A quieter couple of days

 I have had a fairly relaxing couple of days and have neglected to make a Journal entry.  This is an attempt to fill in the gaps.

On Friday 30% had arranged for H to come over with her two granddaughters, O & A.  They are two and five respectively and, shall we say, real characters!

They arrived midway through the morning and stayed until mid afternoon. We had a splendid time sitting and talking, while the girls played and chattered. There was no chance that two youngsters would occupy themselves, so we went up to the orchard to see the bees and chickens, and, of course, collect some eggs.  We explored the greenhouses and the veg patch, picked apples from the trees, and sampled raspberries and blackberries from the bushes. 

It's nearly a quarter century since TP was their age and I had forgotten how easy it is to amuse youngsters with the simplest of activities.  A half filled watering can allowed them to play at gardening, and they loved splashing water over the plants, whilst carefully avoiding the bumblebees!

We had a lovely day sat out in the sun, and they left around three in the afternoon. I have to be honest and report that 30% and I were both exhausted by their antics, and retired for a long snooze after their departure.

Now on to Saturday.

Evesham is hosting its annual Fishing Festival this weekend., and this has become a bit of a pilgrimage for Bubbles and me.  Basically it is an opportunity for us to trawl through the various pop-up stalls to find that "must have" angling essential at a bargain price.

I picked up Bubbs at ten o'clock and we drown down to the Evesham Crown Meadow. Anglers were setting up on the river bank for the competition that would take place later in the day, and tents and gazebos had been pitched to create a temporary market place on the meadow.

We spent an hour, or so, checking out the bargains and I wandered away with a Shimano spinning rod, a new handle for my landing net and a pair of curved forceps. Bubbles was a little more restrained, coming away with a couple of bags of boilies.

I was back at home for lunch, and just in time to wave off 30% ... she had arranged to spend the afternoon with one of her chums.

My afternoon was filled, making another batch of tomato soup, as the tomato plants are producing a seemingly endless supply at the moment.

In the evening we headed down to the local pub. 30% was under the impression that a local couple were performing this evening. It transpired that she was mistaken, so we ended up chatting with a couple and enjoying a glass of wine in the evening sun.

A trip to China Twon provided sustenance, and we then collapsed on the sofa in front of the TV. 

Recently the BBC has been showing a number of subtitled documentaries about Japanese craftsmen and restoration experts.  For some reason, which we cannot explain. these have been absolutely gripping television!  The intricate processes followed and ritualistic approach that is adhered to are fascinating to watch.  Over the past couple of days we have seen Samurai swords, Kimonos and Pottery being hand made. Each documentary left us wanting more.