Preparing the roses for delivery to Valentines
Colston's Got Talent
I really enjoyed the talent show (more cathartic than watching Bristol's miserable defeat at the hands of Newcastle in the Guinness Premiership) - I am amazed at the bottle that youngsters have in such situations and not only was I impressed by the talent of the contestants but also by everyone involved: host, judges, lighting and sound technicians, everyone else involved in staging such an event, and the audience who were very supportive and appreciative.
Half term was spent in a cottage in Devon. I can't believe I know so little of this part of the country which is so near to home and yet has great appeal. This format of holidays is also quite new to us and is a very good substitute for motor homes which we had for the best part of 20 years. I never thought we would find a cottage as grand as the one we rented at Azay-sur-Cher in the Loire, or as comfortable as Forest Cottage near to Killerton (also in Devon).
Forest Cottage in its quite magical setting in the middle of a forest
Blueball Barn at Colaton Raleigh is much nicer on the inside than this external view presents
I have always thought that seaside resorts in England were rather shabby (especially out of season) but Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth and Exmouth, which we visited this time, and Lyme Regis where we spent a day in September were all flourishing and well maintained and we enjoyed our visit to them all during our sojourn.
Sidmouth
The botanical gardens at Bicton Park, near Colaton Raleigh (where our cottage was) as it's website claims has enjoyment for everyone and with the exceptionally pleasant February weather we were able to take full advantage of all the amenities, including a picnic alfresco (I suppose all picnics are alfresco).
Who enjoyed this ride most?
Flowers in bloom every day of the year at Bicton Park
Snow drops everywhere
More strenuous was the walk along the banks of the River Otter to Otterton - not a difficult walk in itself but little people's transportation paraphenalia posed some problems. Disappointed not to see a kingfisher as this looked to be very suitable surroundings.
The docile River Otter had clearly been in flood not long before
No kingfishers but robins two-a-penny
Made very little progress with "The Northern Clemency" by Philip Hensher, which looks very promising, as the young fellow residents were all consuming and quite demanding. Managed to follow the Third Test in the West Indies through the newspapers but read very little else and saw no television nor listened to the radio - but we all listened to music from Wendy's iPod which features loads of Fairport Convention or anyone who has appeared with them over the years (all very enjoyable though) and some interesting modern stuff. Thankfully the cricketers restored some pride to English cricket which has taken such a battering in recent times. I am not at all disappointed by the demise of the Stanford empire - I always felt the Twenty20 for $20 million was obscene. I didn't feel the administrators dealt very well with the Pietersen/Moores affair and, although I understand that they were frightened of losing players to the Indian Leagues, I felt they jumped into bed with Stanford too quickly. Mentioning pride in English sport, I thought England performed more creditably at rugby than I feared they would against Wales. I do feel that they are being over zealously refereed (but I must confess to always being blinkered on this topic).
Some great wines during the week, notably a Cabernet Sauvignon from the Languedoc called "Paul Mas" (so smooth) a Merlot from Chile (Errazuriz Max Reserva), Montana Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from NZ and a Fleurie and Chiroubles from Georges DuBoeuf in Beaujolais - all to accompany all sorts of lovely dishes as usual from Wendy. Had to abandon rhubarb and custard as we had found some lovely goats milk cheeses from France.
The only dull day was spent on a most delightful trip to Becky Falls (on the edge of Dartmoor) to visit our friend Martin (who is a Bristolian yet supports Bath Rugby - perhaps the Pope isn't Catholic after all - but who can be excused because he has such excellent taste in wines and can claim asylum on residency grounds), who was having a similar cottage holiday with some of his family. His charming grandaughter was an excellent guide around the Woodland Park and entertained and enthralled my young friend admirably both in the park and at lunch in the very welcoming Old Inn at Widecombe-In-The-Moor (the pub with no draught beer!). Lunch seemed quite frenetic but we all enjoyed the company young and old(er).
Glorious weather again on the last day. Sitting drinking hot chocolate on wooden bench big friend said if you closed your eyes you would think you were on a ski holiday - couldn't agree more as our legs felt heavy from walking and it was as if we had ski boots on, and the sun felt like mountain sun.
Coming home was so disappointing as the dining room floor, which was being fitted with a new wooden floor in our absence, wasn't acceptably fitted and the house lay under several millimetres of dust. Where would we be without some sort of stress?
Saw Man Utd scrape another win. I have always wondered who all that shouting and screaming of coaches on touchlines was for: the team, themselves or is it just a spectator sport? Reminded so much of la Fontaine's fable of "Le Coche et la Mouche" (English translation). Recording of "Damages" was much better viewing than the football - only one day to go now to see the next part.
Last minute homework on saxophone - getting to grips with first arpeggio - G major scale.
Good weather continues which tempts me out for first game of golf this year. Golf course in very good condition. I can still hit the ball but in trouble as usual on the 7th.
No comments:
Post a Comment