a soggy weekend


perlmonger with an owl
Originally uploaded by ramtops

We still weren’t well, really, so not much was done. Friday night saw us at a “bring your own” supper party. We brought chicken wings, and a stilton and walnut quiche, and just as well, as nobody else had brought anything apart from a bowl of rice salad and some puddings! We didn’t stay long, as perlmonger was drooping; I bore him home, and he was in bed by 9 p.m., and fast asleep when I went to check on him at 10.

On Saturday we did pretty much nothing, apart from an amble up to the Local Shoppe for some essentials – veg, milk, cream, big box of Maltesers … We spent the afternoon slumped in front of the television, with laptops tohand. Managed to construct a rather splendid pork stir fry, and a nectarine and bramble flan, of which more later.

Sunday dawned bright and clear ^H^H dreary and moist once more, but we dragged ourselves up to Ashton Court for an event put on by the council to celebrate 50 years of public ownership (or something). I’m ashamed to say we took the car, even though it’s only about half an hour’s walk, but we still weren’t feeling great, and getting caught in the rain was something I’d rather avoid. In the event, it’s just as well …

It was damp when we left, started raining just as we arrived at about 12.30, and *pissing* it down when we left at 4. But we had an enjoyable time – the raptor chap was terrific, despite his faux mediaeval costume; he really engaged with his audience, particularly the children, and some small persons (and indeed, one larger one) got a change to get up very close and personal with various birds.

We consumed roast pig innabun with [whisper] chips, and then had a cuppatea and a piece of very nice walnut and coffee cake. When we got home we had to hang the waterproofs up over the bath to drip, and my boots might be dry now. Cheese scones for supper and copious mugs of tea.

And now, Monday. Bah.

an early start


two forms of air transport
Originally uploaded by ramtops

The alarm went off at stupid o’clock this morning, and although we were very tempted to say “soddit”, we did actually struggle out of bed.

5.45 a.m. saw us setting off to Ashton Court at the other end of the village, to see the Mass Ascent at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Despite having lived here for 9 years, this is the first time we’ve actually done this, as we are normally elsewhere the second weekend in August.

I’m so glad we went – it was a beautiful morning, sunny and warm, and spectacular balloony things all over the place. Half of Bristol was there, I think!

If we have the energy (and that’s a big if, as we’ve already done about 5 miles today, and my arthritis is complaining), we might go back for the Night Glow this evening.

And tomorrow, that Lunnon, to see Show of Hands in Regents Park. Which is nice.