A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
Dodging the showers at Hurley – 11th September 2011
It’s been just over a year since we last went over to Hurley.
This afternoon, once the Grand Prix was over, we headed off there again. The clouds looked somewhat threatening even before we had arrived and once we had parked in the car park we gazed up at the sky apprehensively.
We made our way over the bridge and on to the island in increasingly gloomy conditions.
Looking down from the bridge
Heading towards Hurley lock
There were a couple of boats in the lock and the girls were keen to wait for them to leave the lock before continuing.
The girls by the lock
Hurley island now boasts a number of tables with a BBQ attachment in the middle. This consists of a simple metal frame atop which you can place your disposable BBQ. It wasn’t something for today, but perhaps we’ll be more organised next summer.
High-tech picnic table with BBQ contraption
We walked down to the water’s edge on the far side of the island and Emily enjoyed seeing some ‘quack-quacks’ whilst we were there.
Down by the river
Riverside reflections
There were a couple of light showers while we were on the river bank prompting us to retreat into relative dryness under the trees before we retraced our steps to the lock.
We managed to find a gap in the rain while we ordered our refreshments from the small kiosk and selected, although onlookers on the island would have witnessed the ungainly sight of me attempting to break into a jog while carrying a tray of drinks shortly after sitting down at a table as the rain began again!
The menu offered at Hurley lock
A few moments at the table before the rain set in
Holly
Rebekah
We ended up drinking our drinks standing up under a tree, all something of a contrast to the scene last time we were there!
Taking shelter
With the weather showing few signs of improving we took advantage of the next break in the rain to head back to the car and home.
Young moorhen?
Hopefully we’ll manage to get back to Hurley again before another twelve months have elapsed!
My memories of 9/11 – 11th September 2011
As we sit poised on the tenth anniversary of the events of September 11th 2001, I like many, look back on my own memories of the day.
We were away on holiday in early September 2001, celebrating our second wedding anniversary, spending time down in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. It was a far-off, peaceful time before the arrival of any children!
On September 11th, we were on a steam train on the West Somerset Railway when I received a text message from my friend Jon informing me that planes had hit the World Trade Centre. I didn’t even know what the World Trade Centre was!
The delightful Crowcombe Heathfield station, on the West Somerset Railway, taken on September 11th 2001
More news gradually came through but it all seemed strangely irrelevant sitting aboard a steam train in the depths of the English countryside. Was this really happening? Was America really under attack? It just didn’t make sense.
Eventually we made it back to the car and I remember ringing work and asking them about it. It sounded as though most people there were watching television or looking for more details on the internet.
For some reason, the only radio station that I could get hold of in the car was Talk Sport! Of course there wasn’t much sport being spoken about that day, the news was all about the developing events in America.
I can’t remember much else about the day apart from eating out at a Pizza Hut or Pizza Express in the evening. They had TVs in the restaurant which were endlessly replaying the plane crash.
It was a strange and unique day. A day when America came under attack. It all seemed like a million miles away from rural Somerset. Nothing would change here, surely?
Would it?
#thamesswim in Maidenhead – 10th September 2011
We didn’t manage to get down to see David Walliams swimming through Maidenhead for Sport Relief. Fortunately, others on Twitter were more organised than us, including @Maidbloke who live tweeted the whole event:
Rebekah at Juniors – 6th September 2011
Just a handful of photos to mark Rebekah’s transition from Infant school to Juniors. Her first day went well, thankfully.
Rebekah dressed and ready for school
Side view, with a small rucksack
- A slightly wistful Holly joins the party
A Few Ramblings... 