Drains. Mostly
Today I have been messing about with drains. Mostly. Well, mostly in between work. Not that messing about with drains isn't work, just not the sort of work I was planning for today. That all changed at 11pm last night when the bath decided to empty itself into the shower. Clever stuff plumbing. It tried that trick back in the summer. I thought I'd fixed it then, but it was just waiting for the perfect moment to spring the mucky drain water into the bathroom experience. All fixed now. Well, I can hope.
Pre-Dinner Snack
I was taking too long cooking dinner (it was a new receipe and I'd missed the cook in the oven for 60mins bit when checking earlier in the day). To keep hungry mouths and rumbling stomachs at bay, some cheese and tomatoes and stuff.
Early Brita
Fay's Christmas present. Damsons and Susie Cooper by Brita Granström. It's beautiful.
We usually have a rule to not open pressies until the 25ᵗʰ. But time this year…
(The book is Bird Life of the Seasons edited by Charles A. Hall and published in 1911.)
The sound of fall
The fog hadn't lifted for two days. Whatever the forecast claimed. Distracted by an unusual noise, I realised I was hearing the sound of autumn leaves falling. This is what the sound looked like.
End of 6k
6.03km and 3 PRs but brov is still waaaaay ahead of me (and F is still waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of sight).
Footpath, what footpath
This is the start of footpath 390/8/10 (as designated on the definitive map for Oxfordshire). If you look closely you can see where it stops.
Lazy Sunday
Perfect lazy Sunday. Watching squirrels chasing the rabbits, and checking where they bury the nuts. Our rabbits are very clever, not many can bury nuts whilst being chased by a squirrel.
Ottolenghi's Ragù
First recipe from Ottolenghi. A success. This more veg less meat is going to be fun. Much fun. And flavour. Much flavour.
A Great recommendation from Kevin. :bow:
Snap
I'm not 100% sure how to take this one, but I'm going to go with "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
(But, who is imitating who‽)
Ghost Run
Between cooking dinner and an evening work call an after dark run to Shillingford and back. The big house on Shillingford hill appeared to float in the sky above the silent swift running Thames.
Walking in the rain at the Clumps
Mabli's puppy classes were cancelled. Maybe because of the weather. The news didn't put us off walking at The Clumps, although it probably should have.
Ewok said "Next time I'll stay in the car". Dogs these days.
Expanding Books
Every month a book drops through the letter box from the lovely @wallingfordbook.
Every month I think "there's no way I'd ever pick that" and every month (so far!) the book has been a delight.
Expanding my comfort zone :)
Cows
The cows are strip-grazing1 along the lower meadows. If you look really closely (or zoom in a looooooooot) you can glimpse the pod.
They're keeping the lonely tree company.
Benson Lock
In lock down #1 the water inside the lock was crystal clear. No traffic to stir up the sendiment. It would make a decent outdoor pool!
Benson Memorial
Walking past the memorial on the way back from the dentist.
Home Office Views
Three views from around the office. One day I may get round to painting. Any recommendations for the colo(u)r?
F and E
F and Ewok. Fay thought the better angle was from the floor. I blame the glass of red with dinner. Ewok was a tad confused.
Emergency Stop
"When I hit the dashboard with my clipboard I'd like you to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop as quickly and safely as possible."
Remembrance Flight
Remembrance flight. Don't forget.
> First they came for the Communists > And I did not speak out > Because I was not a Communist
> Then they came for the Socialists > And I did not speak out > Because I was not a Socialist
> Then they came for the trade unionists > And I did not speak out > Because I was not a trade unionist
> Then they came for the Jews > And I did not speak out > Because I was not a Jew
> Then they came for me > And there was no one left > To speak out for me
Martin Niemöller (1892–1984).
> The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
J.F.K, 1961 (attr. Edmund Burke).
Muddy Walks
A muddy morning walk with Mr Ewok and Mr Yogi.
Morning Fields
A morning with mist and sun and atmosphere. Would have been a nice morning to try and get the view from the clumps, but I think the lie in is preferable.
Stocking Up
With lockdown #2 looming, the senior branch of the family lost no time in checking and restocking supplies. There's enough pasta here for {insert political statement about school dinners at halfterm here}.
Brightwell Footpath
The footpath from Brightwell. A gentle run back from the garden centre with VFFs.
Christmas, too soon?
It was the Sunday before lockdown, and all round the house, the family was stiring, "what about a tree?" they didn't shout.
Still, just in case.
River Stour
The River Stour at Stirminster Marshall. A post-pub lunch stroll with K&M and the lovely hounds.
Halloween
F ready for a Halloween Party. Small gathering is probably a better description than party. It's six afterall.
Eggs
We're shopping as if H was still at home. We're collecting a large-ish stock of eggs. Lots of eggs.