A Few Ramblings…
Forty-six year old Christian happily negotiating the world with a wife and three daughters
Carters Steam Fair – 7th May 2011
This afternoon we made our annual visit to Carters Steam Fair on their visit to Pinkneys Green.
The girls had been looking forward to it ever since the first of the famous Steam Fair signs went up in Maidenhead and this morning they enjoyed watching the parade of steam engines as they travelled through the town.
Putting up Carters Steam Fair signs
We joined the crowds up at Pinkneys Green and managed to park alongside the cricket pitch before crossing the road and entering the fair.
The girls were keen to go on lots of the old-fashioned rides and started off with the helter-skelter.
Holly and Sarah
Rebekah
- Holly
Emily and Rebekah
- Emily on the train
Whilst we were there, we spotted Roy Hudd, along with a film crew, who were filming a programme called Fun Fairs – The louder you scream, the more we show.
Roy Hudd
My personal favourites at the fair are always the bumper cars and the famous Carters Wall of Death and I managed to see both of them.
Me and Rebekah on the bumper cars
- The Wall of Death
- Skills on display at the Wall of Death
We finished our visit with customary hot doughnuts before heading home.
Carters Steam Fair market themselves as ‘Britain’s Number One Traditional Family Funfair’ and never seem to disappoint. The staff are always approachable, helpful and polite and the fair, despite offering what would seem to be entertainment from a bygone age, always manages to pull in the crowds.
Emily
We all enjoyed the afternoon and we’ll certainly be going along when the fair comes to Holyport in the autumn.
Osama bin Laden is dead! – 2nd May 2011
Almost a decade after the tragic events of September 11th 2001, the American administration has finally caught up with the alleged perpetrator, Osama bin Laden, who was top of the US Most Wanted List.
Bin Laden was killed by US forces in an operation in Pakistan, sparking amazing scenes of jubilant celebration outside the White House in Washington. Here’s how the news developed on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/gracecaudle/status/64905669920296960
Bin Laden was no longer in day-to-day command of Al-Queda and there are now fears of reprisal attacks following news of his death.
Enjoying the sunshine – 1st May 2011
It’s been a busy weekend. With the extra day off and all the excitement of the Royal Wedding, it was good to have Saturday to relax a little.
Each month so far this year I’ve been on the same walk between Cookham Rise and Cookham Dean with Rebekah. The entire walk is only a couple of miles long but is a route that I’ve walked all my life, particularly when growing up in Cookham, so I carry a unique affection for it.
Scenic track up to Cookham Dean
Already this year we’ve walked in bitter cold, through rain and in the early spring sunshine of March. Given that it was the final day of April yesterday, it was now or never to complete the walk.
It's been a while since this gate was last opened!
We walked the entire route on Saturday morning, bathed in glorious sunshine. The path passes through the delightful Cookham Dean churchyard and we normally stop there for a short rest on a bench.
Cookham Dean churchyard
This time, while we were in the churchyard, the church door opened and the organist, David Colthup, emerged. I recognised him immediately as he had played at Dad’s funeral, back in February. He remembered us as well, and kindly gave us a tour of the organ in Cookham Dean Church which Dad had played many years ago during an open day.
He also allowed Rebekah to play a few tentative notes on the 79-year-old instrument which had been fully restored in 1996. She enjoyed seeing the effects that adjusting the different organ stops had on the music that was produced.
Rebekah with organist David Colthup at Cookham Dean Church
With a wedding happening at the church within the next hour or so, we politely made our escape after thanking David very much for his time.
We noticed while walking across the fields how dry the ground is currently and in many places the consistency of the soil is almost akin to sand!
Rebekah kicking up the dust in the parched soil
Later in the day we enjoyed an excellent Chinese meal at the Jasmine Peking Chinese restaurant.
Our starter at the Jasmine
On Sunday afternoon we went over to Cliveden again and enjoyed a walk around the grounds, including a first visit to the spectacular chapel which was designed in 1735.
Holly and Rebekah
Enjoying a sit down at Cliveden
Looking across from Cliveden to Cookham Dean
Afterwards there was time for some more digging in the vegetable plot. We have several more seeds to plant in there in the next few days.
Overall a fun and busy weekend with the family.
A Few Ramblings... 