Life!

Went over to see Gill and Martin at the beginning of the month.  The traffic was heavy and it took us nearly two hours to get there.  We had a lovely lunch of homemade pizza sitting out on the terrace.  Then we wandered in to Petersfield and had a coffee before heading off home again. I rivalled Dial-a-Ride this month - transporting Monica, with her replacement knee and Mike, with his broken leg, to church and ringing! Enjoyed a couple of Summer Sings with Goldsmiths Choral Union - Sea Symphony by Vaughan Williams, and Bach B Minor Mass. We realised afterwards that Mike had not sung in the concert when we did the Sea Symphony.  I enjoyed both evenings, especially the B Minor Mass, because I knew the music well. Met Muffie for coffee in Richmond, and had an excellent supper at Cotes with Pru and Caroline.  Monica and I went to the Cantanti Concert and enjoyed it.  The new conductor engaged more with the audience - and patrons got a free glass of wine! ...

Jayne and I went for an early walk in Parke - but skipped having a coffee at the cafe afterwards because it was full of runners and only minimal staff.  Jayne walked back and I set off from there back to London.  I had a reasonable journey and although the traffic was heavy I didn't get held up at all until I reached the A312 about 5 miles from home!  The traffic southbound was horrendous - stationary from Bath to Taunton - and sluggish thereafter.  Bank holiday weekend and the start of half term! The garden looked amazing - particularly the roses and the newer clematis. I mowed the lawn and then put the new narrow drawers together and placed them in situ, hoovering the site first. I then felt slightly dizzy and decided to have a sit down and something to eat.  I was just having a coffee afterwards when Mike turned up.  He was somewhat miserable (which is unusual for him after Intrepid as it usually bucks him up) and started banging around making...

I went to Castle Drogo and did a 4.5 mile circular walk which turned out to be quite dramatic in places, starting with a high path along the side of the valley, then steep descent to Fingle bridge, then along by the river which included a very steep set of steps, and then long climb back up to the car park. Nearly 1000 ft of descent and ascent. It was a very hot day and Suki was grateful for the bit by the river in woods. There was a black adder on the path at one point - I kept Suki well away while I took a couple of pics.  It was curled up at first but then slithered away across the path and into the undergrowth. It was a very enjoyable walk and I am glad I did it - just as well I didn't know what it was like until I had set off! I had a nice sandwich and cup of tea at the cafe afterwards - possible that dogs weren't allowed in the till area but by the time they saw her it was too late and I didn't see any notices. The Route The o...

On 11th May Mike went off on Intrepid for a fortnight, and Suki and I went down to Devon! We both set off around 9 am - I had a long journey as the M4 was closed at Oxford and it took over four hours.  They had great weather on Intrepid, as I did in Devon, and apparently the ringing was good too. Intrepid itinerary .      Intrepid QPs. Oxford - OUSGG Centenary Dinner  - in the middle weekend of the fortnight Mike and I travelled to Oxford for the OUSGG celebration dinner.  I drove from Devon - it took just under 3 hours - arriving at The Osney Arms where we were booked in for the night at 4 pm.  The owners were out shopping but returned shortly afterwards, and the guy parked my car for me on the tarmac in front of the guest house. I checked in and then walked up to the station, which was only a short walk away, to meet Mike off the train.  There was an excellent wet room at the guest house and we were both able to get a shower and changed befo...