Stuck on the M1 travelling to my brothers. Not my favorite place in the world, when are they going to invent the tleporter.
Why the M1 does not get included in lists of great places to visit
Category: Miscellany
More travelling….
Well we’re on the road again. Pootling up a busy M1 to visit Neils family oop Norf. Looking forward to a fun weekend with the diddleys and it is pure coincidence that there happens to be a beer festival in the vicinity. As an aside, allow me a momentary rant if you will; we have just followed a car through MK where the driver in addition to the passenger spent most of the journey peering into the backseat and gurgling at his offspring. How is that different to being distracted by a mobile phone? Perhaps some sort of blinkers could be applied? PS don’t blame Neil for this one, this is all Hel
Mad dogs & Englishmen….
Looked at kitchens, then back to the Grand Prix. A hot afternoon, but whilst Helen decided to cuprinol the shed (does what it says on the tin!) , I felt the need for some gentle exercise so cycled to the reservoirs to see the black terns. Saw a modern take on a canal boat, a nautical grand design perhaps?
Veggies are us!
Off to the vegetarian restaurant in Tring on Saturday night with Rosie & Ian. Surprised them with the unexpected attendance of Helen & Nik. Good vegetarian food. Lots of choice, which takes some getting used to as a long time veggie. Ian avoided the goats chesse/mushroom combo. Can recommend the risotto, polenta & the chocolate sandwich pudding. Rosie had some lovely cheeses to finish. Good local beer – Ridgeway Rob Ale from Oxfordshire. Thanks for the life home, Rosie & Ian
London
Forgot to blog that we went to London on Friday for Helen’s birthday treat. Did a bit of culture at the John Waterhouse pre-Raphelite retrospective at the Royal Academy. Followed by a potter round the Press Photographer exhibition at the National Theatre. Got rained on en route but it was warm and we were entertained by a swing band on the promenade by the Thames. Then off to Sicilian Avenue for a Italian lunch, Foyles, then a flying visit to Tottenham Court Road & home.
PS. Saw these folks on the way back to the station. Helen reckons it’s a somewhat worrying indication of the state of the British banking system!
Bored on the A40
Well we are off to Tess + Roger’s wedding. Congratulations guys. Unfortunately that involves a rather slow journey down the A40 in the rain. We keep being passed by the same cyclists when the traffic lights change. Our previous feelings of sympathy for their damp plight have been replaced by those of envy as they are actually getting somewhere. Anyway that’s enough about the weather, let’s discuss mobile communication devices.
Helen says she does not need a new mobile phone, yet often in the car the complaint is she would like to be able to browse the Internet, something that her wind up phone does not do. There appear to be two front runners; the I Phone or an Android phone [ed. I dunno the difference TBH – Helen]. The I Phone scores for its slick UI, I Tunes capabilities and Apple design. On the other hand, the Android has a slide out full keyboard, is open source and backed by Google. Decisions, decisions, guess its up to Helen. Might be good if she turns the bloody thing on too.
Millhoppers
There is a local nature reserve near where I live called Millhoppers. It is owned by the Butteryfly Conservation society. I went out for a spin on the bike this afternoon and spend a little while taking in the nature there.
Whilst I sat contemplating I saw at least 3 (possibly 4) wrens, they were hunting for food, flying from tree to tree to flower stalk. The wren is the most populous bird in the UK and I guess it is not unexpected that I would see so many in such a small patch.
Also saw plenty of butterflies including common blue, they get Holly Blue’s in spring.
Here is a link to the website.
Happy Birthday
We are far too well mannered to give a lady’s age on this blog so we will just say many happy returns to the birthday girl. We are also managing to resist the temptation to comment on a certain Aunties hairdo
Foraging
Decided to try a bit of foraging as there is so much about. Been down to the bypass on the bikes. Someone has been there already but several cherry trees with lots of fruit, and should be more next week too by the looks of it. Got two Tupperware boxes (1.2 kilos) and are just discussing the merits of jam versus schnapps. Might do jam this week and go back next for more for schnapps. Bit dicey getting down to the trees as on a very steep slope in the undergrowth, both have lots of nettle stings now but worth it. Looks like there will be apples too later in the year, so Neil will have to keep a look out. Why don’t councils plant more fruit trees about the place so everyone can have a chance to pick their own for free?
Geoff wants to be famous
Down the Kings Head with Geoff he told us all about a new circuity he has created to recharge batteries but also know when to stop charging, or stop using said batteries.
You can buy them on ebay see this link.