flower Show was held at St Chad's School Assembly Hall, Town Lane, Whittle-le-Woods today. The standard of entries continued very high especially in the photographic competition. These photos were taken during the morning judging before the official opening.

Arinagour, Coll. The main street

Seen near Clabhach, Coll

Between Arinagour, Coll and the ferry terminal is this Harpoon Gun mounted by the road.
It was salvaged by divers from the wreck of the Nevada that ran aground off the north west coast of Coll in July 1942. She was a cargo ship and not a whaler as you may expect with such a harpoon on board.

Croft on Tiree

The Museum at Scarinish, Tiree

Polish airmen from 304 Squadron on Tiree in 1942 in front of a Wellington

This Halifax overshot the runway at Tiree. 1940s

A lovely sunrise at camp one on Tiree

NATS Radar Station.

Tiree croft cottage

Old Keepers Cottages and watchtower at Hynish, Tiree. Radar Station on the hill

Camp on Ben Hynish

After a lovely sunrise there was now a spectacular sunset.

An old clock from Skerryvore now in the Hynish Museum.

The main objective of my trip. To see Skerryvore Lighthouse.
Here it is over 10miles out to sea. It was build by Alan Stevenson in 1844.

In the ferry hold

Approaching Tiree

The last two remaining airworthy Lancaster Bombers flying over Mellor this afternoon.

Leyland Water Supply Reservoir, built 1883, Back Lane,
Clayton-le-Woods before demolition in Nov 2013.

Refitted tyres to my rebuilt wheels then enjoyed a bike ride via Tockholes and Anglezarke. The rims were worn out and needed replacing.

At the same time I fitted new bearing shells to the bottom bracket. It's a straightforward job to replace but they don't last very long.

David Clayton of Brinscall has died at the end of August 2014 aged 77. In 2011 he published his book 'Lost Farms of Brinscall Moors'

He also lead many walks around the ruins of the abandoned farms and also gave many talks about his book around the county.
He spoke to Chorley Historical & Archaeological Society about his book on Tue 10 Jan 2012.

A nice start to the day with a pot of tea at JJ's Diner, Burnley Road, Cliviger.

Seen on a neighbours fence. It is this beautiful example of the garden spider or cross spider.

Cycled to Chorley Photographic Society for the first meeting of the new season. It is one of the oldest societies in Chorley and has been going for almost 120 years. This is my 43rd continuous year, meaning I’ve been a member for over a third of the time it has existed. Now I feel old.