I suppose I had better introduce myself. I am John Eccles a 60 odd year old married man who has had a very eventful life in and around the education and media sectors for most of my working life.
My blog consists of various posts covering aspects of life with family and friends in the Northwest of England.
Well here goes, I live in the middle of the pennines in a small village called Diggle. I know its a strange name but its one of several small villages that cling precariously to the moorlands in an area collectively known as Saddleworth, in-between Oldham in Lancashire and Huddersfield in Yorkshire. Depending on the company you are in will determine which side of the border you admit to living in! (yes it is that contentious an issue).
I arrived here thirty years ago with my family to try and give our Kids the best start in life that living in a small community offers. So along with Ann and my two children we embarked upon what our families thought was a huge undertaking. Travelling all of ten miles to move into our first home which at the time seemed to be a very expensive small terraced stone cottage.
To a certain extent our plan was highly successful, not only have we raised the kids here along with various dogs, horses and goldfish but even our grandkids also spend a great deal of time here also.
So whats my blog about. Its about my everyday observations as a 60 odd year old person who goes through life looking for the best in everyone and in every situation. But believe me of late some days thats not been very easy.
I have found that most people in this world are the same no matter what gender, ethnicity or religion they belong to, we all have a need to feel as though we are valued and loved. I have discovered more often than not people will respond to a smile or a kind gesture and before you know it you are having a chat and showing each other photos on your mobiles.
Now my wife sees me before anyone else as the day starts and she suggests fairly frequently that Its the first cup of coffee that makes me a nice person, before that I am very grumpy.
So if you want to get an insight into the mindset of you average grumpy northern bloke who makes media stuff then this could be the place for you.
So I hope you enjoy my blog and please if you do let me know.
John D Eccles 
Hello John: I found your intro very interesting. I am 68 years old and yours was the first I read since our ages are near and our description as “grumpy” seems appropriate. I spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy and met many from the United Kingdom and England at Palma DE Majorca. Once in Puerto Rico, the crew from The Ark Royal nearly killed me as I tried to keep up on the beer drinking.
You seem to lead a very interesting life and I will continue to follow your adventures. You will find my attempt at http://www.nosyguy.com which is also http://www.jimone.wordpress.com
Hi Fella
Thanks for the follow, I think age is just a number and you are as young as your outlook. I am surprised you made it to this age drinking with the sailors from the Royal Navy. I look forward to reading your posts. Good luck with the rest of the week.
John
Hi John,
I may add to your 60s plus following too! I am on my third blogging course with my four blogs. We live off grid so with limited gigabytes I don’t have the luxury of music files which is rough as I am a folkie . I love Brian Mathews on a Saturday morning and I just had to play your Joni Mitchell track. Roz Hill🎶
Hi Roz thanks for the message. You can’t beat a bit of Joni especially after a rough day at the office.i will be putting up a new Track of the week on Sunday but I am struggling to pick between a couple of great ones.
John
Great post John. Sounds like a wholehearted experience you are having. That is wonderful. I Just wanted to stop by and say hello 😉
http://www.quietramblings.com
Thanks for dropping by you are welcome anytime. That is one cute dog you have n your blog header.
Thanks a ton John😉. She’ll be 2 in May my little BellaPoo. Have a fantabulous weekend. You are welcome anytime as well. I enjoy ago feedback😊
http://www.quietramblings.com
My Grand Daughters dog Pebbles is a similar age she is a Jackawawa a cross between a Jack Russell terrier and a Chiwawa. She is just barking mad.
Bella is a MaltiPoo (Maltese/Poodle) she doesn’t bark much because she was sick with kennel cough as a pup. However, I think she’s trying to learn more. Pebbles is a cute name. 😉