Another pretty inconsequential week. Not much happened, not much happening. Hey ho.
I mentioned last time that we were off to the Hatton Arms to meet up with Nick, Lucy and Annabelle for Mothering Sunday. And it was great – thank you very much you three! The meal was good, the atmosphere was convivial, the service was good and the place was packed! It’s clear that a lot of mothers get treated to lunch on Mothering Sunday. Too bad it only comes round once a year.
Progress on the virtual bike ride along the Underground Railway Freedom Trail continues. I’m just over half way through, just about to complete the section from Ripley, Ohio to Williamsburg, OH. 1550 Km down, a mere 1500 Km to go (964 miles with 876 miles remaining). Keep pedalling.
It seems as if we’ve been on the cusp of Spring for some time but I think it finally arrived this week. Although the weather hasn’t been great, the early blossom is on the trees and the daffodils are well and truly out and majestic. All of which means that hay fever season is about to begin (for me, anyway) and, if I am honest, the lawns are already looking as if they could do with their first mow of the season. Way, way, way too early! Having said that, the contractors who mow the village greens and playing field have already carried out their first mow of the season. I think the early start to the season is something to do with this climate change thing I’ve heard so much about. Just a hunch, mind.
STOP PRESS: The lawns did indeed get their first mow of the season yesterday. And not just because our resident gardener instructed me to do so. The weather was lovely and the forecast for the week ahead is not great. So, there you are – it starts earlier and earlier every year.
Congratulations to our Max this week – on Friday he received an award at school for good work on his handwriting.
We’re super proud of him!
We had the campervan MOTed and serviced this week, ready for some Spring and Summer adventures. We have a “big” expedition to France planned for the summer so we thought it might be handy to get a few “practice” runs in beforehand. We’re hoping to go to the Lake District in mid-April for about four days (weather dependent). And then, to avoid a bout of Vomitus in conspectu Regis we have arranged to go to the south coast for the weekend of 5 – 7 May. Most of you will know that is the weekend of the King’s coronation so it was important to find some sort of distraction. A huge waste of money and a huge waste of everyone’s time.
Which leads us to this week’s YCNMIU moment.
The Operation Golden Orb committee, which is planning the [King’s coronation] ceremony, reportedly estimated that King Charles III’s Coronation to cost £100 million, although this hasn’t been confirmed.
Meanwhile, the ceremony for Queen Elizabeth II is estimated to have cost a total of £1.57 million, the equivalent of £46million today.
The Mirror
And this after King Charles announced his intention to have a scaled-down ceremony, in sympathy for all those struggling during the current cost of living crisis. YCNMIU.
Big news of the week – on Friday Ms Playchute took possession of her new hearing aids – she now hears better than I do! They are very discrete – you really would not know she was wearing anything – and very effective. I now have to stop myself muttering obscenities and rude comments under my breath – she can hear me from two rooms away!
Meanwhile, keep happy, keep smiling, be careful, wear a f**king facemask in crowded places and keep your distance. And keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg