12th August 2026
We looked at the partial eclipse of the sun from the village green,projecting its image onto white card through a colander.
Result on the right.
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12th August 2026We looked at the partial eclipse of the sun from the village green,projecting its image onto white card through a colander. Result on the right. | |
26th July 2026We made it through the tour of five locations and seven perfomances with "Flora's Heatherley" in grand style. All the actors were well cast, and all enjoyed the performances. Audience numbers were slightly down compared to previous touring shows, but the experience we gave the cast was worth it – probably the happiest show we've been involved in. See photos here. I also visited Flora's bust in Liphook Library along with Jo Thompson, Chair of Buckingham Old Gaol Museum and her husband Ian (see picture right) – it was a hot day! |
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12th July 2026We had the first Dress Rehearsal for "Flora's Heatherley" today, and it went rather well. I hope that's not tempting fate!On the right is the cast outside Headley Village Hall. Before the rehearsal I was interviewed by Mark Simpson from the local Shine Radio, and you can listen to the result here. |
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Just back from a successful
long weekend in Corné in France with our village Twinning Association.
Here are some photos.
 The coach arrives at 5am! |
 ... and we arrive at Portsmouth |
 We visited Saumur Chateau |
 ... with its dungeon |
 ... and its many steps |
 ... and its view over the town |
 Picnic in the grounds |
 Then to a wine cave ... |
 ... with strange creatures on the walls |
 The 'foreign wines' section at LeClerc |
 Angers castle grounds |
 View over the Maine river |
 Japanese front to Angers cathedral |
 Wholly vape?? |
 "Here's looking at you!" |
 We visited Chateau de Lathan |
 Walked up the drive ... |
 ... visited the strange tunnels ... |
 and had our group photo on the steps |
 Montage of moments |
 The farewells ... |
 Nothing could go wrong, surely |
 Our coach left the boat without us!! |
 ... but the lady in orange got it back for us |
4th May 2026"May
the Fourth be with you". I ran another "Here's Headley" but
this
time on the sports field rather than the village green, as it was in
association with the opening of the refurbished Pavilion. |
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25th April 2026To Hastings for Emma's birthday. Went to her shop in the shopping precinct (photo right) where she runs courses on making mosaics and other art-related things, then to the Royal Standard to play 'Cheesy Bingo' (we won twice), then for a meal at a steakhouse. Stayed at the White Rock hotel overnight. |
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Back from an 8-day cruise up the west coast of France – here are some pics ...
 Wire-less trams in Bordeaux |
 We ate BIG in Bordeaux! |
 ... and Jo drank big too!! |
 The 'mirror pool' in Bordeaux |
 Naval columns in Bordeaux |
 WW2 submarine pens in Bordeaux ... |
 ... now have an art display inside |
 Mrs Olsen keeps watch on our ship |
 MS Borealis from Ile de Ré bridge |
 Saint-Martin-de-Ré ... |
 ... where time has no meaning |
 But there's time for a wobbly beer! |
 Moored at St Malo |
 Port Levi |
 Chateau de Ravalet, Cherbourg |
 Me and Melanie bear |
1st April 2026I saw the light at the Folk Club at the Crown this evening! Thank you Rajula for snapping the occasion! |
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27th March 2026They cut down a mature pine tree on Arford Common recently and I tried to count the number of rings to see how old it was.I estimated around 120, which would put its 'birth' date in the early 1900s. This aligns nicely with the history of the common, which was allottment land until 1903 when it became a 'recreation ground'. |
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11th March 2026To Brooklands Museum
with Zak. Good visit in good weather. |
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I managed to clip a kerb with the car on Saturday, and it punctured the side wall of the front tyre and we had to be trailered home – so today it was gently, gently to the local tyre garage for a replacement. All done now, and only the wallet was hurt!
20 February 2026Today our group of 'Friday Strollers' had a late Christmas Lunch in the Royal Exchange for those who had missed the previous ones. A good use of a grey February day! |
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Today our landline phones went digital. Not entirely sure what effect this will have on the phone syetem, but it meant having a new router with a new password and having to reprogramme all the various bits of kit that work from it. Dil found that her mobile was too old to run the app to sort of Alexa and had to use my newer one – which gave it some use, as I still havn't got round to weaning myself off my old unsmart model.
1 February 2026It's been a rather wet start to the year, but seven of us braved the elements to do the February monthly walk, and although it was rather muddy underfoot in places we were blessed with a break in the rain.Here we are at 'Karen's Corner' in Standford – L to R: Laurence (Diana's son), James (whose phone took the photo when he waved at it), Fi, Neil, Mel, me and Diana. |
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18 January 2026Another pantomime, another opportunity to play my bass!The photo shows me and other Jo (on piano) and Zak (on percussion) – a tight little group. This year it's Mother Goose for which someone procured at 7ft goose for the closing act! The pic shows it in daylight at the village fete. |
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