Saturday

Cloudy and damp first thing.  Good going home weather.  Would have found it hard to drag myself away from garden if hot and sunny.  Did a few going home bits before going out with suki so only got out at 9.  Went to plantation.  Parked at far end of main drag and turned right just inside gate to walk round the edge through the woods meeting up with templer way. This had beed diverted round a particularly boggy patch with nice hard path.  Continued right round the edge of plantation. Surface was very much better than previously with most of it hard and dry but there were still some difficult places.   Survived in boots although had to leap in several places and cling to trees.  Got home and swept drive and front patio then sprayed weeds at front with path clear.  Also sprayed some round the back door.  Had suki on lead slung round my shoulders so she could be outside with me.  Just as well as postman appeared!  At 11 went down to town to watch morris dancing.  Very lucky as Roy's group waiting to dance outside tesco. Stayed to watch them dance then went back as cold and windy even though sun now shining.  Two other groups were dressed up very extravagantly one lot in black and green feathers looking lije witches and the other lot in red feathers and hats with masks looking like highwaymen.  Roy's lot much more traditionally dressed.  Lots of stick bashing and shouting by witches when I arrived.  Then Roy's group danced a gentle one with hankies. Got a good action shot of Roy.  Lady next to me said their dance was pathetic as she liked to see them whacking the sticks.  So much for appreciation of tradition.  There were sounds of stick bashing, shouting and drum banging from all over the place in town and I could still hear it from the house.  I had a banana sandwich and a jam sandwich washed down with milky coffee and then set off home. Had a good run home and was in by 3.40. Had a cup of tea and catch up chat with Lorraine then took suki to Wendell park.  Lorraine came too on my bike - relearning how to ride it.  Saw two pigs being taken for a walk in the park.

Popular posts from this blog

Christmas Newsletter 2018

Image
(click here for short, 2-page version pdf!) Doesn’t time fly! It seems no time at all since I was composing last year’s letter. What a gorgeous summer we had - the heatwave seemed to go on for ever and I spent many a happy hour sitting in the garden - as did Suki! As expected, Mary (Mike’s mum) passed away on 13th December last year - nearly 5 weeks after she first took to her bed and stopped eating.  Everyone at Tracey House was so good with her, caring for her and keeping her comfortable. They also took care of everything at the end which was very helpful. We were fortunate to be able to have the funeral before Christmas so it wasn’t hanging over until the new year. Mary had written down her wishes for hymns and readings and even a potted history for the eulogy! It was very easy to organise, even from a distance. She was well known at the church and there was a good attendance - I was particularly glad that her 90-year old friend, who had been her bridesmaid, was ab
Read more

Saturday 1 February

Mike went off ringing QPs and I went to Denham to do 7-mile Colne Valley circular walk I had stumbled across when researching New Year's Day canal walk.  Walking by 9.10.  Took me four and a half hours because went slightly wrong in the woods and then decided to research possible short cut for future, and also because unable to get under railway bridge at Ickenham due to floods so had to do long detour.  Lovely morning - clear and sunny and not too cold although the wind was somewhat chill.  Underfoot was extremely muddy and often deep in water - luckily boots were up to it.  Had blisters under both feet by the end.  Also found I had burrs sticking to my ear muffs - but only after I had been talking to people whilst completely unaware of this. Got home and changed bedding and did washing.  Then had lovely hot shower and got into comfies for the evening.  Did cross stitch and watched England being beaten by France at Rugby in the last few minutes.  Had pate from Son Ferrer market fo
Read more

Jayne transforms our London residence

Image
Saturday 1st October. Mike went out ringing all day on the South and West quarter peal week which he and Linda had been busy organising for weeks. Jayne and I went to B&Q and bought lots of paint plus a clothes horse and some bits and pieces. We made a start on the kitchen rubbing down the wood and painting the chimney breast and the bottom cabinet doors with the first coat of paint. We were both pretty whacked after that and decided to call it a day. I took Suki for a walk and then we went up to get Lebanese mezzes for supper. Mike came in later and we had supper together and then another early night. The Chimney Breast as it used to look Jayne applies the paint Sunday 2nd October.  Got up early to walk Suki and then get to 8 o'clock service. Mike was playing the organ so I took him a cup of tea before leaving. He was happy not to have breakfast - just as well as he couldn't get into the kitchen! Did the usual ringing circuit and was particularly friendly wi
Read more