Why, given the state of the roads, local and otherwise, has there recently been resurfacing work taking place in a number of minor roads and cul-de-sacs in the Mere Green area? Last week, too top it all, a number of men and their re-surfacing equipment began work on the pavement opposite the shops. No- not immediately outside the shops, but alonside the Lichfield road, where hardly anyone walks. What was the point? This must have been quite a costly operation. In the meantime, motorists are forced to swerve to avoid the ever deepening pot-holes. It's bad enough in a car, but particularly dangerous for cyclists and bikers. While I'm in my 'Mrs Grumpy of Mere Green' mode, I must mention the ongoing saga of the traffic island. From a perfectly reasonable island, planted up with a few shrubs and bright annuals, it was, some time ago, suddenly transformed into a mound of ill-chosen stones. After the local vandals used these as missiles, some of the stones were removed. There were a few, rather sad bedding plants around the perimeter, but it wasn't long before they shrivelled up, only to be replaced by weeds, which remained there for some weeks. (I believe the island was been 'transformed' for 'ease and safety of maintenance'. Oh yes! Now we have a few agapanthus and grasses amongst the arid looking stones. No - it does not look like a designer gravel garden (which, in any case would be totally inappopriate for the location). It looks a mess, and will look even worse in the winter! Moans over, let's get onto the happy stuff.
Wednesday was spent walking in t
he countryside with my son, A. I was checking out a walk I'd planned for the walking club. We parked at Wetton Mill and made our way up Ladyside Wood, towards Grindon, then on to Ford and Onecote, where we stopped for lunch in a handy bus shelter with seat. I'd added an extra loop, in case 
the walk was too short, but it turned out to be a bit of a problem as the paths had not been used for some time and was hard to follow, as we struggled through the long, wet grass. So, on our return to Onecote I decided we'd give it a miss for the club walk in September. The countryside was quite beautiful and peaceful, and only met one other couple and a handful of locals all day. We continued across the heather on Grindon Moor, and down the fields to Butterton where we had trouble finding the planned path. However, after making a few mistakes and asking for help from a farmer, we made our way back towards Wetton Mill along the side of the brook, edged by wild flowers and watermint, watching butterflies and birds along the way. A super day with my lovely son.
he countryside with my son, A. I was checking out a walk I'd planned for the walking club. We parked at Wetton Mill and made our way up Ladyside Wood, towards Grindon, then on to Ford and Onecote, where we stopped for lunch in a handy bus shelter with seat. I'd added an extra loop, in case 
the walk was too short, but it turned out to be a bit of a problem as the paths had not been used for some time and was hard to follow, as we struggled through the long, wet grass. So, on our return to Onecote I decided we'd give it a miss for the club walk in September. The countryside was quite beautiful and peaceful, and only met one other couple and a handful of locals all day. We continued across the heather on Grindon Moor, and down the fields to Butterton where we had trouble finding the planned path. However, after making a few mistakes and asking for help from a farmer, we made our way back towards Wetton Mill along the side of the brook, edged by wild flowers and watermint, watching butterflies and birds along the way. A super day with my lovely son.
The following day Mike and I took our grandchildren to Blists Hill. We had a lot of fun and I even got to go on the carousel, which brought back a lot of memories. When I was a little girl, in Liverpool, my gran used to take me across the Mersey on the ferry to Birkenhead, where I loved to go on the carousel, although I felt quite scared, sitting astride the large horse, gripping on for dear life with, apparently, a very miserable look on my face. I think it was just fear. Mike took our grandson (who didn't look a bit frightened) on the carousel and our granddaughter won a prize on the shooting gallery. I can thoroughly recommend the chip shop - the chips, fried in beef dripping, were the
best I've tasted for a long time, and the children were taught the art of making a paper cone, in which the chips were served. The 'lads' went off for a ride on the little train into the clay mine, and we girls explored some of the houses and offices. We were all rather tired when we arrived home, but it had been a fun-packed day.
best I've tasted for a long time, and the children were taught the art of making a paper cone, in which the chips were served. The 'lads' went off for a ride on the little train into the clay mine, and we girls explored some of the houses and offices. We were all rather tired when we arrived home, but it had been a fun-packed day.The following evening we had our neighbours P & G round for a meal. They are soon leaving us, to live in Spain and although we have only known them for a short while, we shall certainly miss them.
First thing Saturday morning I was up at the Allotments with my completed entry form for the Annual Show, before heading off to the much larger Canwell Show, where we met up with our daughter-in-law and the grandchildren. This was to be another good day out. It was worth
being there for the Cossack Horse display alone. After the previous day out at Blists Hill and wandering round the showground all afternoon, we were ready for a sit, so we found a space on the grass in front of the excellent band, for a while. Then it was home to prepare my entries for our own show, for the following morning.
being there for the Cossack Horse display alone. After the previous day out at Blists Hill and wandering round the showground all afternoon, we were ready for a sit, so we found a space on the grass in front of the excellent band, for a while. Then it was home to prepare my entries for our own show, for the following morning. Sunday morning, and Mike dropped me off at the clubhouse with four of my five entries. This year I didn't try so hard. After all, we'd eaten most of the produce before show day. Then it was back home with some flowers off the plot, to assemble my small arrangement. Last year was my first show, and that was good, but I think this was even better, with some excellent entries. Despite the fact that I hadn't made much of an effort, I won a 1st for my fruit cake, 3rd for the lemon drizzle cake and 1st for the small flower arrangement - and 2nd for the Best Dressed Shed. And even better news that Hill Allotments had come 2nd in all Birmingham this year (we were 1st last year). All our family joined us during the afternoon (apart from our eldest son, who was away on his annual Hillman Imp 'do'). We returned home with A & E, who joined us for a meal of homegrown vegetables and delicious sausages (bought from the Canwell Show). Well done to the organisers of our own show, and may it continue to thrive.
Yesterday we had a bit of a rest, although I did spend some time on the plot, dead-heading and listening to the birds.
No comments:
Post a Comment