Sociable

A reasonable night but with another very early wake up. This led me to contemplate a swim though I prefer not to at the weekend.
Instead, H and I went for an early walk at Pangbourne, just as daylight was descending. This revealed there had been overnight rain.


I had hoped that we might see the sun rising over the river. But that was a very silly idea because there was so much cloud we could hardly see anything. The ground was no longer as dry as a couple of days ago.
Nobody else was about apart from some noisy, but invisible, birds and a shadowy, lone walker with a large rucksack. .
I asked the lone walker where he had started from. His response: Westminster. Six days ago. And this morning? From about a mile and a half away down river. Mapledurham probably. He had wild camped every night and said he was really enjoying his trip, especially the mornings.

H kept herself busy snuffling amongst the undergrowth until we returned to the car. I filled up the car at Pangbourne filling station, intending to buy an avocado and some kitchen roll (both very essential) at the attached Coop shop. Only it had transformed into an Asda since I was last there. And they had run out of avocados.
But it did have a wonderful selection of kitchen roll. And their nut selection as spectacular, which was a helpful distraction.

I brought little H home before departing for fruit and yogurt for brekkie at the Illis. This was very nice, giving me a chance to have a natter before they departed in their different directions for hockey. George in Bristol and F in Aylesbury.
Home again to keep little H company before going to meet Anne at Cobbs farm. The most expensive (not really a) farm shop ever, but with a decent cafe that has reasonably priced food.
(I purchased an avocado at the farm shop. It must have been made of gold considering what I paid. )
Anne only arrived back in the U.K. on Thursday evening after two months with family in New Zealand. Mainly to spend time with very poorly Mary and some time with brother Bill, also very ill. When you have lots of brothers and sisters… And two are already deceased – Julia, who we also knew, many many years ago, and Toni, who we did not know, more recently.
She was well, and reunited with Daisy. We had a light lunch because she was slightly short of time because she wanted to return to Bristol to catch up with Mandy and family there.
I came home for the regulation snooze and for some of my current favourite TV programmes – The Great Pottery Throw Down, CTM, and now, the return of Death in Paradise. All very enjoyable.
I managed to turn the golden avocado and tomato into a salad with a piece of fish dumped on top.

I eventually made it to bed with my best friend beside me, keeping me safe.

A curiosity – I bought the girls an amaryllis each for Christmas- completely encased in wax. Embedded in the wax was a little metal stand at the base, for balance. No watering or care required. Just keep the waxed bulb very chilled until you want it to start to grow. I kept theirs in our shed until around 23/12. Both bulbs have produced the most amazing flowers. When brought into the warmth, green shoots appeared, followed by these flowers. Once they die down, the wax can be removed and they can be replanted in compost for next year.

Penny’s

Alex’s

Just beautiful.

Thought for the Day

A propos of nothing.