Author Archives: Steve

About Steve

Man of leisure.

Kingswood and Wotton Tug of War

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Monday we had the tug of war over Tetchwick Brook between Wotton Underwood and Kingswood. We had lovely weather and a good turn out for the match.

Kingswood men won their match winning 2 pulls to Wotton’s 0.

Kingswood women lost to Wotton, despite their win on the first pull, which was disqualified when a count shouted 12 Kingswood women and only 8 Wotton women.

Kingswood Juniors won their match 2 pulls to 1.

Wotton provided an endless BBQ of burgers and sausages, which never seemed to stop. Kingswood provided the bar of Hook Norton beer, wine and various other liquids. 

Thanks to all the people who organised this event: George Stanton for getting the beer & for organizing the Aunt Sally; Austin Lovell for umpiring the tug of war; Annie Stanton, Graham and Fran for running the bar; the wonderful work put in by the Wotton team on the BBQ and the two field owners who valiantly lent their fields and moved the livestock out.There was a free for all Welly Wanging match, while Austin organised a race for the children across the Brook, round a tree on the far-side and back. The children all arrived back unbelievably muddy and wet, some of the small ones were still scrambling up the sides of the opposite bank when they were overtaken by triumphant returning competitors.

Afterwards we had a buffet supper of cold display plus Thai chicken curry in The Plough and Anchor provided by landlord Paul Ring. A lovely end to a great Bank Holiday.

Edinburgh RBS

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Quick trip to Edinburgh with EasyJet today. Made a long day of it, up at 5.30 in the morning and back home at 21.00. Did not see much of the place, sat in a windowless room all day in meetings at RBS

Hook Norton Brewery

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Today the Plough and Anchor drinkers decamped to Hook Norton for a brewery visit. The brewery still operates a steam engine to power the water pumps, grain hoists and milling machines. The whole place is a wonderful piece of Victorian engineering, and much of this is still operated.

I intend going back there during the day when the machinery is in operation.

After the visit we had a few drinks in the brewery visitor centre, and then onto another pub for sandwiches and chips.

Cambridge Society Ironbridge Weekend

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We had a long weekend with the Berkshire branch of the Cambridge Society. Thirty-five of us met up for a visit to the Severn Valley Railway, and Iron Bridge.

First we met up at the Wenlock Edge Inn near to the market town of Wenlock. Had an excellent baguette for lunch and a pint of Hobsons. Afterwards there was a geological walk along the Wenlock ridge for the able people, and a visit around Wenlock and the priory for those not so able. I had to succumb to the leg and visited the priory.

Afterwards we went back and booked into the hotel in Telford, had drinks, dinner and a presentation of the local geology by Peter Worsley, professor from Oxford University.

The next day was a tour around Bridgenorth, highlights were the castle, as seen by Time Team, the church and the ride on the Cliff railway. Next it was on to the Severn Valley Railway and a tour of Country Park, led by a very articulate and enthusiastic guide who had set up the park.

Back at the hotel it was time for dinner, and then a talk about Ironbridge by Ken Jones, a guide and author of an Ironbridge book.

Sunday was a tour of Ironbridge; we started with the Coalbrookedale Museum of Iron and then Darby House. Abraham Darby was the first person to smelt iron with coke instead of charcoal. He started this in Coalbrookdale. Another Darby, Abraham Darby the Third built the first to build an iron bridge.

After this we went and walked over the Ironbridge, and then had lunch in Mrs Peacock’s Pantry.

The afternoon was spent in Blists Hill. This is a museum located on another mining and smelting site. The museum has also been set up to recreate a village. People recreating the feel of the house inhabited each house. These people interacted with the visitors, and in the shops also traded with the visitors. We visited here 10 years ago. It had changed over the time, and was well worth the visit. 

Pictures and a full write up in a few weeks.

Much thanks to the organiser Catherine Side.

Cold Spell

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What a change in the weather!!! Really cold today, after the record hot weather of the previous days it was time for the central heating to burst into life. At least the rain kept away. (Though with the fires I expect we could do with a bit of rain very soon).

Fish Supper at the Plough and Anchor

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You might be forgiven if you thought I was advertising the P&A, but they do excellent food and as they are near at hand it really saves on the driving. Anyway they had a special Fish evening on Friday which Rosemary and I attended.

For Starters Rosemary had Smoked mackerel, horseradish and egg parsley tian, while I had Deep fried Cromer crab and red pimento soufflé. 

Mains were Natural smoked Haddock and Salmon set on a lemon grass skewer with pilau rice and sweet and sour sauce, while I had Pan fried Sea Bass on a bed of Celery mashed Potatoes with Tomato Ragout. All very excellent including the desserts. 

The day was very warm although there was a strong breeze blowing.

Aylesbury Bus Services

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Thursday was the third day I tried and failed to catch the bus from work home. No wonder no one travels by bus. The first day the Red Rose bus went sailing past me at the bus stop. The second day was my fault, I did not understand the bus route and waited at the wrong place. The third day I waited for the bus for ages, well past the bus leaving time (15 minutes) and as I was walking back down the road the bus passed by. Thats it never again.

I mowed the grass

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Sunday the sun shone, and it was very warm in the conservatory. Outside not so warm, but by the end of the day I was outside in a tee shirt. I managed to mow the outside of the field on the ride on mower despite the hurt leg. Most of the foot work on the mower has to be done with the right leg. (Not the broken leg). I was able to do quite a bit of walking without crutches on Sunday, and going up and downstairs is alot easier now I can put weight on the leg.