As promised yesterday, a bumper edition of the blog today. Blogger is still not happy uploading photographs directly, so I have had to upload these via Picasa (which - frustratingly -uses the same upload engine as Blogger...).
Anyway, enough technical detail… Yesterday was very wet and windy, so not much photographically of interest - out with Bella, saw this tag-on-a-tag by the old toilets I have meant to photograph for a while. I don't know if the planning application for them to become a piano rehearsal room was approved - listen out for "Chopsticks":-)!
After a morning inside, we had an exciting trip out to Kingswood via Warmley, where we saw this old painted sign.
Our destination. We went in (successful) search of a groundsheet for our awning for the camper van before next week's camping expedition.
The shop is very well stocked, and has everything - even the kitchen sink!
Coming home, passed this van which was at our neighbours - interesting to see that, in the ever-changing world of corporate dynamics, Dyno-Rod is now part of British Gas.
There was some storm damage - lots of leaves and some branches on the road - and this fence panel had completely disintegrated. Luckily, our well-braced ones survived OK.
Last night we went to the Little Theatre to see "The Angels' Share" with Q&A from Ken Loach afterwards. It was a most satisfying and enjoyable film, which Ken himself described afterwards as a fable. Here he is in all his self-effacing glory.
Afterwards, we went for a stroll down to Southgate, where we saw this excellent sculpture for the Olympics. It is the torso of Mark Foster, the swimmer.
And another entrant for the abandoned item of footwear category.
The back of the statue, making the swimming reference directly.
We were looking for, and found, St James' Parade where there is a new Chinese restaurant called Hoi Faan. They do dim sum, so we had to try a few. These "goldfish" were tasty. Our favourite was the king prawn and mango roll. Not bad at all, but Dynasty in Bristol still win out. Nice though, to have dim sum within walking distance!
On June 8th last year, Guy Greaves was still with us and regaling us with his bottomless supply of stories. He treated us to a slap-up feast at Jamie Oliver's (always a treat).
Today has started with blue skies and no rain! In the garden before taking Bella out this morning, everything looked fresh and newly rinsed, like these mixed astrantias, which really like to stay damp.
Geraniums poking through.
The PlantSu has christened "not-gunnera" (we can't remember its name, but it likes the damp and resembles gunnera as well. This is the most fulsome we've ever seen it.
This was the garden a little later, when the sun had properly come out - at last.
The blackberry flowers are coming into their own now as well.
After walking Bella and picking up the paper, I went shopping in Larkhall, Julian Road, the Farmers' Market and Sainsburys - that's enough for one day! Driving through Bath offered some photo opportunities - this church on the South West corner of Queens Square always strikes me as very impressive.
This is the outside of Green Park station (which the Farmers' Market is in) with Bath's version of "Boris bikes" outside.
The day brightened up to the point where I started shedding layers of clothing - you might almost believe it is Summer. Took Bella up to Brockham End (past the golf course) for the first time since we got back from Greece, and it was lovely. The light in the woods was great.
Thistle starting to reveal itself.
The Royalist battle marker against a blue sky.
The Fire Training establishment with microwave tower.
This day a year ago, Guy Greaves left us to carry on his travels. He was due for Paignton but nearly got on the Paddington platform (going the opposite direction. Sad to see him go - we must get to Canadia before too long - maybe as part of a world tour!
Tonight we continue our unusually full social calendar with a Flamenco concert at Chapel Arts in Bath, as part of the Music Festival Fringe. Looking forward to it - report tomorrow!
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