Monday, November 10, 2025

Published Monday, November 10, 2025 by with 0 comment

Edith Sitting - Monday November 10th 2025.

We looked after Madeline and Owen for most of Monday as Amy was flying to Canada to see baby Emma. The initial plan was that James would drop them off but Owen had a bit of a temperature so he worked in the shed in case he was needed. Owen perked up a bit after lunch so we took them to soft play. Went to a RSAC meeting in the evening. Did my 5 hills ride on Tuesday morning. The first time since I had the bike overhauled. It's got a wider spread of gears now so I didn't have to go down to the lowest. Spotted this crop if yellow flowers which seemed totally the wrong time of year for rapeseed. A bit of googling revealed that it may have been mustard. I passed through Green Park round about lunch time and it was good to see lots of office workers out walking, a lot of them quite young. The new bridge over the Kennet is now open. It wasn't on Sunday so must have just happened. 
Did the sound for Webber at RSAC in the evening. It's a musical written by Grant Sharkey about Andrew Lloyd Webber. Just a two hander. Pretty much full for a sit down at RSAC. Only 55 mins as written for the Edinburgh Fringe. Went swimming on Wednesday morning. James and the kids came over for pizza in the evening.
M did a talk for The Civic Society at Watlington House on Thursday morning.It went well, lots if questions. I acted as chauffeur and did a walk whilst she was talking. I managed to get into the back of the cemetery that is at cemetery junction but when I got to the front it was closed up for some conservation work so I climbed over the wall. It seems to be called Reading Old Cemetery. Went to see URZ beat Stevenage 1 0 in the evening with Ralph. A rare right footed shot from Savage. Puts us up to 12th. We went over to Blackheath on Friday to babysit Edith for the weekend as Tom and Sally went to Lilles. It was Tom's 40th birthday presentfrom Sally. On Saturday she read some Beatrix Potter and then we went to Greenwich Park. Meanwhile.We walked over to Blackheath in the afternoon.On Sunday morning went to the National Maritime Museum then Charlton Park in the afternoon. All by bus this time but still a fair bit of walking. Tom and Sally got back just after 8pm. We headed back on Monday. I'd been feeling a bit shivery off and on over the weekend and been taking panadol. I thought it had gone away but it came back in the evening.

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Tuesday, November 04, 2025

Published Tuesday, November 04, 2025 by with 0 comment

The Raven's Return - Sunday November 2nd 2025

Last week Warren let me know they had 2 tickets for the Workd Cup group game in Tironto on 26th June. They git them from the visa card lottery. I entered but didn't hear. On Monday the process of selling the next lit of tickets started so I entered that draw.
Did the Castle Tap open mic in the evening. Just me as it was Tony's opening night as Titus Andronicus at the Progress Theatre. Not many in. Did Whiskey In My Whiskey, Bad Man's Blood and Oval Room. Dan Kemp came on at the end and was really good. He's a member of Left Foot Forward with Jake and Adam who run the open mic.  Did a ride out to Stoke Row on Tuesday morning with Kelvin and Graham. We stopped off at the Imma bakery for a coffee where  I was surprised to find Anders, the 4th member of Left Foot Forward works. Took M to the docs in the afternoon as her cough has come back. They prescribed more antibiotics. An AFD. Did the Southcote lock walk on Wednesday morning but anti clockwise. Shortly after taking this snap on the disused railway line I heard what I thought might be a raven. I then bumped into Adrian Lawson who confirmed that it was as he'd been watching a pair. He said they used to be quite common but were presicuted so it's good that they're back. I later saw one along the Kennet. The new bridge is still not open but the graffiti artist's have found it.
It's not just books you can get halfway up Garnet Hill.
Another AFD. Went swimming on Thursday morning. James and the kids came over for tea. Amy had been working away and joined us later. M went to BRO on Friday morning and took some interesting photos of maps of the Coley area from 1937. I did the sound at RSAC with Alex in the evening for Puma Theory, Baby Maker and Belizaire. 
Puma Theory all had in ear monitors with their own separate mixes which was a first for RSAC. Went to watch URZ against non-league Carlisle United on Saturday as it was new manager Leam Richardson's first game in charge. Had to sit in the east stand. We were 2 0 up going into injury time but managed to concede 2 goals which took the game into extra time. We then lost 3 2. Not a great start. Only 3,929 there. Had the society walk on Sunday based round The Leather Bottle ay Matingley, organised by Becky.
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Monday, October 27, 2025

Published Monday, October 27, 2025 by with 0 comment

Pembrokeshire - Sunday October 26th 2025.

Spent most on Monday working on the recordings I made at Ian's. Got a message from Penno asking me to sign a petition about oil pollution in the Kennet harming swans which is obviously what I saw last week. Picked up my Ridgeback from Evans. In the evening we went to a talk about the silk weaving industry in Reading. It was in St Mary's (in Castle St) church hall, down a little alley next to the church. Never been there before. An AFD. On Tuesday I went to see a consultant (Mr Constable) about my cataracts in the hospital in Coley Park. The plan is to book me in and have them set for long distance. Afterwards me and M went for a walk to try and find the spot where William Berkeley Monck was killed in a shooting.  accident. I've noticed a lot if acorns this autumn and it was mentioned in a news item.
It's called a mast year when it happens.
Did the Playhatch, Dunsden, Caversham ride to try out the bike in the afternoon. They seem to have done a good job. When I left Ian's on Sunday I couldn't find one if my harmonica cases. Ian found it today. We think Blue was the culprit.
Went to see URZ beat Northampton 1 0 in the evening with Ralph. Moved us up from 22nd to 16th. Went swimming on Wednesday morning then started booking stuff up for our Canada trip. Did the Castle Tap folk session in the evening. Played Motorcycle Emptiness and Helpless. Drove to Rob n Anj's new place in Pembrokeshire on Thursday. Took the dogs out for a walk on the river Nevern estuary then had too much to drink. On Friday me and M walked into Newport which is a nice little town. Ended up on the other side of the estuary. 
The plan after that was to go down to the Bluestone Brewery taproom. I decided to walk via Mynydd Carningli, the  mountain up the back of their house but I didn't quite make it to the top.  Its 347 meters. I managed to the end on the orange path near Carn Ingli.
I reckon that's 305 meters which is almost exactly 1000 feet so I still climbed a mountain.
The taproom was very busy with a great atmosphere. I bought a t-shirt. Had excellent fish and chips later. Did the dog walk again on Saturday. There was somebody kite surfing.
Popped over to a burial chamber on the way back.
We then drove over to St David's where the Boia music festival was happening. Caught a couple of acts in The Farmers Arms, Dominic Hooper and Tomas Newman. M had a bad night coughing so we set off straight after breakfast on Sunday. We knew the M4 was going to be closed near Bristol but still went that way so it took us a bit longer to get back. Found out URZ had sacked Noel Hunt after only managing a draw on Saturday which left us in 19th position. Sad but probably the right decision.





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Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Published Tuesday, October 21, 2025 by with 0 comment

Roy And The Rogers Reunion - Sunday October 19th 2025

Amy and the grandkids popped round briefly on Monday morning for some dropping off and picking up of stuff. Cooked slow roasted pork belly for the first time. Pretty good but made a few mistakes.  Will be better next time. An AFD. Went to the dentist on Tuesday morning, all good, then went with M to suss out Watlington House as she's giving a talk there. Interesting place with nice gardens hidden away. Then I did our urban walk and noticed a few things. Eclectic Games has moved again. 

The double storey retail/hospitality units at the bottom of Huntley Wharf are being converted to single storey with flats above. 

Our favourite derelict building is up for auction with a starting price of £850,000.
As I was going over the gasworks bridge I wondered if it might have been built by Griffith who built Kings Bridge. Couldn't see anything to indicate who did but saw these markings on some girders.

 
Googling didn't help but I did find something that said it was built between 1881 and 1882 and designed by Edward Blake. Some people from Swan Support were doing something in the Kennet watched by some guys from Thames Water. It looked like possibly some sort of oil leakage. Saw this worrying sign on the other side under Horseshoe Bridge.

Another AFD.
Went for a flu jab on Wednesday morning. I was booked in for covid too but they've changed the rules and you now need to be 75 or have a health reason. On the way back took a photo if this milestone down Bath Rd.
T&J Perry had a foundry in Katesgrove.
As I've lost my distance glasses went for another eye test as my vision has got worse. My prescription hasn't changed but the cataracts have got worse so they have referred me to get them checked out. In the mean time I've ordered another cheap pair of glasses. M went to the cinema and for a meal with Mandy and Fiona. Another AFD for me. Went swimming on Thursday morning. When I got there I realised I was wearing my slippers. Think I got away with it though. JAMO came round for dinner. Set off to Ian's in Sheffield on Friday morning. All trains to Paddington were cancelled due to a person being struck by a train in the Ealing area. Went via Waterloo.  Had to stand as far as Bracknell. The train I then got from St Pancras was delayed due to trespassers on the line in the Radlett area. Had to stand as far as Leicester. As I left Reading I heard an announcement that platform 8 was closed to the public. M later found out from the Reading Chronicle that someone had died there. Not a great day for train travelling. Rick picked me up from Sheffield Station. John was already there. After a fine chilli we had a go at playing Start Wearing Purple with Ian on keys, John on drums, me on guitar and Rick on accordion. It turned into a late night. Did a walk early on Saturday afternoon out to Ox Stones.We had a go at Brain Damage when we got back with me and Rick on guitar and Ian on keys. Roy turned up just around beer time. Rick moved to drums and we tried I Should've and Spider. Also had another go at Purple with Roy singing. Another late night. Roy and Sue came over on Sunday and gave me a lift to the station. No problems getting back. A great weekend.
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Monday, October 13, 2025

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Tom's 40th - Sunday October 12th 2025

Lazy did Monday, housework, Canada planning and guitar. Went to Windsor on Tuesday. M was visiting The Royal Archives in the Castle. She was hoping to find correspondence from John Berkeley Monk to Lord Melbourne about the Swing Riots. She had to go to the pass office first. I did a walk in the great park along the long walk. It's very restrictive. I wouldn't want to get too near this guy.
These looked a bit friendlier.
Walked up to the George III statue at the top. Always a fine view back.M had had a reasonably successful visit to the archives. Didn't find what she wanted but did find a letter from a chap from Tidmarsh to Lord Melourne on a similar subject. Spotted some more interesting architecture on Slough Station.
Keep forgetting the Elizabeth Line is on the tube.They also announced as we were pulling into Reading to change for mainline stations. Met up with Penno and Clive Rogerson in the Allied Arms late afternoon. On Wednesday cycled out to Blackbushe airport with Kelvin and Graham. Lynda Murphy had told me it was a good place to take kids to watch the planes taking off and landing. It was really busy as Wednesday is bikers day. It's hard to take a good photo if a lot of planes. Interesting area but no planes on the move.Unfortunately got bitten by a dog on the way back. We phoned Tom early evening to wish him a happy 40th. He'd tried to get Edith to do the same but she wasn't having any of it. We then went to do the Retreat quiz where we finished second. Went swimming on Thursday morning. Picked the grandkids up from nursery and went over to no 81 for dinner. There were 3 main items of news. Kat was in labour. Amy has been promoted and is now head of Scotland. As a result they are planning to move back up there probably to Perth. Found out on Friday morning that Kat had given birth to baby girl named Emma. 8lb 13oz. Both doing well.  We had stopped at Kings Bridge over the River Loddon on Wednesday's ride and noted it was made by S Griffith of Reading. Graham did some research and discovered that there's a coal hole in Castle Hill made my them. I found it outside no 126.
There was also this in Castle Street outside Talbot House.
And this further down the hill outside Harrisons Solicitors.
Someone was being optimistic at the Bottle bank on Saturday.
We went over to Blackheath later for a meal at The Ivy with SET. It was Tom's birthday present to M from last year. He had promised her a slap up meal when he got a job. Really good meal we all had sirloins apart from Tom who had a burger. Later we had baked camenbert and rilette back at their's. On Sunday we went into central London and met up with JAMO at the Transport Museum in Covent Garden. We then had a pizza for lunch and travelled back to Reading with JAMO.
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