Touring

Yes, today was a day when I toured the Oxfordshire countryside as well as a little bit of West Berkshire. The day dawned pretty mucky, with wet roads and lots of poodles. This made it easy: no need to call on my detective skills: it was obvious that it had rained plenty in the hours of darkness.
I had a delivery to make: George to Oxford Hawks Hockey Club. T was unwilling to join us.
So Fleur came to entertain him, but I think the entertainment was a bit one sided. T remained dopey.

There was no disagreeable traffic to hold us up, which was helpful because Hawks is the other side of Oxford. In fact it is the site of the very first match Fleur ever played. She was only about six and had just about learned how to hold the stick, never mind connect it with a ball. G was dropped off and abandoned and I returned home.

My route took me up to the east which is always a pleasant drive with views far and wide. And then across to the A34 past the double jeopardy of the Botley Road and Peartree Interchanges where massive reconstruction has been taking place. Today the route was free of hold ups.

T was still in bed upon my return, but F said he had managed to converse with her for quite a while. We grabbed H and I took Fleur home and H for a short walk. The sun was now trying to shine with minimal success.

On this occasion, T did get himself up, later. And he and I took ourselves for another tour of the countryside. This time we drove west towards Brightwalton to Saddleback café, farm shop. We were able to enjoy the bright and warm sunshine. We placed the men on one table, forbade them from straying, and got on with our gossip.

About three hours later, it was time to spoil the party. And return home.

More wonderful views, but towards the East this time. The thing is, there is virtually no traffic once you escape East Ilsley, the roads are narrow and quite twisty with low hedgerows. So driving is slow and vistas are huge.
Now that the crops are in and the fields are being reploughed, the colours are less warm and contrasting, the golden hues having been replaced by muddy browns and dull greens. Luckily the hedgerows and trees are afire in a blaze of autumn. And some of the berries are spectacular this year – fiery reds, deep orange and dazzling yellow.

So that trip was quite satisfying. H was pleased that we had returned. She could have come out with us but showed no interest in doing so when we were preparing to depart.
The rest of the day degenerated into nothing apart from phone calls from the girls. And consideration of preparations for party Sunday and what to make and what to shop for.

Luckily the Annes are bringing cheese and pavlova between them. Space will be at a premium. We number 9 at the moment and I have yet to reoffer it to the Illis. Injuries may have changed things.

Thought for the Day