A Nice Walk

with the U3a group

Waiting for two more

Waiting for the others to catch up

Broad beans and rape growing together

it's enough to drive the landowner to their wit's end!

How cute is this little family

note the one yellow chick

The weather was just right, warm but not hot, and dry.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Wallingford

Wallingford is a historic market town on the river Thames in South Oxfordshire. M and I enjoyed a nice day trip with our U3a group. 

Wallingford developed around an important crossing point of the river Thames. There is evidence of Roman activity in the area, and the surrender of Stigand, an Anglo-Saxon churchman who became Archbishop of Canterbury, to William the Conqueror in 1066, led to William taking the throne and the creation of Wallingford Castle. 

It was once a great medieval building but now just a few walls remain. The castle and the town enjoyed royal status and flourished for much of the Middle Ages. The town then entered a period of decline after the arrival of the Black Death and falling out of favour with the Tudor monarchs, before being called on once again during the English Civil War. Wallingford held out as the last remaining Royalist stronghold in Berkshire before surrendering after a 16-week siege. Fearing that Wallingford Castle could be used in a future uprising, Oliver Cromwell ordered its destruction.

The grounds are very nice

I don't know if this little outcrop was significant

or the tiny doors

Although it was a small town, it once had 14 churches! which seems a tad excessive

now there are just three.

I'm a huge fan of the TV series Midsomer Murders. Wallingford was used as the fictitious town of Causton in the show. The Market Place, the Town Hall, the Corn Exchange, Wallingford Bridge, and some shops have all appeared in various episodes. As well as locations Wallingford also provided some cast too. Members of the Sinodun Players, Wallingford's amateur dramatics group have taken part as supporting artists in crowd scenes, and the Parish Choir has featured in three episodes. 

Without doubt Wallingford's most famous resident was Agatha Christie. In 1934, she and her new husband Max Mallowan purchased Winterbrook House, a substantial 18th century property, with seven acres of land sweeping down to the river Thames.

It became their home base for the rest of their lives  together, until Agatha passed away there peacefully in 1976.

Well Agatha, we've had a lovely day and the weather has been good.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult

and Jennifer Finney Boylan
   

Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life - living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher - was upended when her husband revealed a darker side to his character. She never imagined she would end up back in Adams, her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business.

Lily Campanello is also familiar with starting over. When she and her mom relocate to the same town they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for Lily, and Lily can’t help but fall for him too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can trust him completely.

Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realises he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.

I enjoyed this but it is sad.
   

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

Aussie Mother's Day

These flowers arrived today from my darling Aussie daughter and her partner.

They are beautiful and the stocks smell divine.

And inside the box are scrumptious marbled ruby and white chocolate blondies

😋

   

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Feeling Sorry For Myself

Well dear reader I am bruised and battered after a nasty fall yesterday. I misjudged a kerb and all ten stone of me slammed down onto the pavement. A lovely young lady came to my rescue and stayed with me until my daughter arrived. The first thing I thought was "I've broken my glasses, that's £300 to replace them"! The left  side of my face took the brunt of the fall and it is a mess. My eye socket is full of blood and around the eye is a kaleidoscope of red blue and purple. My cheek and chin are also bruised. Our wonderful NHS took good care of me with a CT scan which thankfully confirmed nothing is broken. The bruising will go, I have some cream to prevent infection and the eye clinic said the blood will disperse in about two weeks. My arms and legs are aching as well.

It wasn't too bad at first but then I woke up to this.

My daughter said I shouldn't worry about it being an age related fall, it was an accident, and she is right. I didn't feel dizzy or disoriented beforehand, it was just a clumsy accident.

oOo

On a lighter note, last Thursday my U3a group marked the VE day 80th anniversary with a visit from none other than Sir Winston Churchill, as portrayed by Tony Harris.

He told us all about Churchill's life. He's very good.

The hall was packed

The sandwiches and cakes were plentiful and delicious.

∼ Be safe and well, particularly safe∼ 

Polly x 

VE Celebration

On Monday, to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day we had a wonderful celebration in our village hall. 

One of our village committee ladies made these lovely posters for outside the hall. The afternoon teas were sold out but people could still come along to

enjoy a drink at the bar and to hear our wonderful singer.

The hall was decorated

The tables looked lovely with pretty flowers, flags

and these cute aeroplanes which the children enjoyed playing with

They also had these goodie bags containing a toy, sweets, a poppy,

a Tunnocks tea cake, and a flag to colour.

Time for a cuppa before our guests arrived

We serving girls did an excellent job.

I'm the one not blurred out!

The stage was set

for our wonderful singer Beverley

Paintings by our talented Art Group organiser

there was lots of memorabilia

Great food, great company and great entertainment, everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x