Day 267 - September 24th

Today we took Steven back to university. I paused for a moment during the afternoon to take a photo of the impressive bronze statue of Brunel.

Steven told me that the statue of Isambard Kingdom Brunel was supposed to have a cigar in his mouth but it was removed because of political correctness!

I forgot to take a photo of Steven's halls but managed to borrow this photo from the internet until I can take my own.

Day 266 - September 23rd

A trip to the cinema this afternoon to see Kingsman - The Golden Circle.

Day 265 - September 22nd

After yesterdays rain, this little chap had settled himself on the side of the patio furniture.

Day 264 - September 21st

This afternoon after a short rain shower Lara and I spotted a partial rainbow beyond our back garden.

Day 263 - September 20th

This afternoon Wayne and I attended a business workshop at Hatfield. It was an interesting afternoon.

Day 262 - September 19th

The new ten pound note was issued by the Bank of England last week and today I saw one for the first time.

Like the new five pound notes, it is made of polymer. On the reverse side it has an image of Jane Austin. It is unique in that it is the first bank note to also have a tactile feature to help blind and partially sited users.

Day 261 September 18th

Yesterday evening I decided to give my office chair a clean. As the seat was a little damp after being cleaned, I left it in the warm kitchen to dry. I was somewhat taken a back on returning home today to find that Tux had taken up residence!

Day 260 - September 17th

With my brother ans sister-in-law visiting from America, we went out for Sunday lunch today at a nearby pub.

The food was very nice and the portions huge! 

Day 259 - September 16th

Today we went to Hitchin. I have seen this metal sculpture from a distance many times but never managed to photograph it before as it is located beside a very busy road.

It's 'The Coopers Sculpture' and represents two coopers in their traditional hats and aprons and a dog and is located the entrance to the Cooper's Yard.

Day 258 - September 15th

Another memory from when the children were young - sycamore keys. We used to watch then twizzle in the air like helicopters.

Day 257 - September 14th

Orchid in Dad's conservatory.

Day 256 - September 13th

Lara made cheesecake today.

Day 255 - September 12th

Cyclamen in the garden are starting to flower.

Day 254 - September 11th

The children gave us a beautiful bouquet for our wedding anniversary. The huge white lilies have just come out and look stunning.

Day 253 - September 10th

Today Christopher's classic car club met up at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford. There were lots of Triumph owner's cars on show for visitors to the museum to see.

We met up with Christopher later in the day to look at the cars and also the museum exhibits. It was over seven years since we had last visited Duxford and whilst some exhibits were familiar other were not

Day 252 - September 9th

There are several horse chestnut trees beside the road where I walk Millie each day. At the moment the pavement and edge of the road outside one particular house are covered in conkers. I have resisted picking any up but when walking Millie today I picked this one up, in it's freshly opened spiky case and popped it in my pocket. I was reminded of past autumns when the children would pester us to take them out to collect conkers to hang on strings. They are all too old to want to play conkers now and no doubt this will be the only conker which finds it's way into our home this year.

Day 251 - September 8th

Anniversary flowers.

Day 250 - September 7th

Wayne sent me this photo this evening, It was taken when he was locking up at work.

I was puzzled as to what this strange creature, seen crawling along the ground might be. On googling it, we discovered it was an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar. Apparently the moth is named after the caterpillar's resemblance to an elephants trunk.

I found this picture of the moth, which bears no resemblance to the caterpillar, on the internet.

Day 249 - September 6th

Back to school day for Lara.

Day 248 - September 5th

Today was out Pearl '30th' Wedding Anniversary. No time for celebrating today, but we did find time to open cards we received and the children surprised us with a gorgeous bouquets of flowers and a bottle of bubbly which we will certainly enjoy.

Day 247 - September 4th

Our summer hanging baskets will soon be taken down but these Calibrachoa (commonly called Million Bells') are still looking amazing.

Day 246 - September 3rd

I sampled a cox apple from the tree today. It looked lovely and red and ripe but it was quiet sour when I took a bite.

Day 245 - September 2nd

Bees and other insects were out in force today and were particularly drawn to the Ice Plants.

Day 244 - September 1st

This evening we went to Wrest Park for Chapterhouse outdoor production of Jane Eyre. 

It was a dry evening (apart from a light rain shower in the interval) although it got a little chilly as the evening went on)

It was very well attended and although there were quite a few people in front of us we still had a good view of the stage. 

Outdoor theatre was a new experience for us but we really enjoyed the evening and are looking forward to future productions.

Day 243 - August 31st

Our purple chillies have now turned red.

Day 242 - August 30th

Sloes are now starting to appear on our walks.

Day 241 - August 29th

Huge clusters of rose hips hang in the hedgerows now where previously roses flowered.

Day 240 - August 28th

Bank Holiday Monday today so Millie got an extra long walk over the fields. This field hadn't been ploughed yet. When it is, it will not be so easy to walk across.