What a great week it’s been! Some very pleasantly decent weather – largely sunny with reasonable temperatures – a garden club outing as well as a musical interlude and, today, birthdays galore! As usual, I’m not sure I can stand the pace. Thankfully, the hammock has been erected in its summer place in the orchard and, I can assure you, it is still as comfortable as ever.
Last Sunday, as I wrote, we took ourselves off to Warwick Arts Centre to see (and hear) Jools Holland in concert. We’ve seen him and his band many times in the past and have always had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Sunday evening was no exception – a great show with some excellent foot-tapping music. I’m almost ashamed to admit it but there was also some actual “dancing.” Well, some shuffling on our feet, at least. A really enjoyable evening – thanks to Nick and Lucy!
On Thursday afternoon we had the first Moreton Pinkney Garden Club outing of the season, an excursion to see the garden and parkland of Edgcote House. Most of you will know, we’ve walked various dogs (and ourselves) around the Edgcote estate many, many times – it was always one of our “go to” walks when we lived in Byfield and is still within easy reach of Moreton Pinkney. So, we are familiar with the estate in general but we’ve never seen around the back of the house and this outing was a real treat. We were aware that there was a lake at the back but we had no idea of the extent of the gardens and parkland behind. Glorious. A few photos to share, some of which I have to admit are not mine.
With the fine weather I’ve been out on the road on a couple of occasions – a bit breezy at times but thoroughly enjoyable. And, yesterday I completed my virtual cycle ride along the route of the Underground Railroad from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound, Ontario. 126 days of cycling with an average of just over 23 km per day, a total of a mere 2,984 km (1,854 miles). Whew! I should now be thinking about a little rest and recuperation before contemplating my next expedition. However, when I started the Underground Railroad route my brother Steph very kindly invited me to continue riding from Owen Sound to his wife’s family’s summer property on Ahmic Lake. Another 300 km to go! Thanks, Steph! There had better be a very large pitcher of Pimms or similar when I finally get there.
Birthdays galore today, most importantly, of course, Jessie turns 7 today and we’re going over tomorrow to participate in her birthday gathering. Today is also, of course, the birthday of the gloriously gorgeous Ms Playchute who turns just a little bit older than Jessie and, as it happens, it’s also the birthday of our lovely neighbour Jean. Many happy, happy returns to you all!
As way of celebration, we are off to the circus this afternoon, courtesy of Nick and Lucy. Should be a fun day out (thankfully, circuses no longer use animals as entertainment just lots of wacky people doing wacky things). I am ready to volunteer to be the one who stands in front of the target for the knife-throwing act but if they are throwing axes I might have to decline.
YCNMIU
The ongoing saga of the privatised water companies dumping shit in rivers and streams as well as all along the coast continues. But, the outcry has become so vociferous that, while the government continues to sit on its hands and do nothing, the water companies themselves have realised that this is not a particularly good look. So, they have promised to invest billions by the end of the decade to deal with the problem. So far, so good. But, does that mean that they will be investing some of the billions they normally hand to shareholders to deal with the problem? Oh, no. That’s not what they meant at all – the whole cost of the project will be financed by higher bills for consumers.
Companies promised a tripling of investment this decade to £10bn to cut sewage spills, upgrade treatment plants and build new storage facilities. But the plan was criticised by campaigners after Water UK admitted the entire cost of the project would ultimately be borne by customers.
The Guardian
Quelle merde!
And finally, a few photos of the garden and the surrounding countryside on some sunny days. And, the annual photo of the Laburnum and the Hawthorn (May Tree) in bright, contrasting bloom. You should hear the bees working the laburnum flowers.
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