Rosemary has reported that my weeding of the pond has caused disruption in Moorhen World. The weeding from the pond is still on the bank, (allowing the pond life which was removed to wander back into the water at their leisure). Alas they are too near the bank, and the increase in height compounded by the slippery mud has made it difficult for the moorhen to get out of the pond. Rosemary was attracted to this plight by considerable squawking and splashing as the moorhen tried to surmount the bank side. Why it didn’t try an easier route is anyone’s guess.
Category Archives: Buckinghamshire
Pond weeding
Did a bit of weeding of the pond on Sunday. Removed the floating island of waterlily and various other plants including a bramble. Trimmed back the shallow water plants which were creating their own rafts.
Had to do some wading to achieve this. Remembered to remove my mobile phone from my jeans before I started, but alas left my credit cards and notes in my pocket. Ah well, they dried out and the cards, of course, still work.
Replanted a bit of the waterlily back into the depths, so hopefully it will live and show as some nice flowers this year.
Now looking forward to the storm predicted to break during the night.
Stowe Landscape Gardens
Another sunny by cool day saw us going to Stowe Landscape Gardens in the hope of seeing snowdrops. Stowe is a posh private school set in some wonderful gardens and park land. The school though does not maintain the gardens, which is done by the National Trust, so the poor lads and lasses have to put up with us plebs wondering around.
We did see some snowdrops (and winter aconites), though no way as good as the masses we had seen in the Cotswolds a few years ago
There are some lovely lakes at the park and trees with wonderful structure. Here’s a tree and a lake to feast your eyes on:
After a quick morning tour, we rushed back home for Sunday lunch at The P&A, courtesy of Ladymead Joinery. Must have been a good occasion, we were there for four hours.
Another wet and horrible day
Working from home to day, the weather is absolutely crap. The Blasdale field is flooded, the poor sheep are wearing (Wellington) boots today.
The Plough and Anchor or the P&A
I have been in the office the last few days. Now working on some development projects concerned with Single Signon. Very odd not being out on customer sites, and alas not chargeable, so no bonus from this work. Hopefully will get up to speed on the project, and then will work from home to complete the work.
Went to the local pub last night to have one of their cheap meals. First had a drink with George and Annie who were surpised to see us on a week day. Afterwards Rosemary and I dined in the resturant.
I am pleased to say that the meal was actually very good, and not outrageously expensive. We went for the mid week value meal, and had three courses. The amount of food was just right, and each dish was well presented. The French waiter, Cyril, was very helpful with the wine selection and offered excellent alternatives to our original selections.
For starters Rosemary selected Ceasar Salad, while I had Salmon Terrine. The Terrine was lovely, and was served with a sauce and topped with a salady/pickle made of strips of cucumber.
Both of us ate the Sea Bream on couscous. We both were very happy with this.
For the finals, chocolate for me and creme brule for Rosemary. My chocolate pudding was delish. A dark chocolate on a white chocolate moose.
Tug of War
The postponed tug of war between Wotton and Kingswood was held this Bank Holiday Monday. Weather not so hot, but sun did show and it never rained. Good food as usual, and a few beers. Fifty or so attended, not many though from Kingswood. Will have to expend a bit more effort in getting people out to the event.
Wotton won the mens and womens tug of war, while the children from Kingswood were victorious. Pictures in due course.
After the BBQ, had a drive in a Honda go cart-on George and Annie’s field. Time trials, alas I was last, but then I don’t have the practice and I was only a couple of seconds behind. [Editor’s note: Steve had about 40+ years on his opponent, G&A’s eldest grandson, during these trials.]
Ate at the pub in Ludgershall with George and Annie. Pretty good value and very well presented. Well worth a visit.
BBQ at home, and back home for Mother In Law
Selina and Graham attended our BBQ this weekend. Unlike John and Carol, we were able to call on the weather Gods and arranged a sunny day. They excelled themselves and provided us with several days of warmth.
Our BBQ was lamb shoulder. Now where have I had that recently! Mum in law, Winnie, was present having stayed most of the week. She was taken back to her home complete with Freeview Box, which I set up. Drive down was bad with all the traffic going to Bournemouth. Drive back was good, except for the 45 minute hold-up while someone was air-lifted from the road after an accident, but it wasn’t us, so we should feel thankful.
Back at home I strimmed down the thistles on the field. Hopefully last time this year.
Footpath
Today the gate on the footpath between us and our neighbours was installed. The neighbours over the weekend also dug a large pond in their garden.
The local pub is part way through installing a conservatory, and building a sitting out area around the back. They’ve also started landscaping at the front – some good hanging baskets to attract the punters, perhaps.
The Kingswood Tug Of War
The ususal tug of war against our next village neighbours never took place. Sunday the area was prepared. Nettles were strimmed down, a foot bridge was built over the border-marking brook, and a dam built of corregated iron was placed against the road bridge. All this was done in the cold, wet rain. Hopefully the day of the event would be better.
Monday moring, George rang, wondering whether we should cancel the event. It was still raining, and had been all night. So we decided it should be cancelled. Drove down to the border to dismantle the bridge and dam. On arrival was a little worried our dam building might have been rather too effective, the water was flooding the surrounding fields and was higher than the bridge arch. Luckily this was not the case; the whole of the river on the other side of bridge was also above the fields. There was nothing we could do to retrieve the dam on the bridge until the water died down.
It rained the rest of the day.
Five Arrows – Waddesdon
Quick trip to Waddesdon Manor to see the Christmas decorations. Usual good standard, but Steve was begining to find them a bit the same. Rosemary liked them.
Tried to eat at the Manor, but the resturant was full, so went to the Five Arrows. Very busy when we arrived, but we were found somewhere to eat. We ate of the fixed price menu, £15.50 for two courses. Not a great choice, and we both felt was not very good value for the price.
Steve started with a fillet beef salad with croutons. Beef cooked very nicely. The main course was venison bangers and mash. The sausages where very strong venison flavour, while the mash was very creamy and flaovourless.
Rosemary amazingly had a fish main course which had changed from the salmon on the menu and a starter of a vegetarian tart, which was more puff pastry than vegetable, but with a good pickle. She was not overly impressed.