A ponderous carriage of unusual weight!

I'm back on track, now that I've bought a new camera, and talking of tracks, I just had to include a photo of this notice, seen on a bridge in Repton, when I was out with the walking club last Wednesday. It was good to be out with my friends again. Here are some of them, enjoying their morning coffee break. At the end of the walk we visited the church, and the tiny crypt. Frank, one of our walkers, had done some work on the crypt with his colleagues, but he said they were off pretty smartish when it got dark! It didn't quite have the same atmosphere when in was full of people, but it certainly does when you visit it alone. We finished off our day at the tea rooms, where Molly and I struggled to drink our very large and very hot mugs of hot chocolate as all the others had finished their drinks and were beginning to leave us behind.


And here I am, making a start on Jane Asher's 'last minute Christmas cake' as recommended by my friends D & D. Over the years I've had a go (usually successfully) at various recipes, but I must admit to having had one or two hiccups regarding the timing of Delia Smith's version, which needed far more time in my oven than the recipe stated. However, this year, using the Jane Asher recipe, the cake came out of the oven exactly on the time in the recipe, and looked very good. I was caught unawares on camera as I weighed and measured out the ingredients. Talk about a ponderous carriage of unusual weight!

Last night was the Hill Allotments AGM, with quite a number of serious items on the agenda, including security (we've suffered some vandalism this year) and water consumption, and it turned out to be quite a lively and interesting evening. The cups and trophies, gleaming on the table in front of the committee, were duly handed out to those plotters who had worked so hard during the year, in particular Jason, who had swept the board. Of course, we were all very proud of the fact that Hill Allotments were judged the best in Birmingham this year, and one of our plot holders had the 2nd best plot in Birmingham. Earlier in the year I had suggested that we should have a competition for the best show day photograph, and although there were only 3 of us who entered, there were over 30 photos to be judged, and Greg deservedly won, with his leeks. Now the photos can be kept with the club records, for the future. It seemed to have been a popular item, so perhaps, next year, more people will have a go. There was a good spread of food for us all to enjoy too.

I was out again with the walkers today, on very misty Cannock Chase. Pity it was such a grey day, as the trees were so colourful. The pace was pretty fast, and I arrived home with a very red face.