Then we popped over the A4 to Silbury Hill.The stream that we were walking by is marked on the map as the River Kennet. I checked out where the source us meant to be and its descibed as Swallowhead Springs. This is odd as its downstream of where the river is marked on the map. According to some its a sacred place so people leave offerings like ribbons and candles. We had seen some in a tree by a stream where the footpath turns north so 

maybe they had been put in the wrong spot.Had a nice lunch in the Red Lion, a pub in the village of Avebury very close to the stones. It was Green King but they had a good pint of Ramsbury Gold on. Food was pretty good too, I had moule frites, as was all the covid stuff. Our first time inside a pub. Stopped off at the big Sainsbury's just off the M4 as James and Amy were planning to cook. Really tasty falafels, flat bread, tzatziki, halloumi and salad. We then settled down to watch Dark Waters. Went cycling with James and Amy on Wednesday morning. Did my long morning ride along the Kennet to Theale and back via Hardwick Stud and Mapledurham. Even went over a motorway footbridge.

M had made tomato soup for lunch. I managed a quick burst on the guitar with James on mandolin then we played Viticulture. I was actually winning for a while. I'm purple.

Got a takeaway from the Bluegrass place washed down with champagne and played 6 Nimmt and Codenames. Predictably the younger generation had the upperhand. On Thursday we had a trip to Oxford as Amy had never been. Decided to drive for covid reasons and it was quite straight forward. Unfortunately lots of places were closed, like the colleges, but we had a good wonder round and went to the Ashmolian where we saw Jeannie and Davy. I had a spooky moment being alone in a room full of staues although it doesn't look like it in the photo.Had lunch in the Bookbinders in Jericho and walked back slong the canal. Oxford was pretty quiet. It was the first day I'd worn long trousers since lock down although I did wear them in the evening at Peter Scoggins' party. Played a game of Patchwork with James, thought I might have won but lost by 1 point. Amy cooked a pasta dish and we watched Denial. Went for a walk based around the Unicorn on Friday and had lunch there. Someone had been building dens in the woods.

Played Viticulture and 6 Nimmt when we got back and I actually won both. James and Amy went to see Josh and Vicki in the evening so we just snacked and watched a couple of films. James had told me of a more scientific method of making coffee so tried that on Saturday morning. A coarser grind, about 5 secs, leave the water for a minute after boiling. Let the coffee stand for 4 minutes then stir and most of the grounds will sink. Its then easy to press. They left after breakfast, about 10 15 and got back about 6ish. The Few Dollars More poster had replace the old Reading boundaries map so I put that up upstairs. Did a bit of music in the afternoon and bit of prep for going away the next day. Cooked a lamb tagine and watcyed a couple of films in the evening. The Contender with Gary Oldman and Munich about the aftermath of the Munich olypics hostage taking. Not seen either before and both pretty good. Google Maps gave conflicting routes to Totnes on my phone and M's Ipad. The Ipad said the M4 and my phone said A303 as a section of the M4 is closed. We went for the latter but there were quite a few hold ups and a tractor to contend with. Still got down in about 4 hours though so not bad. After che king in at The Bull went for a bit of a wonder. Looks like a nice town, lots of trendy shops.Very picturesque by the river, a bit hilly though. Had a pint of Jail Ale in a pub called the King William IV. Lots of hand sanitisers but no track and trace at all. First time I come across that.