A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
August Walk to Cookham Dean – 28th August 2011
It seems like a long time since the last of our monthly walks up to Cookham Dean.
With today being the final weekend of August, Rebekah and I hastened once more along the well-trodden path to Cookham Dean and back.
The weather was delightful at the beginning of the walk. By the end, however, the decision to leave any extra clothing seemed to be a little rash and the walk was completed briskly to escape the wind and ever threatening rainfall.
Perfect cricket weather
Thing had moved on apace in the intervening five weeks. Although the cricketers were still playing, this will probably be the final time that we see them this year.
Dandelions
Looking across the harvested field
The wheat crop has been harvested since our last walk and the bare earth was in stark contrast to the golden crop which was awaiting harvest last month.
Rebekah taking a shot
This month Rebekah brought her camera with her as well as me taking mine. This meant that the walk probably lasted longer than usual, with both of us snapping away.
Fortunately the weather remained dry, although the temperature had dropped somewhat during the walk and we were both glad to reach Mum’s house and escape the chilly wind.
Below are a few more shots from this afternoon’s walk.
Rose hips
Rebekah disappearing up the path
Dappled sunshine through the trees
Rebekah
Late autumn colour
Summer rose
Blackberries ripening
Final shot of the cricket in deteriorating weather
Catching Up – 27 August 2011
After the excitement of eating out yesterday and with Emily still under the weather with another ear infection, we had a relatively quiet day today.
The morning was spent visiting Homebase, in whose car-park I met up with Jon, after shopping, to retrieve my camera.
Afterwards we went over to Mum’s for coffee, meeting up with her sister, my Auntie Eileen, who is in the country visiting from her home in Canada. My sister’s family then also turned up. There was much to catch up on with Auntie Eileen as she hasn’t been over to the UK since Dad’s funeral and she was keen to see Heather’s photos of the Order of the Garter ceremony.
Emily ‘helping’ Rebekah learn to play chess
Looking at photos of the Garter Ceremony with Auntie Eileen
Rain delaying our return home
After returning home for lunch, we stayed in during the afternoon and evening.
Family and Smiles – 26th August 2011
Although it’s only been a few weeks since our holiday in Shropshire, I was more than ready for another day off work and particularly one already linked to a long weekend.
We woke to the sound of heavy rain, and half an inch fell before things finally began to dry up around 11am.
We spent most of the morning shopping in Maidenhead before returning home for lunch.
During the afternoon, we went over to Mum’s and met Heather, Hugh and Katy there. I picked another load of runner beans from the veg plot while the five cousins played together.
More runner beans!
Hugh, Heather and Katy
Afterwards, we drove over to Bourne End for our second visit to Smiles Fish and Chip Restaurant.
Smiles is essentially divided into two halfs – an area for ordering and collecting takeaway fish and chips, and an area for eating in. We opted for the latter.
Smiles
Fish and chips
As last time, the service was quick and friendly and the food was excellent both in terms of quantity and quality. Despite the fact that it was only 5.30pm when we arrived, the restaurant was quickly filling up and remained so during the duration of our visit.
Smiles' fishy logo
Holly smiling in Smiles
Following our meal we had a short stroll along Bourne End High Street before heading home via the river at Maidenhead.
Although the weather had threatened to spoil the day somewhat, we were pleased that we’d been able to meet up with family and enjoy a good meal out.
Thanks to Rebekah for lending me her camera for these shots. I in turn lent mine to Jon for a wedding.
Friends and Firepit – 21 August 2011
We had a few friends round this evening.
It was finally a chance to see Alan and Jennifer’s wedding photos as well as to enjoy food outside and even dust off the firepit, which we haven’t used since July 2008!
The firepit alight
Blazing into the evening
A Few Ramblings... 
