A day in the life of grandad

woke up to sunshine this morning aftter a cloudy day onsunday,with some rain .
we has a lovely meal yesteday cathy cooked the roast pork .Plenty of veggies in the garden and all sorts of goodies in the greenhouse. lunch was at 3pm and we were wtill going at 6pm,on to the cheese and biscuits, and of course plenty of wine to drink. we even had rhubarb crumble and we were all stuffed. We sat and watched the LAST lastof the summer wine, but i had been very greedy and even just sitting was uncomfortable
There is talk that we might have a saunter along the valley, between the lovely hills, but I would have to go very slow.
I am sitting out on the terrace, after Thomas brought me some eggs and bacon and I have been reading today's Times, which Thomas went along to the PO to buy for me. It is lovely being spoilt. Questions are being asked about what to do and where to go, but when the sun is hot, as is now the case, it seems a shame to be sitting in a car when the sun is shining. John is looking for some BBQ things so it looks as if we may have an al fresco meal today.
Bank Holiday Monday. Well, we DID have a BBQ in the paddock. John found all the necessary things and we were soon sitting on a bright sunny day, enjoying yesterday's cold pork, plus some very tasty Co-op burgers. I had been reading the Times on the patio and I got very red faced, but as the day wore on and we consumed more food and drank more wine we were all enjoying our sun burn. We all had a lovely sunny day.
TUESDAY AM
Up and dressed by 8am, packed my bag and John made me a soft boiled egg breakfast. Cathy was off to work, so I decided to get moving. I was heading East into a rising son, but the views were wonderful, as I slowly drove up to the main road. The road from Lampeter goes up for a few miles and when it reaches the summit, it is all downhill along a very twisty road, down to the A 40, at Llanwrda. By the time of my first hour I was through Llandovery and heading for Brecon. On my outward journey I took the wrong exit off the large roundabout and wasted time heading through the town, stopping at traffic lights etc. This time I also took the wrong exit and found myself on the road towards Hereford, instead of to Abergavenny, and Ross-on-Wye.
Nil desperandum, and I continued along a very quiet road to Hereford, then to Worcester, where I joined the motorway, only an hour from Banbury. An easy route as there are no speed limits and no traffic lights or stops. I went into the 24 hr Tesco in Banbury and bought enough STUFF to last me for a while, and was home, in 30 mins. I heated up some ready meals in the fridge and settled down to looking in to my computer The Eagled had Landed!! Just got home safely.

Borth

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Originally uploaded by cathy bach

Mini Stonehenge

Surf school

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Originally uploaded by cathy bach

Thomas and Kate last tuesday.

Safe arrival

Grandad has arrived in west wales at 11a.m. this morning after setting of at 7, and has brought the sunshine

Bank Holiday in Wales.

Dad,if you have any doubt about driving all the way just give me a ring in the morning or this evening if you're still up, it's got late and I didn't like to phone. I could drive over, meet you, and we could leave your car (or my car)at my friends house. I don't know I intended to phone you again to check that you still happy to do it.Or catch a train, Edmund tells me trains go stop at KS and stop at Cardiff and Abergaveny and John or I could pick you up.

Clive and Gemma,I don't know much about Narbeth, exept that it is small and surposed to have a good arts scene and just outside the town there is a large swimming pool with flumes, a beach etc called Blue lagoon, probably only of interest to people with children to entertain. St Davids is very nice, the Catheral and the remains of the Bishops Palace, coffee shops, nice gifty shops etc and a very lovely costal walk with St Nons(St Davids mother)chapel and well, tiny and charming. We are about 11/2 to 2hrs from Narbeth and we would love to see you if you felt like it, Lunch? It has been very wet here so pack your wellies.

Do not phone me until Tuesday

Cathy has invited me to Wales for the BANK HOLIDAY weekend, probably coming back on Tuesday or Wednesday.
So do not bother to phone me OR send emails because I am having trouble with GOOGLE who cannot send out any EMAILS. Sorry, Julian, but NO MORE book orders until I contact you. LOVE TO ALL DAD

Welsh Holiday

Clive and I are having a long weekend next month in beautiful Pembrokeshire for his birthday weekend (its the new Cornwall). Anyone got any top tips as its the first time we've been that way? Perhaps for the car route from Oxfordshire, or a good stop off on the way there? Or any must see place whilst we are there?We're staying near Narberth.

love Gem xx

This made me laugh

This sketch was on tv this week in our latest favourite comedy show 'Cowards' (BBC). Grandad you can imagine this makes me laugh!:



Grandad, so glad to hear you had an excellent night out. Last night Clive and I met up with Will after work (first for a pint of Holt Humdinger which got the seal of approval from Will) and then a fishy dinner at Loch Fyne in Jericho. Clive and I shared a seafood platter with crab, which always reminds me of our fishy dinners we had at that harbour side restaurant in Meze.

love Gem xx

Out to dinner

I have just got in after being spoilt by an old acquaintance of mine (Ian Watson) when I worked in Lloyds Bank in Thame. It is now 1030pm!
I forgot that he had been transferred to Brackley in 1972 and only met him again following a chance remark to my solicitor when I changed my Will the other day. Anyway, I had a telephone call from Ian the same day and he invited me over to dinner in Hinton in the Hedges. I naturally thought it would be at his house BUT we met his wife, Shirley in The Crewe Arms in Hinton, and sat down to a wonderful filet steak dinner in the lovely pub that Steve and I went to last Sunday, following our long trip down to Devon. I also had a couple of Hooky (Beer from Hook Norton, near Chipping Norton) beers and later went back to their lovely house for a coffee and a long chat about people and places that we used to know 28 years ago. What a small world! So that is where I went this evening.
Their house is SO perfect that I understand why I was treated to a pub dinner. I don't think Shirley wants to let her PERFECT house be spoilt, by food and food smells. They were both so kind and helped me into their car and things like that, so I must not be bitchy. Ian collected me from K/S and drove me home again.

SKYPlus André Rieu

Saturday night SkyArts2.André Rieu: Romantic Paradise

Charming and charismatic violin sensation André Rieu brings you a spectacular starlit concert from Cortona. Eager to serenade you under the Tuscan sky, Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra offer magical performances of Rota's Love Theme from The Godfather, Offenbach's Barcarole from Carmen, Rossini's William Tell Overture and The Rose.
Newsletter
8pm, Sat 14 Aug, Sky Arts 2/HD

Halfords have an offer on scooters at the moment. To be honest I didn't know they did'em, but I had to pop in for some oil and leaded petrol substitute and picked up a brochure.

The ELITE XS (Henry) SCOOTER is still available it says in the blurb and is (quote)

'Designed for those who want to travel further. The Elite XS is designed to meet the needs of the most discerning customer.' (Yuk yuk yuk!!!)

'Features and Benefits

Travels long distances - up to 57km/36 miles with a full battery charge*
Higher speed of up to 8mph for road use
Offers greater legroom, ideal for taller persons
Comfortable seat with flip up arms for longer journeys
Unique locking storage compartment to secure accessories
Powerful front light for safe road use
Choose from right or left hand controls suitable for persons with limited use in one hand or arm
Available in red or blue'

The Magic Roundabout

Watch The Magic Roundabout - Mr Rusty Meets Zebedee in Animation  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Since Will has bagged the name Dougal or Little Doogs, what should we call a 30 year old Land Rover? There's Florence, Dylan, Ermintrude, Brian the Snail or Mr Rusty???

Returning via Swindon on Saturday we passed over the famous Magic Roundabout heading back to Lechlade without incident... was it magic?

another day

on Monday,I went into Oxford with a couple of friends from Catenians and we had a lovely meeting and dinner at the very posh Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford, on the Henley road. .Got home about midnight. Tuesday I went into Thame first to post some of Julian's books on his instructions, then to collect a re stitched leather suit zip bag (Fay's) which had come undone and then to the bank to make some alterations to my accounts.
Then had a walk round and through the much larger Farmers market. I had a hot chocolate drink in the Co-op cafe then went into new Sainsbury's then into Martins (The Post Office), then to John the Stitcher to collect Fay's leather bag, then into Waitrose to use their toilet, then into the bank, where I knew nobody and nobody knew me. Then I met Mrs Glendinning, who told me the Steeles were on holiday, so didn't see them.
Then I went to Ken and Jean's bungalow, met Neil ( now a screen standin for Mr Bean) , Ken and Jean and Ken's elderly cousin. Stayed there yarning for a couple of hours and THEN came home along the M40 in pouring rain. I like m/ways as you haven't got to keep to a speed limit, unlike other journeys through country roads where there are speed cameras.(as I know to my cost)
Yes I am a bit stiff after my long ride with Steve, Cath, but it WAS nice to be with him and he does love his landy (makes him feel like a farmer with his dogs and flat cap)
Nice to hear from Pete that you all had a good time in Forty Green, and that you were able to see the sea, in wet Wales. Good luck with the shed, Cath. Love to all. DAD

Our Route through the Cotswolds

Dad was telling me all about his motorcycle accident at Burford all those years ago the site of which we passed on the A361 on Saturday. The road has it's own Webpage.

It seems to be a popular route!

Hail to the Ale! And a 1/3 pint...for the lady.

Clive and I caught the train after work on Friday up to London, to meet Mandy and her friend Selena at Earls Courts for a trip round the 'Great British Beer Festival' hosted by CAMRA. Overwhelmed by the range of ales around (yes Grandad there was a token wine stall (for the lady?) who'd prefer to ignore the whole point of a beer festival, never mind. So first on our hit list was Holt Brewery (Manchester). Unfortunately they were out of 'Humdinger' so we had a 'Mild' instead. We stuck to 1/3 pint measures so we wouldn't be stuck with a whole pint of something if we didn't like it, plus it kept the cost down to around a £1 a drink.

Other brews we tasted were: Marston's EPA (Clive really liked this one);Jennings 'Lakeland Stunner' (fab name and lovely too); Bath Ales 'Dark Gem' (can you sense a theme here?) and an Oldershaw Mowbray's Mash. Not bad for two hours. There were plenty of food stalls there (fish and chips, Chinese, pork scratchings- all pub classics), and traditional pub games included Skittles (Northants rules though so no overarm throwing) so we had traditional tea of a bag of chips. Musical entertainment from The Hamsters, and a huge cheer/Mexican wave would roll around the hall whenever a glass was dropped. There was even a section for overseas brews called 'Bieres sans frontiers'.

On another note entirely, it has been the first festival/gig/event I have EVER been to where there was long queues for the Gents loos and NOT the Ladies..at last! There was even a young chap (very polite and clearly in some danger (!) and pain) who pleaded with us clearly amused ladies to let him use our loos. He was so grateful he even promised to remember to put the lid down.

http://gbbf.camra.org.uk

Recommend beer festivals, anyone fancy a trip round Hook Norton brewery?

John Bishop's Britain

Dieting

SORRY MAASTRICHT

I WRONGLY CALLED MAASTRICHT, SAARBRUCKEN IN MY REPORT OF THE ANDRE RIEU (no W at the end) CONCERT. I APOLOGISE UNRESERVEDLY TO THE TOWN AND PEOPLE OF MAASTRICHT, IN THE NETHERLANDS WHO ENJOYED THE LOVELY EVENING I REPORTED. Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa. Hugh, Dad Grandad etc

Benllech and back again

Went back up to Benllech on Thursday morning, taking Andy our pastor to see the camp in action. 4 and a half hours from 7.30am to 12 noon seemed to breeze by with no traffic to speak of, only a small hold up near Wolverhampton at the M6 motorway repairs, and of course the A55 North Wales Coast road being dual carriageway all the way to Bangor - not like it was back in my day!
Had lunch with the girls and enjoyed the afternoon activities trying to identify tent leaders dressed up on the beach in the annual Officer Hunt. Beth was Mrs Incredible so she stood out quite clearly but Jess was dressed as a jellyfish and was half buried in sand. She was nearly trodden on a few times. One of the lads was in combat gear and lay next to the grass a stone's throw from Jess and he wasn't spotted till near the end. Quite funny watching a jellyfish, Buzz Lightyear, Father Christmas, Mrs Incredible and many other running about on the beach trying not to be caught by the kids who were all supposed to be collecting their autographs. Nice evening activities followed in one of the big tents, including an entertaining talent show and then it was an early night for all and some well deserved rest.
We had a wild night with the wind pushing the tents almost flat. If we hadn't been sleeping in them they might have ended up in the Irish Sea. I lost a support pole to the wind. It just buckled and split while I was taking the tent down in the morning.
Set off for home shortly after a hearty breakfast but it was nose to tail all the way from Bangor to south of Birmingham. I can't remember such busy roads. I don't think we got over 60 mph for more than a few miles. There were queues even to get off to visit the service stations! Won't be doing that again! And it rained most of the way back, in contrast to the journey up. I was pancaked by the end of the day but it was a worthwhile trip all the same.
I guess I should be glad I was doing the journey in a modern efficient diesel, but the romance of the Landy journey still appeals, though perhaps not the mackerel....

Feet up!

The second thing I did, after our epic journey was to find out the test match scores, Disappointed I turned on the TV and watched an evening with Andre Rieuw, from the centre of Saarbrucken, where the town was floodlit and the square was full of Saarbruckese enjoying the warm evening and watching a stage show by the now famous Andre and his colourful, musical Waltz orchestra.
It was a lovely programme fronted by Andre and the orchestra played a Carillon song with a member of the orchestra sitting in the large Carillon tower in the Town centre, playing the carillon and accompanying the orchestra. Much fun as he ran up to the top of the tower and then dashed down to rejoin the orchestra. Then some typical Austrian waltz music with some clowning from the musicians. It was a lovely show and a beautiful sight to see the town illuminated and the huge crowd enjoying the evening. Could we do this in Birmingham ?? From our tv columnist. PHMS

A LONG WAY FOR A PADDLE

Woke up at 0530, got up and had a shower, got dressed, made myself some porridge and in no time, it was 0700 and Steve turned up in his old fashioned Landy (Land Rover to you) Weather was dry and we started on our journey to go into Devon and pick up five tyred wheels, which he had bought on eBay for his Landy at a VERY good price. He had arranged with a lady in Honiton that he would arrive at 12 Noon and he hoped she had got them ready to collect. I think Steve said his old Landy was 1957 vintage but it was NOT uncomfortalble, and was very noisy and rattled a bit.
What had I done?? I agreed to accompany him, but never imagined that at a top speed of about 55-65mph, it was going to take nearly five hours.
We headed off through Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset via the A361 and without stopping we crossed the line into Devon at about 1130. As Steve had his Satellite Positioning iPhone with him we soon found the little village that we were aiming for. The tyred wheels were all ready and in no time he had loaded these five great big tyres into the back of his Landy and we were off to find lunch. The time was 1159 and it was still dry. We had been on the road for 5 hours!
Where to go for lunch as the weather looked anything but promising. Steve decided that we would head for Lyme Regis, in Dorset, as the further we went into Devon, the further it would be to get back to K/S.
By now it was raining very hard but we went on until we arrived in the very hilly little town of Lyme Regis, which was crowded with holiday-makers, defying the rain and we were lucky to find room in the car park. It was now nearly six hours since we left K/S and we were both ready for a gents toilet!!, which was in the car park. Relief!. Next was to find some food and if you know L/R you will know that there is no shortage of pubs and cafes.
Lots of people were outside a big pub, so we decided to go inside as the rain clouds were building up and we still hadn't had our paddle. Wet head, yes, but no wet feet OOHH. We bought a pint of local beer each and I had mackerel and chips, while Steve had a fish pie. After all we were at the seaside.
We wandered round the little town and we looked at the long breakwater where the French Lieutenants Women waited for her lover (in the film, I mean). Time was dragging on and we left L/R bound for home along the Dorset coast road. Turned in towards Salisbury and slowly made our way back to Gloucestershie when we found a delightful pub by the River Thames in Lechlade (near its starting point) and sat down for another pint and some hot fish and chips. There were swans and a large selection of ducks, being fed by other visitors and children and we sat and watched until it started to rain, so back in Landy and headed towards the large Honda town of Swindon. More rain so, heads down and we retraced our trip along the A 361 until we arrived home at 830pm, having been up since 0545. We agreed to meet again for lunch tomorrow, but no more mackerels for me in Hinton.

Mr Bean - Where to put the tv aerial

Another lovely day.

What a lovely day I have had (depending on what you call lovely)
Woke to rain so decided not to do anything, but by 0900 the rain had given way to clear and dry so I thought I would go into Banbury and see what Maplin’s had in the way of indoor TV aerials, as my order to Daily Mirror offers had not materialized.
By the time I got to Maplins by way of the lower road (to avoid all traffic lights) the rain had abated so I went into the shop and by the time I had disclosed where I lived and he told me of the poor reception, which I knew anyway, I finally bought his recommended aerial, but he could make no promises. Nor could he guarantee its use as a way of getting DAB radio, which I have never managed in all the years I have had a Roberts DAB radio. Also went into the Pound shop to stock up with tinned food and pepsis etc. (and some chockies) The girl on the counter was very helpful, I must be looking old.
My next visit was to the massive 24 hour Tesco next door as I wanted a hot chocolate and I was also looking for a bathroom heater. No luck with the heater, but I managed to get my hot chocolate; and as is my normal custom in supermarkets I had to look round the ground floor as I needed some onions, olive oil and some green veggies. As it was school holidays the shop was full but I managed to get what I wanted,plus some bananas, and some lo-salt. I also dropped in to the motor fuel and filled up with diesel. Next step was to visit the new Toby Jug Pub/restaurant, which was on the way home and for a fiver you get a wonderful carvery of beef, or gammon or turkey, or all three if you wanted. I stood behind a man in the queue and my head almost reached his shoulder. He was HUGE. The veggies were lovely and the roast tatties were just marvelous. I also treated myself to a pint of IPA and the girl waitress was very kind and found me a table for one. I took my time over the huge meal and when I went to collect the car from the disabled car park, who should turn up but my queue Giant, who said, we stood together in the queue, did you have a good meal. I said what do you do up there, pointing to his head. He laughed and said that's my business. I said how tall are you 6' 8" he said dead right. He was from Leamington Spa. He made sure I knew it was ROYAL Leamington Spa. He wished me good day and I wended my way home, by about 2pm. Funny init he was SO tall and big with it that he must have seen everything even little ole me, down there. I felt SO small.
Having unloaded my purchases, I was just in time to watch the ballet Cinderella, with music by Prokofiev and choreography by that Russian, Ivor Gette.
It was a fantastic programme , renamed Cinderella goes to Hollywood, and we went to the Grand Ball, where we saw the Russian Dance, The Spanish dance and the beautiful Chinese dance. She danced with the Prince but she went to Hollywood, fell for the leading man, tried the shoe on and it fitted. The 50% male dancers and corps de ballet were wonderful. The supporting cast of step mother (and father) plus the two sisters, danced beautifully and with much humour and it all ended happily ever after with Cinderella and her Prince signing their film contracts and everyone was happy ever after. I was in tears. Prokofiev was very very good, The music was wonderful...
Next was La Traviata by Jo Green, and I had a front seat to watch a beautififul Opera, with Angela Georghio in the lead and a tenor who was not as beautiful as my Rolando and certainly could not sing as well. It all starts off in the party of Violetta, when she suggests that they all drink champagne and sing the brindisi song. The tenor Alfredo falls in love with her but she spurns him and collapses in pain with what we later learn was T.B, but she passes it off and decides to enjoy whatever life she has got left, by partying and having lovers. Alfredo gets all love stricken and his father pleads with him not to let his family down, and I think he, too falls for Violetta, but V decides to follow his plea to give up Alfredo, who she has now fallen in love with.
The story goes from will she, won’t she, to her collapsing on the bed. Dr comes and says she will get better when Alfredo returns from Provence, but she doesn’t and the opera grinds to her falling, dead into Alfredo’s arms. Music is lovely, singing wonderful, especially by V.
Lauren Maatzell conducts the super orchestra and the curtain comes down

Seeing Red at the Serpentine

A view out of the Pavillion looking North.
In one's eye the word sky appears quite blue even on an overcast day, but the camera doesn't lie.
Is it the only gallery with rose tinted windows?

Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2010 by Jean Nouvel from O Production Ltd. on Vimeo.

Camping in Benllech

Had a lovely time with Cathy and John over with the kids back on the 24th, 25th and 26th. We had a few bevvies and a lovely chicken curry supper and spent the evening round the campfire. Dad was able to get out and enjoy it too and stayed over in Amy's room. Sunday we had a great barbecue and once again had a few beers and stayed up round the fire. We then had to leave Monday morning and let Cath close up shop. Shame that none of us noticed the 2lbs of Bolognaise sauce sitting on the hob leftover from providing for Amy on the Friday. We had planned on freezing it but it was a bit fury when we got back!

Monday saw us travel up to Benllech on Anglesey with all the girls. We had a really easy journey and set up camp before getting stuck in helping set up the main camp which was due to start on the Thursday. We had a good few days and got some time on the beach too, introducing Amy to rock pools. Jan and I got over to Newborough too to look at the dunes. It's a long time since I've seen dunes.

Jess and Beth are still up in Benllech as I write. We came back on Thursday and have had a relaxing weekend getting the house cleaned up and re-organised. Last night I wrote a piece for Julian about his book and it should be in the new OT newsletter which is due out next week or the week after. Thanks Dad for bringing over the copies of Postcards from Provence. It really is a beautiful thing to hold and look through. Well done indeed, Julian. Hopefully the article will plug a few sales too.

I'm looking to take about 30lbs of honey off the hive this week. I'm just about to pop out to see if it is ready for harvesting. I already have a good 20lbs sitting in tubs so it looks like a good year from my side. I'll let you all know what it tastes like!

Will's passenger - Granddad

Yes, Amen to that - never any worries.
Thanks Will for the ride, Who would have thought in your LW days that you would be driving your OWN car down Thame High Street. Well done says Granddad.

If you want a passenger Steve Count me in. I quite fancy a ride to the seaside in a Landy!!

Now there's a funny thing. I was in my Solicitor's office (Richard Horth who is also a Catenian) yesterday (following Mum's Death I was re-drafting my Will) and we got talking, as you do, and the name of my old boss Ian Watson, came up.
Many years ago on a Burns Night, Mum and I were invited to Ian's house in Tiddington for a wee dram and a haggis supper. Mum had just come out of hospital in Oxford after her heart attack, which was subsequently traced to her thyroid problems and she was talking twenty to the dozen, which was not like her. We enjoyed their company and had a good evening.
Anyway back to my visit to Richard, my Solicitor and it turns out the Ian and his wife Shirley are great friends of Richard Horth and his wife Ann, and live in Hinton in the Hedges, not more than three miles from here and a few hundred yards behind Steve's bungalow in Charlton.
When I got back home the phone was ringing and it WAS !an, after all these years, inviting me to visit him and Shirley for lunch one day. Talk about coincidences that was ONE Granddad

Thanks Will

for taxiing me and Granddad up to Thame Show on Saturday.
Unfortunately the presence of the old Lloyds Bank, Nat West Caravans is now a mere distant memory so we were slightly short on cash after being fleeced of the initial £35 to get in!
We cobbled together enough for a beer and burger though and saw a display of ancient tractors baling straw 

Will thought we ought to have all been wearing safety specs hard hats and safety boots, and I did recall a few nasty accidents from those days of arms being lopped off... perhaps this HSE stuff is not such a bad idea after all.

Seaside on Saturday?

I'm off to Honiton on early Saturday to collect a set of Michelins for the Land Rover, possibly calling at Wantage for coffee (hint hint) with visit to the Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford followed by a paddle at

Any takers?