The wrong side of the hedge

Just read a mail from our ex neighbours Pauline and Graham, who sold up, downsized to the bare minimum and set off on a slow journey through France to Spain, where they are now about to settle into their rented property, until they eventually find somewhere to live permanently. What an adventure! For the weeks prior to leaving Sutton, they were selling off and giving away most of their possessions, even down to their well-loved cat, who had become quite friendly with Mike and I, and enjoyed sitting on the bench in our front garden, reminding us of our lovely Emma, and her predecessor Daisy. I must say I was very tempted to take on Tibby, but we have been pet-less for some time now, and free to take off in our caravan, whenever we want, so she is now living (very happily by the sounds of it) with one of their friends in Wales.

Due to our little get-aways in the caravan, I have missed quite a few of the Wednesday walks, but when I have had the chance, I seem to have hit on some particularly good weather, especially during this pretty miserable summer. Yesterday was no exception, when we enjoyed Molly's walk in the Kenilworth area. Here are some of the 'girls' having their mid-morning break, sitting in the warm sunshine, under a blue sky, at the edge of a maize field. I couldn't resist the following photo of Molly. There had been some friendly dispute about which side of the hedge we should be. She was right all along - we should have been on the other side. So we all had to climb through. I warned her that it would appear on my Blog.

The hedgerows were full of ripe haws, hips, damsons, sloes, crab apples, and shiny black elderberries hanging heavily and ready for the picking. We did pass a lady collecting them, near the castle. She was going to make elderberry and blackberry jelly.

On our way back, not far from the castle, we crossed an area of lumps and bumps in a field, where Henry V had built The Pleasance, a banqueting hall (amongst other things) for entertaining, and which he preferred to use, rather than the castle. This was later demolished by Henry VIII. Passing below the castle walls, we then crossed the road and around the lake in the Abbey grounds, before heading back to the cars, where we changed out of our boots. Then it was down the road to a little cafe, for cuppas or cold drinks, and for two of us, some very nice scones with jam and cream.

Last Sunday Mike went to Coughton Park with a group from the parish, to see the Pope. He'd left home at some ridiculous time of the morning, and rang me when they'd arrived at the park, to let me know that he was 'sitting on the hill opposite the stage'. I did watch most of the proceedings on TV and was very impressed with the event. As for spotting Mike - well, as nearly everyone was sitting on the hill opposite the stage, there was no chance. Eventually I made it down to the allotments, to find Nick, Pat and Catherine busy working on John's plot, as he sat watching. I hadn't realised that he'd had more health problems and had been in hospital. I'll be telling him off if he doesn't look after himself. Eventually everyone left, and I spent I spent the rest of the day digging over some of the empty sections of my plot, and tidying up in general. Hazel came down to collect grapes from John's greenhouse, and we spent some time having a friendly chat, then I returned home, laden down with produce. It wasn't long after that Mike arrived back, after enjoying a thoroughly satisfying and enjoyable day himself.

Our friends C & D set off for their holiday on Samos today. Just wish we were with them. We've spent so many happy holidays in various parts of Greece, over the years.