Roving Ringers Reunion Weekend 21-22 Feb

Lee and Emma picked up Suki on Friday afternoon - which left us clear on Saturday to just get up and go.  We were going to listen to the Everest book on the way up to Huntingdon - but we couldn't get the phone audio to work through the bluetooth on the car, even though the phone was shown as paired.  So we listened to an interesting programme on the Bach Magnificat instead.  We set off a bit late but got to the first tower at Godmanchester about 10.20 am and Hal immediately came down and carried Mike up.  I tried to ring there but they were too heavy for me and the ropes were new and springy so I didn't carry on.  The next tower was St Ives - which was a ground floor ring with an awful lot of rope, so I didn't ring there but stayed around in the body of the church chatting.  I walked back to the town before the session finished and had a happy time browsing round the shops and farmers marker.  I got myself some nail varnish - another first shock horror!!  At the market I bought a Wild Beaver pie (steak in beaver ale!) and a Penguin Pie (fish!).  Then went to the pub to meet up with the others for lunch.  We both had a light lunch - and went across to Greg's afterwards to get a cake for dessert.  I got a belgian bun which I kept for later, but Mike found a sheltered spot in the high street and ate his custard slice there and then.  We then had a look round the little museum which was rather interesting, and went back along the river so Mike could look out for possible mooring spots for Intrepid.  I rang at the tower after lunch, which were light and easy going, but didn't ring at the final tower which was a tricky 6.  I sat in the car and ate my belgian bun - and got the phone audio working through the bluetooth so were were then able to listen to the book for the rest of the weekend.  The Marriott Hotel at Huntingdon was very nice and we had a ground floor room close to the bar.  I had brought some of my new clothes to wear - and they went very well with my pink jewellery from Sidmouth Folk Festival and my turkey sandals.  I had also remembered to bring my charm bracelet.  The meal was very good - we had a strange pinot noir wine with it but it grew on me after a glass or two.  At the meeting Helen took over as President, and David Richardson became Master.  I got myself a double scotch to see me through proceedings - so didn't feel much like trying anything too challenging on handbells afterwards!  On the Sunday we had a nice relaxed start with breakfast at 8.30 and then off to Over - a ground floor ring where once again there was a very long draft so I didn't ring.  Tony tried them but couldn't manage the long draft.  Then we went to Cambridge.  I left Mike at Great St Mary's to ring and went for a coffee - found Helen and Tony in a nearby cafe and then ended up drinking Helen's coffee as she had to go and ring.  Tony and I went to find the loos and then wandered round the market.  I bought some incense, an olive loaf, a couple of jamaican patties and some decorated gingerbread.  Then we went to the pub to wait for the others to join us.  The roast lunch was excellent. We finished the afternoon at the catholic church - by which time it was pouring with rain and very cold.  I went up the tower but I didn't ring - read my book on Kobo.  I am enjoying Gone Girl a lot - it certainly is better than the film (although to be fair I enjoyed the film except for the ending).  We listened to Everest all the way home - arriving back around 6.45 pm.  Suki didn't come home until the next day!
Handbells after the dinner
Scrubbed up!














More photos ....

Popular posts from this blog

Goodbye Mary

Image
We set off for Devon and became concerned by the gantries stating that there was a 3-hour delay at J 16 of the M4.  We kept going and the signs didn't change - so we used Google maps on my phone to find an alternative route.  It was really good - it didn't follow the official diversion (which was queuing from the motorway) but took us along roads which ran parallel to the motorway - bringing us back on at J18.  We only took about 40 mins longer and got to Bovey at 1.30 - giving us 15 mins for a cup of tea before our meeting with the vicar at 2.  The meeting didn't last long - everything for the funeral seemed to be in hand, even the refreshments which were being organised by the Mothers Union. Then we both took Suki for a walk in Stover before popping up to Tracey House for Mary's handbag and a few bits. The next day was a busy one.  We had a 9.30 appointment with the Registrar in Newton Abbot to register the death, then we went to the funeral directors an...
Read more

Tuesday 29 April

Walked over to Patricia's for lunch and to help with tax forms.   Had spicy chick peas, followed by banana rum and raisin ice cream.  Got the forms done and had nice long chat.  Suki had one of her incontinent moments and soaked one of the chairs (and me).  Walked back but got the E3 from Chiswick Pool.  Rather nice as we had the single seat behind the driver all the way so Suki could look out but not get in anyone's way.  Bus became very crowded as there was a tube strike on. Lorraine cooked supper for us - Indian food which was delicious.  Went to first rehearsal of Chiswick Choir summer term - will probably not sing in the concert as won't be able to attend enough rehearsals.
Read more

Tuesday 29 July

Image
Got up quite early as Jayne had 9 am appointment for blood test.  I put some more washing on, and once this was out went and picked up Jayne and we went straight on for a walk in Bovey Valley woods.  We started on the usual route and then decided to go left to Houndtor Woods when we got to the footbridge.  We took the wrong path back and had to zig zag down to the correct one later, but it was a good path and quite a reasonable route and we were both very relaxed about it. Some ponies with a foal came trotting into the car park as we were about to leave.  We were out for nearly 3 hours and decided to go to the Edgmoor Hotel for lunch.  Jayne had fishcakes - which were delicious but rather large.  I had the club sandwich - which was rather dry and unappetising.  The chips were wonderful but the sandwich was a ciabatta roll with a chunk of cheese, a slice of bacon, some bits of chicken and some tomato and was quite heavy going.  I felt full and slig...
Read more