A mind to murder by PD James

A mind to murder by PD James (1963) an interesting unexpected ending. The victim was a Guide Captain.
(The second book in the Inspector Adam Dalgliesh series)

When the administrative head of the Steen Psychiatric Clinic is found dead with a chisel in her heart, Superintendent Adam Dalgliesh of Scotland Yard is called in to investigate. Dalgliesh must analyze the deep-seated anxieties and thwarted desires of patients and staff alike to determine which of their unresolved conflicts resulted in murder.

With "discernment, depth, and craftsmanship," wrote the Chicago Daily News, A Mind to Murder "is a superbly satisfying mystery."

May 2010

Scrooge and the widow of Pewsey by Anne Moore

Scrooge and the widow of Pewsey by Anne Moore (2002). A Sequel to A Christmas Carol.

A fascinating sequel to Charles Dickens's classic tale, A Christmas Carol. Mrs Kincaid is a handsome widow who lives in the Vale of Pewsey. She persuades Scrooge that, if he is to achieve peace of mind in his remaining years, he must use his surplus wealth to support worthwhile causes. But will Scrooge ever be able to part with the money which he has hoarded so fiercely? And if he asks the wodow to marry him, will she agree?

May 2010

Brownies takeover the Library

On Friday night at 7pm i headed to the library, for a Brownie Sleepover.  During the Centenary Brownies have been challenged to Takeover somewhere, we asked the Library if we could sleep there and they were most enthusiastic.
We started doing a quiz, and then worked on a pack prepared for us to do the book lovers badge.  Then about 9.30pm we got our beds ready, got ready for bed and settled on a bedtime story read by Alison, it was a Mr Gum book and was the longest bedtime story every, it finished just before midnight, it went on and on and on, bless her, lol.
Then they settled down to sleep........... eventually they settled about 1.30am, only after i got up and sat in the middle of them till they quietened down.
It was a most uncormfortable night, the floor was so so hard.
The come morning i had to wake them up about 6.30am, we had rice krispies and fruit had a brownie ring and presented Brownie Takeover Badges then parents collected them about 8am.  Altogether it went very fast and was a successful event.
Brownies takeover the Library
It was the night in the Library
With nothing in sight
No Animals stirring
And no spiders to fight

When all of a sudden
Came a sound of a whir
And out of the shadows
A Brownie did stir

One after another
More crept in the night
To be followed by leaders
Who kept them in sight

They looked at the books
As they crept in the door
And then, all together
Went to sleep on the floor

By Bob Davies April 2010

April 2010

Passion Play

Last night at Time Out Veronica Welham gave a talk and presentation of the Passion Play at Oberammergau on the German/Bavarian Border, she attended in September i found it very interesting, i would dearly love to attend.
Passion Play Oberammergau

A play of life and death, promised in a moment of mortal threat - so began the history of the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and death from the plague, the Oberammergauers swore an oath that they would perform the "Play of the Suffering, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ" every ten years. At Pentecost 1634, they fulfilled their pledge for the first time on a stage they put up in the cemetery above the fresh graves of the plague victims. In the year 2010, the Community of Oberammergau will perform the Passion Play, they have preserved throughout the centuries with singular continuity, for the 41th time.
http://www.passionplay-oberammergau.com/

During the meeting i got talking to Janet Brown who told me there is a Passion Play every Good Friday in Leicester my home town, she had attended and it was brilliant, her son was in it last year and hopes to be in next year.

Passion Play -Leicester

Christ in the Centre is a major open-air recreation of the Easter story and has been held in the centre of Leicester every Good Friday since 2003.
It regularly attracts audiences approaching 10,000 people, making it the largest such event in the country, and a major piece of Christian outreach.
Its success has attracted the attention of many other cities, and spawned spin-off events in many locations across the country.
The first Leicester event was in 2003, organised through Churches Together in Leicester City Centre (CTLCC), a group of City Churches, together with the Leicester Market Traders, and included a re-enactment of the arrest, trial, mocking and crucifixion of Jesus by SWORD , the Christian drama company based at St. Wilfrid’s Church in Kibworth.
It took place in Leicester City outside the Town Hall, with Jesus dragging a cross along Gallowtree Gate before finally ending at the Market Place for the crucifixion scene.  The drama was followed by a time of worship and a short address by the Bishop of Leicester.  That first event attracted an audience of over 3,000.
The event now regularly attracts an audience approaching 10,000 people, and a significant infrastructure in terms of staging and amplification.

http://citc.dioceseofleicester.com/

Remembrance Sunday

Today i went to church for 9.30am then onto United Services Club to take part with the Brownies in Remembrance Day Parade, the brownies were very good, and the weather was perfect.

Persona

Last night i attended the Tobias Nicholls writing/production Persona all on my own.  It was a slow first half as it set the scene the second half was a lot better, full of twists and turns.
The story takes place in and around Purple Dreams, a safe haven for runaways, where club owner Bob Drake offers work, a new identity and the chance of a new life. The arrival of a vengeful young man, however, soon threatens to expose the many secrets held within the club - a threat that drives someone to murder.

‘Persona’ is a stylish modern day ‘whodunnit’, with a splash of dark comedy, written and directed by award winning playwright Tobias Nicholls and starring a talented and experienced cast.

We Build a shop!

Tuesday 20th October

After a busy hectic week, came another hard day.

Today is Calendar Club Build for 2010, we left home about 6.30am for the arrival of the Lorrrys arrival at 7am.

It was a long hard day building the shop but we completed it in more of less 1 day and got home abou8t 6pm.

On Wednesday we opened at 9.45am, we broke all records for opening.


Me and Bob left Jen and Andy to it at about lunchtime.

We're moving out today!

12th October 2010
Been busy and been offline so got some catch up to do.
Tuesday 12th October arrived and well before the alarm sounded up we got and had breakfast, then i went up to our new home with the cat and kitchen stuff.
Flat is looking really nice, so here goes with the move.
We elected to move and save money by doing the move ourself, Kevin, Andy and Jen helped.  Andy worked really hard bless him.
Mum came and helped me.
Everything went according to plan. Mum left about mid afternoon, the major problem was the main wardrobes, they wouldn't fit in the car, so were carried up on the sack barrow, they were extremely heavy, then half way upstairs, couldn't get them up or down, and we got stuck, Bob jumped down about 8ft, to help get the wardrobe down, they eventually got it down, and found out to could be taken apart in three pieces, so it would have fit in the car, at least the problem was solved.
Then disaster of disaster the car got a flat battery, Steven came with his car to help.

A complete nightmare of a day.
We eventually got a bed to lie in at about 9-10pm.

Jacksons 1938-2008

On Saturday 25th of October 2008, Jacksons the shoe people celebrated 70 years in business by having a day of 1940's memorabilia and nostalgia.
The customers were treated to a glass of ginger beer, cake and some old fashioned sweets and 1940's music. Jowett Flying Fix named 'PLUG' was parked outside, kindly loaned for the day by Stuart Grant, drawing lots of admiring glances from passers by.

Kira spent the day as a shoe shine boy.

Me and Debbie and staff were dressed in 1940's costume and Kira provided an authentic shoe shine service and raised £55.87 for Children in Need.
We had a prize draw for anyone born in 1938 and they won a visit to our chiropodist and a pair of shoes upto £50.

Time out - Al-anon

Last night we had a Time Out Meeting, it was a talk by Al-anon

Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking. We believe alcoholism affects the whole family, not just the drinker. We are an international organisation with over 800 support groups in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience in order to solve their common problems.

http://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/

It was an interesting and informative meeting.

Harvest Supper

Had a busy day at work and left work at 4pm, Eve collected me, and we went to the church to set up the projector that we borrowed to my laptop for the Harvest Supper tonight, of course nothing goes as planned and the presentation kept freezing, eventually i rang up Bob to pop in then of course it seemed to sort itself out, but Bob came and helped sort out sound and position and then left.
The Harvest Supper started at 6pm, we started off with the presentation, and it only froze once, so it wasn't too bad. We had all taken some food for a shared supper, and there was loads of food.  We had our supper it was a lovely spread.
Then we sang a few Harvest songs.
Then finished with an auction auctioning all the food bought for yesterdays Harvest Festival, it was great fun, such a laugh, David Crowson was the auctioneer, and he was a laugh.
All the money raised was to go to BMS Mission.
It was a great evening, thoroughly enjoyed it, the only thing to mar it was Bob wasn't there, he would run a mile rather than spend time with me.
I left about 8.30pm, head throbbing, absolutely shattered, i had been out of the house for 12 hours solid.

New Youth Group

16th May 2010

Sue and Sandy Richardson from The Way Church have formed a Youth Group that will meet at The Mustard Seed on Sundays between 3 and 5pm, I thought Charlotte will be interested so told her about it, she decided to go if i went, so we had an enjoyable afternoon with cake, games and a Godspot.

1st Hunstanton Scouts and Guides

In 1988 i joined the 1st Hunstanton Scouts and Guides, as a parent rep, this led on me to being secretary, when i first agreed to become secretary i visited the present secretary Margaret Allchorn at her house for a meeting, imagine my shock to be introduced to the chairman who was Amy Reynolds my old DS (Domestic Science)school teacher who scared me to death.
However,because of the pressure of the old school of we don't do it like that i left in 1990, as i was also pregant as well.
In 1991 i returned to the movement as an Assistant Brownie Leader, but because of lack of committee members i ended up on the committee of 1st Hunstanton Scouts and Guides once again in about 1995 as Secretary.
In this time I took part in fundraising etc, as time went on there became less and less committee, and the burden of looking after HQ and Fundraising increasingly fell on Susanne and Myself.
Due to lack of committee and desperation Bob became the Treasurer in 2002.
Eventually it became more and more difficult and we felt increasingly that new blood was needed.
In May 2010 Susanne, Bob and Myself came off the committee.

My Guiding Life

I joined Girlguiding Norfolk as as Assistant Brownie Guider with 1st Hunstanton Brownies on 22nd January 1991 until 28th October 2002.

Then because the Guide Leader retired 1st Hunstanton Guides was in threat of closure so i took the plunge and decided to take it on, this position ran from 28th October 2002 - 11th September 2006.
In 2006 i took my Sleepover License.
Then in 2006 Brownie Guider Susanne Durston decided to retire, i had not been happy at Guides for a while, and felt most strongly that the Brownie age was the age i was most suited to, and if there was no Brownie Unit, eventually Guides would fold as there would be no Brownies to feed from.  So on 11th September 2006, i took on the role of Brownie Guider.
In 2007 i took the plunge and did something i said i never would i took my Pack Holiday License, if i didn't it meant the Brownies wouldn't be able to go on Pack Holiday, this made my the only person with a Pack Holiday License in the District.
Also in 2007 I was CRB'd (Criminal Records Bureau checked).
Due to 1st and 3rd Hunstanton Brownies numbers dropping and i had been with 1st Hunstanton Brownies on my own for a while and sometimes it was difficult, in 2009 we decided to join forces and meet at the Union Church (3rd Hunstanton Brownies Meeting Place), this has worked really well, although we are keeping our seperate identities, for historical reasons and if numbers start increasing, it would be easier to split than start a new unit.
In 2007 i became North West Norfolk Division Public Relations Advisor, eventually becoming Norfolk County PR on the 1st January 2008, due to travelling and family and work commitments i was forced to give it up in March 2010.
In 2008 i became Norfolk Website Administrator, for the moment this role is ongoing.
From approx 1989 i was the secretary of 1st Hunstanton Scouts and Guides until i resigned in May 2010.
Jenny joined Brownies in 1987, as a Brownie, became a Guide then a Pack Leader with 1st Hunstanton Rainbows, then a Young Leader, then Assistant Rainbow Guider, now she is 1st Hunstanton Rainbow Guider.

Amy's 90th Birthday Party

It was supposed to be a surprise party but someone at church let the cat out of the bag last sunday.
I have known Amy Reynolds for about 35 years i suppose.  First as my DS (Domestic Science, Cookery, Home Economics) teacher at Hunstanton Secondary Modern School.  During my school years she scared me to death, she made me feel so inferior and lack of confidence.  Then i met her again about 25 years ago when i went on the committee of 1st Hunstanton Scouts and Guides, i have met up with her many times since during my Guiding duties.  Over the years she has mellowed.
The party was in a neighbours garden Kate Crossman, at 5 Astley Crescent.  Unfortunately, it tipped it down with rain all the time, typical bank holiday weather, we were in a marquee and had lovely food and drink, Amys family came over from Germany, America, Slovenia, as well as all over the UK, it was a pleasant couple of hours.

Water

It is recommend that you drink 2 litres a day (8 glasses) set out over the course of the day.  However, scientists say slightly differently in that, although your body needs 2 litres a day, a lot of it comes from the food you eat and metabolise.  To do the respiration equation - sugar and oxygen turns into carbon dioxide and water (although of course this is vastly oversimplified!). 

Basically, if you need to drink you become thirsty and want to.  However, you need to make sure you chose water over diuretic drinks like tea when you are thirsty - keep the tea for when you fancy something hot instead.  Drinking too much at once can wash out your kidneys so little and often!

As far as making it more interesting goes, robinsons special R is good and low cal.  You can also drink diet drinks, but recent research suggests that they actually stimulate your appetite and so should be avoided!  A good start to the day is a glass of warm water with lemon squeezed into it - it sets up your system for the day.

One of the best things about water is that it is a natural appetite suppressant and so next time you're hungry, try to have a glass of water!

Just remember - water is great, but don't beat yourself up about it if you can't get down the recommended amount - you don't actually need that much.

They're moving out today

24th August 2010

On the 17th August, Steven and Jude got the keys to their new house in Dersingham.

On the 19th August, the decorating materials were bought, the next few days we all worked hard to decorate the house.

Today the 24th August, we had a long day, moving Steven, Jude and Charlotte into their new home.



Absolutely shattered, but its done now, well worth it.

Foxton Locks History

Foxton Locks are ten canal locks consisting of two "staircases" each of five locks, located on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal about 5 km west of the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough and are named after the nearby village of Foxton.
They form the northern terminus of a 20-mile summit level that passes Husbands Bosworth, Crick and ends with the Watford flight
Staircase locks are used where a canal needs to climb a steep hill, and consist of a group of locks where each lock opens directly into the next, that is, where the bottom gates of one lock form the top gates of the next. Foxton Locks are the largest flight of such staircase locks on the English canal system.
The Grade II* listed locks are a popular tourist attraction and the county council has created a country park at the top. At the bottom, where the junction with the arm to Market Harborough is located, there are two public houses, a shop, trip boat and other facilities. The area is popular with gongoozlers.
Alongside the locks is the site of the Foxton Inclined Plane, an inclined plane built in 1900 as a solution to various operational restrictions imposed by the lock flight. It was not a commercial success and remained in full-time operation for only ten years. It was dismantled in 1926, but a project to re-create the Plane commenced in the 2000s, since the locks remain a bottleneck for boat traffic.

The locks

Panorama of the Upper Staircase

Building work on the locks started in 1810 and was finished 4 years later in 1814.^[1] Little changed until the building of the inclined plane resulted in the reduction in size of some of the side pounds.  While the inclined plane was in operation the locks were allowed to fall into decline to an extent and in 1908 the committee released £1,000 to bring the locks back into full (nightly) operation.
In 2008, the locks became part of the European Route of Industrial Heritage, a network which seeks to recognize the most important industrial heritage sites in Europe.
The locks are usually manned during the cruising season from Easter to October and padlocked outside operating hours. This is done to prevent water shortages due to misuse and to ensure a balance between those wishing to ascend and descend. There can be lengthy delays at busy times but the actual transit should take approximately 45 minutes to one hour to complete; it is made quicker by the fact that the locks are narrow beam and the gates are light.

Foxton Inclined Plane

The Inclined Plane from the observation post

By 1897, the Grand Junction Canal Company had acquired several of the canals comprising the Leicester line, and was keen to meet demand from carriers seeking to use wider beam (14 ft) craft, rather than the traditional narrow beam boats, which were the only type the locks could accommodate. Their solution was to build an inclined plane to the side of the locks. Initially, the company had planned for the plane to replace the locks, rather than having it act as a second, faster option. Construction began in 1898 and was finished by 10 July 1900.
The Plane was designed by Gordon Cale Thomas, after a large-scale prototype was built at the company's Bulbourne yard and he had assessed the 75 ft climb.^[3] It had two tanks, or caissons, each capable of holding two narrowboats or a barge. The caissons were full of water, and so balanced each other. The caissons' vertical guillotine gates created a watertight seal. The lift was powered by a 25 horsepower (19 kW) stationary steam engine. The land for the Plane was purchased for £1,595 and total expenses for the project came to £39,244 by 24 June 1900.
The inclined plane had a journey time of 12 minutes for two boats up and two down, compared with 1¼ hours through the old lock system,^[3] thereby improving the speed of passage up the hill tremendously. During a 12-hour day, 6,000 tons (6,100 tonnes) of cargo could pass through the upper and lower level. Unlike the locks, where water flowed downhill every time a boat passed through, on the inclined plane almost the same amount of water went up and down the hill. Only the displaced water is moved, thus saving a great deal of water and giving better control of this vital resource.
An initial problem with the plane was the stress on the tracks by the caissons. There was a plan to build a similar inclined plane at the Watford Locks at the southern end of the canal's summit level. However, this was never carried through (perhaps due to the low levels of traffic in the plane's first two years), and as the Watford Locks were never widened, the economic benefits of the plane could not be fully realised. The need to continually maintain a supply of steam for the plane's engine – in expectation of traffic – also proved to be a drain on finances. Thus, despite its obvious effectiveness, the Foxton Inclined Plane was mothballed in 1911 to save money. After that date it saw occasional use when the locks were undergoing maintenance.
In 1926, dismantling of the incline's machinery began, and it was sold for scrap in 1928 for a mere £250. That year the chimney on the engine house was demolished and its bricks used for various canal repairs.

The plane today

The remains of the plane can still be seen, and the site explored by visitors (to a limited extent).
The mooring bollards from the incline can be found alongside the locks.

Foxton Canal Museum

The Foxton Canal Museum is located in the former boiler house for the plane's steam engine. The museum covers the history of the locks and the plane, the lives of the canal workers, and other aspects of the local canal. There is also a collection of Measham pottery.
The museum opened in 1989 and is accredited by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.

Restoration

The (original) Inclined Plane under construction

The site of the Foxton Inclined Plane Boat Lift has been recognised as a Scheduled Ancient Monument and was on the Monuments at Risk Register. This recognition, together with the steady increase in leisure boating on British canals, means its restoration is now considered a key project in the development of the national waterway network.
The cost of full restoration has been estimated at £9 million (2006 figures), and is to be tackled in a series of stages.
Stage 1 of the project – the clearing of the site and restoration of the canal arms above and below the plane – was completed in 2008. A grant for £1.7 million was received from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards the £2.8 million cost of this first stage, and its successful completion resulted in the site being removed from the Monuments at Risk register.

History of Bradgate Park

Bradgate Park was one of a number of parks surrounding Charnwood Forest. The name Bradgate is thought to derive from Norse or Anglo-Saxon, meaning 'broad road' or 'broad gate' respectively.  In the reign of Edward the Confessor, the land was owned by Ulf, and it was awarded to Hugh de Grandmesnil in the eleventh century as reward for his assistance in battle to William I The land, which was primarily used for hunting, was subsequently acquired by the Beaumont family, passing to the de Quincy family and on to William de Ferrers of Groby. It remained in the de Ferrers family until 1445, when it passed to the Grey family after William's only surviving daughter married Edward Grey. The inquisition into the estates of de Ferrers, made after his death, mentions the park, with "herbage, pannage and underwood, worth 40 shillings yearly".^[3] Edward's son Sir John Grey of Groby married Elizabeth Woodville, who after John's death married King Edward IV; Their son Thomas Grey began building Bradgate House in the late fifteenth century, one of the first unfortified great houses in England, and the ruins of the house are still visible at the centre of the park.  The house was approximately 200 feet long, featuring a main hall measuring 80 feet by 30 feet, and the chapel is still intact. The park was originally enclosed using vertical pales of oak, with dry-stone walls a later feature from the first half of the nineteenth century.^[2] The park includes several spinneys, which were planted in the early nineteenth century as coverts for shooting.

The house was the birthplace of Lady Jane Grey, later Queen, ruling for a mere 9 days before being overthrown by Mary I. A much later park landmark is the folly known as 'Old John' on the top of the highest hill in the park, built in 1784. The folly, built by the Greys, is a memorial to John, an estate worker killed in a bonfire accident during celebrations of the 21st birthday of the son of the Earl of Stamford, a member of the Grey family. Cropston Reservoir was constructed in the south-east corner of the park in 1860, submerging twelve farms and the Head Keeper's house. A number of pools were also constructed along the course of the River Lin through the park, to allow silt to settle before reaching the reservoir. In 1905 the estate was bequeathed on the death of the 7th Earl of Stamford's wife to the earl's niece, Mrs Arthur Duncombe.

In 1928, the park was bought from the heirs of the Greys by local businessman and British United Shoe Machinery founder Charles Bennion who gave it in perpetuity to the people of Leicestershire. Plaques on Old John and the main path through the park commemorate the gift. The nearby Swithland Wood was later bought by William Bastard and members of Leicester Rotary Club, who transferred it to the park's trustees. The park is now administered by the Bradgate Park and Swithland Wood Charitable Trust, with trustees nominated by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and the National Trust. A second, covered reservoir was added within the park in the early 1960s.

The ruins of Bradgate House

  Geology

Old John

The geology of the park is mainly Precambrian, and some of the earliest multicellular lifeforms are known from fossils discovered in the park in 1956 (Charnia masoni).

  Flora and fauna

The landscape is rocky moorland with a covering of coarse grass and bracken. Several spinneys of woodland (pine and mixed deciduous) are enclosed by stone walls, and are not accessible to the public. There are a number of magnificent specimens of ancient oaks several hundreds of years old. The park is home to herds of red deer and fallow deer. Birdlife is profuse - the reservoir attracts many species of wildfowl, as does the river, and the spinneys provide secluded nesting areas for many other species, including large colonies of rooks. Species such as yellowhammer, reed bunting, skylark and meadow pipit are a common sight in the open areas of the park. Deadly nightshade is allowed to grow within the ruins of Bradgate House, having been originally established there during World War II by Leicester Polytechnic's School of Pharmacy for medicinal purposes.

  Access

Sunshine across a winter scene.

There are pay car parks at Cropston Reservoir, Newtown Linford, and Hunts Hill (at the top of the park near Old John). The park is open from dawn until dusk all year round, though the public footpaths which run through the area mean that in practice the park is always accessible. There is a visitors' centre (with cafe) at Newtown Linford, and another in the centre of the park named the Deer Barn near Bradgate House.

It is also possible to travel to the park by bus. Bus routes 120 and 121 stop near the park entrance in Newtown Linford, while the 123 and some 54 buses run between Leicester and Loughborough, travelling along Reservoir road, stopping within a short walk of the park's Hallgates entrance. There is a walking path from the village of Anstey, easily accessible from Leicester by the 74 bus. The path is signposted from Link Road, and crosses several fields before entering the park proper.

Our Leicester Adventure

11th August 2010



I worked today little realising what was about to happen, about 3pm, Bob rang and intimated about going away, then i was virtually kidnapped from work at 4pm, at 3.30 Bob had booked a campsite at Lower Grange Farm near Coalville in Leicestershire for that very night for a 2 night stay, we virtually left immediately.

So we set off, on the way we realised Bob didn't know if he had been paid or not, hence NO MONEY, we had forgotten coats so NO COATS, At Peterborugh we found a shopping centre, Bob checked his bank account and breathed a sigh of relief that he had been paid, so we bought some food basics, and while we were there realised we had bought NO CUTLERY, CUPS, PLATES, TEA TOWELS ETC, so had to purchase some of them. Then we bought some Fish and Chips for tea and continued our journey, on the way we saw a very clear Rainbow with two fainter ones either side, not often you see a triple rainbow, we were hoping to arrive before 8pm as that is when they shut the gates for the night, but we had the ladies mobile number, we arrived about 10 past 8.

The campsite is on a working farm and was a lovely campsite, the first part is a cultivated area and then there is a field you can camp on.  We chose the field, not too far from toilet entrance, their were good decent toilets and showers, a washing up area and information centre.







There was a chicken and duck pen, a rabbit pen and a goat enclosure nearby.















It was beautiful, quiet and idyllic, perfect for our needs, they owned all the land and we could walk where we liked, there was a babbling brook.







On arrival we had to put up the tent, which is where we discovered we had NO TABLES, After standing round a while trying to remember what to do, we got on and it was quite painless.



Then decided to rig up the gas and make a drink, but Bob couldn't get the gas to fit, luckily we had a primus so were able to make a drink, and leave the main cooker until the morning.



Then it began to rain, luckily we had set up camp before the rain came or so we thought, the rain got heavier and heavier outside and ummmm INSIDE, it was at this point we realised we had made a fundamental mistake on putting up the tent, however, we could do nothing now because it was dark and chucking it down with rain.



We now went to bed,  and during the night it went drip drip drip, on my airbed, on my sleeping bag, we eventually fell asleep and woke up to a cockeral cock-a-doodle doing at 5am, to wet sleeping bags, airbeds and nightie. However, it was a lovely morning and turned into a beautiful day.



We got up and had a drink and went for a walk round the farm, then Bob figured out what he was doing wrong with the gas and we had breakfast, while i cleared up, Bob had a look at tent problem and got it sorted with very little trouble.



We hung the sleeping bags to dry and stood up airbeds and then left and went for a look round Coalville, i desperately needed a jacket/cardigan as i had been a little chilly, we had a pleasant look round i purchased a nice zipped cardigan and a couple of half price t shirts.

We chose to do 2 walks from the book Pub Walks in Leicestershire and Rutland, unfortunately, we did the walk minus the pubs.



BRADGATE PARK



Then we went to Bradgate Park, we entered the Park in the Newton Linford entrance, we followed a walk round the park. We started off following the steam, and saw lots of deer.







During the walk all Bob talked about was when we were to have our sandwiches, he reminded me of a child 'Mummm is it dinner time yet'.



We saw lots of Jackdaws







A Swift















A Pied Wagtail











There was a small yellow bird we kept seeing but not sure of identification.



We went to the tea shop and had a slice of cake and drink and then looked round the visitor centre, where the receptionist, comes from Cambridge and knew Hunstanton well, the place that shuts at 9pm she said, that is rather late i thought it shut at 5.30pm.



We passed Cropston Reservoir, and then started climbing upto Old Johns Folly, where we had our sandwiches a belated lunch.











Then on to the War Memorial



















I was intrigued with the thought of the uniformed organisations parading up there on Remembrance Sunday.



We then started walking or was that crawling downhill back towards the car park, showing how tired i was Bob says there is a hole in the wall ahead, i thought he meant cash machine however he meant:-















I remember playing as a child hide and seek amongst the bracken.



We then reached the car park and had a cup of tea and then crawled back to the car.  It was a lovely warm day, round Bradgate Park we did 15775 Steps and 7.22 miles.



Then we headed back to Coalville, and searched for a proper supermarket, we couldn't find a Tesco, Sainsburys or Morrisons etc, so had to settle for a Netto, but we got what we wanted, we bought a Instand BBQ and the makings of a BBQ for tea.



After tea we had a walk around the farm at dusk. Last night we got wet, we were dry tonight, but it was a clear sky and a lot more chilly.  Was a lovely clear night with beautiful visible stars.



We had a good nights sleep but were again awoken by our neighbourly cockerel. Again it is another lovely day.



We had breakfast and broke camp and were ready to leave about 10am, we were on the way to spend the day at Foxton Locks when Bob got a call, last time he did a model railway show he left his baseboard at the show, the person who had it lived in Leicester, he had just got Bobs message that we were in the area, he lived in Beaumont Leys about 10mins from us, so we went and collected the Baseboard and then went into Beaumont Leys for a drink before continuing on our way.



Foxton Locks







We arrived at Foxton and commenced our Foxton Locks walk.







We went and had a look at the Swingbridge but it was closed for repairs.















We then went back over a hump back bridge and onto the towpath of the Grand Union Canal











We saw lots of Barges or Narrowboats, and spotted on called Dawn Treader and immediately behind it one called Debbies Delight.


Then we reached the Bottom of Foxton Lock where there was a swing bridge to allow the boats through










We had a look in the shop and to my dismay i had forgotten to bring my purse.


We then started the climb up Foxton Locks











At the top we had a drink and a slice of cake and then continued along the canal, we saw a Narrowboat with its sides opened selling traditional canal boat wares and several statues along the towpath.












We reached a bridge and went over and commenced going down the other side of the Canal.



 
We reached the site of the remains of The Boat Lifts, which was fascinating, and there are plans afoot to restore it.



 

We continued to the bottom of the Lock, and saw several monuments.



 
Then we made our way back to the car, and drove back, complete with purse so i could buy one or two souvenirs, and we had an ice cream sitting watching the boats going up and down the locks.
 
We then left for our journey home at one point Bob was tired and headachy so we stopped for a short time, and then continued on home, and popped into see Mum and Dad.

The Kissing Gates Walk

4th August 2010



Yesterday i met mum at Snettisham Church, and we started our walk with the dogs Spot and Trixie, we went up through Hall Farm, cut across fields on to Norton Hill, saw some wonderful houses, it was peaceful and idyllic.
We met the main road and went down Common Road, there were 7 horses in the field we should have gone through so we went via the road to meet the main road we then crossed the By Pass and started walking through Ken Hill Wood, it was lovely and sunny without being too hot.
We saw Fungi

Robert Herb

Grey Squirrel

We steadily went uphill, wow it was hard work at times.
At the top we had quite a long rest.
Then started downhill towards Beach Road.
We went down beach road, and across the A149, and down Station Road, and turned off towards Snettisham Watermill, and then followed the river, again this was idyllic.
We saw Mallards

And continued along upto the main road crossed over and continued through Snettisham Housing Estate, up to Park Farm, followed the path through the back of Park Farm passing through a field with goats in.
Then round back to the Church and the finish, pretty worn out by then.
The walk said it was 3 3/4 miles.
However, my pedometer, said we walked 13272 steps and 6.07 miles.

A Blast from the Past

27th July 2010


I met Gloria in 1977 when i was pregnant with Steven, and she had Howard who was about 1 who was born in 1976, we moved in next door to each other in Burgh Lane, Mattishall, we became great friends with the children, Gloria later had Zena Jade who was born in 1985.
Gloria and Zena visited today with Zenas son Jayden, we worked out that it was 13 years since we met, 1997.
So we had a lot of catching up to do, unfortunately, my luck nowadays is we had torrential rain, why should i be surprised or disappointed, it is like my life, one long disappointment.
We went to the beach for about an hour, then as it started to drizzle, we had lunch in the salad bowl, then we went to the pier amusements and had a go, we wandered in the sweet shop, then wandered round the fair, and headed to Tesco and had a drink.
We did a lot of catching up, Gloria split up with Jamie 10years ago, She has a long term partner Kevin, who is a plant driver and they have been together for 9 years.
Zena is married to Scott who is an electrician with 1 child Jayden and lives in Bungay.
Howard is a sales rep and with a long term partner and has 2 boys Howard and Samual.
Gloria still lives in Hockering and has had cervical cancer which has been successfully treated, they thought the cancer had spread to her legs so they removed her Lymph Glands in her legs to check and this was clear.
It was a nice day, although we got soaked, it was great to do some catching up.

St Swithins Day

St. Swithin's Day is 15 July, a day on which people watch the weather for tradition says that whatever the weather is like on St. Swithin's Day, it will continue so for the next forty days.
There is a weather-rhyme is well known throughout the British Isles since Elizabethan times.    

'St. Swithin's day if thou dost rain
For forty days it will remain
St. Swithin's day if thou be fair
For forty days 'twill rain nae mair.'

dost = does
thou = you
nae mair = no more.
Who was St. Swithin?
St. Swithin (or more properly, Swithun) was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester. He was born in the kingdom of Wessex and educated in its capital, Winchester. He was famous for charitable gifts and building churches.
Why do people watch the weather on St. Swithin's day?
A legend says that as the Bishop lay on his deathbed, he asked to be buried out of doors, where he would be trodden on and rained on. For nine years, his wishes were followed, but then, the monks of Winchester attempted to remove his remains to a splendid shrine inside the cathedral on 15 July 971. According to legend there was a heavy rain storm either during the ceremony or on its anniversary.
This led to the old wives' tale (folklore) that if it rains on St Swithin's Day (July 15th), it will rain for the next 40 days in succession, and a fine 15th July will be followed by 40 days of fine weather. copied from projectbritain.com
However, according to the Met Office, this old wives' tale is nothing other than a myth. It has been put to the test on 55 occasions*, when it has been wet on St Swithin's Day and 40 days of rain did not follow.
What symbols are associated with St. Swithins?
The emblems of St. Swithin refer to the legend of the forty days' rain (raindrops) and the apples from the trees he planted.
Apples and St. Swithuns

"St Swithin is christening the apples"
Brand, Popular Antiquities, 1813, i, 342

There is an old saying when it rains on St. Swithin's Day, it is the Saint christening the apples.
Apple growers ask St. Swithin for his blessing each year because they believe: copied from projectbritain.com

• Rain on St. Swithin's day 'blesses and christens the apples'.
• No apple should picked or eaten before July 15th.
• Apples still growing at St Swithin's day will ripen fully.

N Train

Or how to make a model train the hard way.
Sometime after our housefire, I restarted my interest in N Gauge model railways. I wanted to have a model of the train I took to London on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, there wasn't a model of it available, and there still isn't. So I decided it would be good to make one.............

I started looking into what I could use and found very little that could be used. No motorised chassis, no suitable body.
Anyway, one thing led to another and I ended up leasing a computer controlled milling machine which came with Rhino 3D, a computer aided design package.
Over time I made contact with like minded people and ended up looking at designing my own chassis which generated a lot of interest. Prototypes have been seen at various shows and always attract attention.
As part of my learning curve I have had to learn CAD, mould making, resin casting and metal casting, all with different degrees of success.
In an aid to finance development, I started getting a few model cars and buses from Japan and set up an e-bay shop. This is currently getting steady sales.
So, do I have my model of the King's Lynn train????
It's only been 6 or 7 years, what do you think?

Country Music Festivals

When the children were small we attended many Country Music Holidays at Pontins, we went several times to Hemsby, we also went to St Marys Bay and a couple of New Year Festivals at Prestatyn. We also attended a Festival at Butlins in Skegness, one of the acts was Stella Parton (Dolly's sister), she queued up for food next to Bob
1988 Pontins, Hemsby

Jenny as a Squaw with Captain Croc
1989 Pontins Hemsby
1989 Pontins New Year Prestatyn
1991 Pontins St Marys Bay where Jenny fell off a wall and knocked out 2 front teeth.
We got very friendly with a band West Virginia, Jenny loved them.

We also saw among others -
Campbells Country

Lemon Grass
The Haley Sisters
The Indians

Steven on stage with The Indians

Colorado

Raymond Froggett
Sarah Jory
Seeing the performance of the American Trilogy was a time to remember.

We took part in Line Dance classes.
We also attended Norfolk Country Music Festival at Strumpshaw, and Kings Lynn Country Music Festival at Clenchwarton among many others.