Archives for 2021

Jigtastic

Jigsaw

F is the Covid isolation jigsaw-champ.

Isolation Party

Jigsaws

The boy's (re-christened Bubba-and-squeak for the duration) aren't too impressed at the furniture rearrangements necessary for the great isolation jigsaw party.

Isolation Project

The music (Joy Division‽) is ready, yes only whole albums and selected at random. No skips allowed.

Wine and cheese

Obviously it would be completely wrong to have a party in such circumstances, which is why this isn't a party. It's wine and cheese.

Proportions

Bubble and Squeak

Dear Interwebz, anyone know the right proportion of red cabbage to squeak? Looks like we might be heading for 10:1.

Oh Deer

Covid Christmas

A Merry Covid Christmas

Covid Christmas

Covid Christmas

Covid Christmas

Covid Christmas

Yes, a triple jabbed (2 ⨉ AstraZeneca + a Pfizer Booster), Covid locked down Christmas. Déjà vu.

Restrictions in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Yet not in England.

Boris Christmas

> "It’s the lies that make you want to kill yourself…”

The Dispossessed, Ursula K. Le Guin

Coast Walk

Coast walk

Coast walk

Coast walk

Proper Walk

A coast walk, and a return to the proper walks.

Blenheim Lights

Lights

An unexpected treat. Thanks H!

Post Birthday Dinner Peramble

Bridge

OXO

Bleak

Path

In the bleak mid-winter.

Escape to the fields

Pigs

Escaping to give Positive H some space to isolate.

Eighteen

Eighteen

Dinner

Happy Birthday Little F

Early Tree

Tree

If any more evidence were needed that this has been a topsey-turvey year; the tree went up before F's birthday.

Mind my toe

Toe

That looks perfectly normal to me.

Back in the office

View from the desk

Today I was in a meeting with five other people. 3 were working from home. 3 were in 3 different offices. That's the first time we've had more than 1 person calling in from the office. Given all the other news today, it'll also likely be the last for a while…

Where is everybody?

Where did everyone go?

Ewok wanted to know where everybody had gone. Back to London in their Range Rovers thought Yogi.

Anniversary Walk

Treyarnon

Every December we try and get away for a couple of days. This year was celebrating twenty-four with Lovely Fay.

x♡x

Padstow Lights

Padstow Christmas Lights

Pretty lights.

Sunday Post-Lunch Stroll

Beach Walk

A mini-tradition. Pub lunch and a walk (in either order).

Beach Walk

Beach Walk

Beach Walk

Bracing.

No unauthorised parking

No unauthorised parking

A flat white view

Waiting for a flat white

A flat white view. So called because it's the view you get while waiting for your flat white.

Other flat white views used to be available before they knocked down Leadenhall Court (and more importantly CoffeeWorks) to make way for 35-stories of office space.

Good morning Rock

Good morning padstow

A peak of Rock down the street.

Rock

Which, on closer inspection, has lots of big houses behind walls, hedges and fences.

Crime prevention and public safety

Where you're monitored by CCTV for crime prevention and public safety. Yeah, right.

Rock

The most awesome beaches.

Rock

And a flag to wave hello to the ferry.

Christmas Festival

Christmas Light Parade

The Padstow Christmas Festival was cancelled. Because some people are sensible. But there was Christmas lights, fireworks, and a Santa Parade (with boats!). All of which we managed to miss. Planning.

The always Christmas shop

But the Always Christmas Shop was there. It's always there.

British Wind Power

Wind Power

A spot of wind and the wind-assisted surf vehicles were out in force. Some were flying.

Rock Dog

Padstow Visitors

Yogi enjoying a spot of scrambling. He's better at it than me.

Visitors!

Padstow Visitors

We had visitors. Second visitors. F did an impression of J standing on her door step, chatting to everyone and looking over to Rock.

Padstow Visitors

Padstow Visitors

Padstow Visitors

We walked the beach where it was blowing an ‘absolute hooley’ .

Padstow Visitors

Which was great for grabbing some action pix of the annual grains of sand 10,000 meter sprint race.

Sunbeams

Sandbank

Sunbeams on sand banks.

Courtyard Coffee

Then back home for a coffee and planning chat, around the table that's been with us since George Street.

Courtyard Coffee

It was a tad chilly, but F decided to quadruple wrap and was therefore nice and snug.

Ocean View

Dune Grass

A glimpse of the Atlantic peaking around the headland.

The peppers

Peppers

One of the small plates. (Early) anniversary dinner at Barnaby's. Lovely.

Padstow Harbour

Padstow

The morning dog walk view of the harbour. Experiencing the weather.

The Memorial

War Memorial

From Tommy's bench.

Foot prints

Footprints

Morning Running View

Morning Run

Morning Run

It's been a (long) while but worth it for the views this morning.

Pretty Lights

Lights

Setting up some winter lights on the back patio.

Lights

Just in time for a sprinkling of snow.

Lights

And a magical view from the tub.

Yogi Leaves

Yogi Leaves

"Oh, he's still here?" said Ewok, with a slight tinge of disappointment.

Blue Tin Comedy

Mike Stand

Sat in a field on the coldest and stormyest(!!) night of the year for a laugh.

A great evening of entertainment from Charlie, Josh, Angela, Des and the two guys who danced on stage at the end. Impressive on a pallet.

A space

Space created

Woodinville bear was impressed with the space, but was a little worried about sliding off the new plinth.

Still not recovered

One shattered Ewok

Still not recovered from the weekend.

Car park construction

Car park construction

The winter roses have a great view...

Car park construction

...of the carpark that M is constructing. Bikes are so much less hassle.

It started off as a quick "M can grade that for you with his digger, much easier than a shovel" and escalated into architecture with recycled-sleepers heaven.

Morning coffee view

View

I could, should, have been running. Instead I had a coffee and soaked in the view.

Dune

Curzon Oxford

Dune with F. 9/10. Loud.

Seattle Wagon

Seattle Wagon

Spotted out and about in Oxford. A long way from its natural habitat.

Student care package

Student Care Package?

"Anything you need us to bring H?"

"A honey roast gammon would be nice."

"Sure, we'll bring 2."

Any bets for how long they'll last?

Beacon Hill

Untitled

"Well that'll end up on the c r o s s o a k blog" said H. So true.

A memory of a pre-lunch recovery walk at Beacon Hill. After the previous day's yomp I feel we all did quite well, especially old-man Ewok.

Ancient Paths

Walking the Ridgeway

This was before it got dark before we made it back to the pub. 10k was 5k too many.

A little Ridgeway View

Walking the Ridgeway

A lovely lunch, conversation and a walk with H & D. The walk was a tad too long, something for which I'm a) very sorry and b) pleading for forgiveness. D spotted this pic and I stole it (and he was right, we did something like this in a previous November).

Carparks

Reading station carpark

Taxi service for those returning from the easy life gig.

Walking the bounds

Walking the bounds

While walking the hounds around the bounds.

The Photographer

We came across a photographer. A proper photographer.

Sunrise

Sunrise

This time of year I'm normally in the dark on a train. But for the second November in a row it's getting light in the morning and I'm not on a bike.

Gone

Gone

It went.

Cake, Awesomeness

Carrot Cake

Awesome carrot cake, baked by awesome A. Chef extraordinaire. It's disappearing.

Visitors

Visitors

Visitors

Visitors

Visitors

Thanks for a lovely weekend. It was quacking!

Waiting for visitors

Observing

Corona. Still.

Corona

It's now 653 days and counting. Remembering the five million who have died1, including the many thousands of deaths in the UK that could have been avoided.


  1. John Hopkins University data and dashboard

Ewok looks happy

Yogi

Ewok

Random's from Edinburgh

Hogs Head Music

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Castle & Parliament

Parliament

Parliament

Parliament

Parliament

Parliament wasn't as impressive as the sunset from the castle.

Harvey's Furniture

Around University of Edinburgh

King Arthur's Seat

King Arthur's Seat

Not a bad view from "the small hill in the middle of the city"!

University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

Around University of Edinburgh

University and around. Ars longa, vita brevis

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh

The train back from Leuchars for a night in Edinburgh.

Hotel

Edinburgh

The hotel wasn't too shabby, although F thinks my feet spoil a better picture.

Edinburgh

Breakie at the French café down the road was awesome. But F reckons I do a poor impression of a teenage instagramer when I take pictures of food.

St Andrews

The train to Leuchars

Leuchars

St Andrews. A train to Leuchars and then a bus.

St Andrews Castle

A castle...

Swimming pool

...with a swimming pool.

St Andrews Cathedral

And an abbey.

Kate and Will?

A house where probably nothing happened.

St Andrews

The old golf course.

St Andrews

A massive beach.

St Andrews

Something Hall.

St Andrews

Something quad.

St Andrews

History (old) and

St Andrews

History (new).

St Andrews

The alley to the library.

St Andrews

The pier.

St Andrews

Brunch, and dodging the rain, at Cottage Kitchen.

St Andrews

The seafood restaurant (no, not this time). Correction: The Seafood Ristorante ;-)

St Andrews

Did we mention that beach?

Sleeper

Caladonian Sleeper

Sleeper

Sleeper

Sleeper

Letting the sleeper train take the strain.

Live Haggis Transport

Everything^ is better on ScotRail, even the jokes.

^ where everything == the things that are important in life.

Covid Memorial Wall

London

The National Covid Memorial.

Scotland via London

London

Our trip to Scotland was via London, with some time to spare before heading to Euston. So we hired Boris Bikes to explore London at night.

London

Buckingham Palace, which was surrounded by police, and where F thought he'd spotted a couple of friends.

London

Parliament, where we learnt that the police presence was because of a V for Vendetta-style march and met the friends F thought he'd seen earlier (small world, or Snapchat maps).

This could be a tradition.

NTS: if you're going to ask the police what's going on, try to ask the ones who aren’t all tooled up in their riot gear.

Scratching

Having a scratch

Dropping off sleepers

Sleepers

Reclaimed and pre-loved.

There's a book for that

There's a book for that

Awaking this morning to an ongoing deluge of sleaze news. As F might say 'I bet you have a book for that'.

If only there was some requirement for MPs:

  • to distinguish right from wrong and to respect the civil and criminal law;
  • to accept responsibility for their behaviour, show initiative, and to understand how they can contribute positively to the lives of those living and working in the locality of parliament and to society more widely;
  • to acquire a broad general knowledge of and respect for public institutions and services;
  • to encourage respect for other people;
  • to encourage respect for democracy and support for participation in the democratic processes, including respect for the basis on which the law is made and applied.

If that sounds familiar, then you're likely a teacher responsible for teaching British Values, as introduced by the Conservative Government in 2014.

This way

This way

This way to a row of charged up parking bays; and the new James Bond movie, which had mixed reviews on the way home. Electrifying it was not. But the evening was incredibly civilised.

The bend in the lane

Running the bend in the lane

Running the lane. It's been a while so it was slow and short.

Compost at sunset

Compost at sunset

The compost bins are growing!

Returning to the scene

Butter wouldn't melt

You might think that after being Caught Red Pawed Ewok would want to keep a low profile. Think again. I suspect all that Sir Ewok… business went to his head.

A "Who done it?" mystery

Guilty

Well, I am no Hercule Poirot, but I think the evidence is pretty compelling. Plus, we all know that Ewok has expensive tastes.

A Blast From The Past

Blast from the past

What's your high score?

Morning Walk

Morning walk views

…with lens flare!

The Boat House

And some sunbeams.

Leaf Blowing Views

Fog in the valley

An amazing view to wake up to this morning. The most tranquil scene with perfect autumn sound track (Leaf Blowing by The Neighbourhood). I saw them in concert a few years ago and they were awesome then too!

> Then suddenly there are the leaf blowers. The whole neighbourhood is filled with a blaring din as one garden after another is meticulously blasted clean

From, In America: Travels with John Steinbeck and a reminder of an old Coffee Table Thought.

Thinking Ewok

Snoozing

Ewok's decided that thinking about a walk is preferable to actually doing the walk.

November Sky

November Sky

Good morning November.

The little cutting that grows

The little cutting

A pressie for F from lovely C: the little cutting that just keeps growing!

Halloween Pt 2

Will

Part Two of a series. Part One is here. Spooky.

Halloween

Halloween

Will. This one brings back some memories.

Range

Range

The beeping EV's done good. Cornwall and back via friends and family and a circular route.

The Rings

The Rings

Cobweb blowing stroll around the rings.

The Rings

Where the National Trust are claiming low biodiversity as a justification for an action. Let's hope they apply the same logic to all the landscapes they manage.

Hedgehog

Hedgehog

Spied along the footpath in Honiton.

Camel Days

Camel Days

An end-of-break last walk along the Camel.

Too bright for selfies

With sunshine too bright for selfies!

Sir Ewok of Padstow

Ewok Walks

Steps

The Steps

Burgers and Fish

Burgers and Fish

A Pint of Padstow

First Visitor

First proper visitor

Good Evening Padstow

Good evening Padstow

Boundaries

Boundaries

Lunch at The Pig

Lunch at The Pig

Lunch at The Pig

25 mile menu.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin

Pumpkin

It's a multi-sided pumpkin, created in a flash before J arrived, and a conversation piece when we met the neighbours for a drink or three.

Light Inspiration

Light inspiration

Good food, great atmosphere, plus film and travel recommendations, at Purcelli's.

Padstein

Welcome to Padstein

The queue to chat with Rick.

Selfie on the Beach

Selfies

17.21 kWh

Charging in Wadebridge

There's a danger that c r o s s o a k may turn into the trials and tribulations of EV charging. The novelty may wear off. Or we may give up.

Watching the internet

Waiting

Watching Luke install the interwebz.

Hawkers Cove

Hawkers Cove

We planned a loop walk, but the path out of the cove was a swamp. So we switched to a there-and-back walk.

Eleven years later

FTTP

Eleven years after we moved back from the USA we finally have faster broadband than we had there. Luke from Kelly Communications popped round this morning and pulled 100Mbps through the wall.

Cosy Boys

Cosy

AirThings

Air things

An AirThings monitor. Because Cornwall & Radon. Radon is negligible. While CO₂ and VOCS spike at night...

Good Morning Padstow

Good morning padstow

Good morning padstow

Morning Fishing

I was up early walking the dogs. Someone else was up early fishing.

Fish and Chip Dinner

Fish and Chips Dinner

Electric Experiences

Electric

Electric

Yes, this one is electric. With a whole new world of experiences.

Electric

Electric

Like broken chargers.

Electric

And working chargers.

Which means a whole new way of long distance trip planning. Hurrah!

But it did do Padstow via Honiton with a 15% top up at Solstice Services and 22% remaining at the end of the trip.

The house with the Spitfire

The house with the Spitfire

The house with the pillbox, now turned into a work of art. Spitire RF-D as flown by Wing Commander Jan Zumbach.

end of the journey

Nearly home

Well, nearly.

From the train

Durham Virtual Tour

Everything you need to know about Durham in one view. Apparently.

Yes, we walked

Walking

Moon in a cathedral

Moon in a cathedral

LSE may have their globe but Durham have The Moon. IN A CATHEDRAL.

Breakie

Breakie

Breakie @ Bill's. Energy for the day ahead.

Welcome to our virtual tour of Durham University

Durham Virtual Tour

With Covid and all the unpleasantness old fashioned university tours have gone all virtual. "There's an app for that" (although not a particularly good one).

Durham Virtual Tour

Durham Virtual Tour

Durham Virtual Tour

Durham Virtual Tour

Durham Virtual Tour

Maybe Amazon could sponsor the School of Heavy Goods Deliveries.

Durham Virtual Tour

We did some miles, saw lots of stuff, and ended up at the well named Riverview Kitchen for a very tasty lunch with a view. Thanks for the recommendation Dave!

Prices

Student Deals

Apparently, the most important aspect to check out with any potential University says H.

A night out in Durham

What time is it?

With Dave

An awesome meal out with Dave in Durham...

Durham Cathedral

Durham Cathedral

...and then a night time wander around the city.

River Weir

Durham

Durham

Edit: How embarrassing, it's the River Wear. If you look closely there is a river weir, but that's not what I meant so that excuse doesn't count ;-)

LSE Globe

LSE Globe

LSE

High Time for High Tea

High Tea

First team gathering of the pandemic. Not bad sarnies.

Eye eye

Eye

Waiting

Waiting

The 0720 from Cholsey used to be a magic train. A HST service that missed out Reading and then ran non-stop from Twyford.

A quote from hit makers

Hit makers: how things become popular

A quote from Hit makers: how things become popular.

> Some of my friends would welcome fashion tastes so static that a single wardrobe would last several millennia. Ironically, they tend to work in the technology industry, which embraces, and even pushes, change in just about every other category of life.

Looking back through the evidence, I can see no indication that this observation applies to me.

Waiting

Waiting

Patiently. It is a roast after all.

Driving

Driving

Are these the boots

Are these the boots you're looking for

You're looking for?

Edge of the trampoline

End of the trampoline

The edge of the trampoline, signifying the end of the trampoline. And an end of an era.

Flying Niro

Flying Niro

Turns out that it wasn't this one. And it wasn't a bike either.

Student Care Package

Router

In 2021, a student care package means fast, reliable, low latency Internet. Everywhere. Well, everywhere except where we are, where the two asthmatic mice blowing ones and zeros down a piece of string usually max out at 8Mbps.

Walking to Paddington

Walking to Paddington

007

The art outside the gallery

Things seen walking back to Paddington. Yes, I was avoiding the tube, and yes I was also missing my bike.

New Office View

I've had a few office views over the years.

There was the Barrington Hall View; the gardens of an English Country House. There were the Microsoft Redmond Campus views that included Lake Bill, a hint of the Cascades and perfectly manicured grass. The Microsoft UK office view was memorable through not being worth remembering (but the walk there and back was awesome). I'm not sure if the The Oxford Academy counts, it was a classroom not an office after all (but the commute was good too). Skype had many views, from Tallinn, to Seattle and even London. And mixed in around this period were some "I'm workings on the train office views. Amazon provided some variations on a theme, Seattle (again!) towards the space needle, and London looking East and West. Then there's been last 19 months of office views that have had a large proportion of "working from the garden".

Office views

Office views

But of all the office views, the latest are not too shabby.

Back on the train gang

Back on the train

First day in an office since March last year.

Looks like we're flying again

Looks like we're flying again

After a year and a half of beautiful, plane free (or mybe more plane-challenged) skies, it looked this morning like things were getting back to How They Were.

Scotland, a rough guide

A rough guide

F caught me reading this this morning. He said, "you know that there's this thing called the internet". Cheeky so-and-so.

Not this one?

Not this one

Probably not this one. It was more like driving an iPad than a car. Maybe this one because it feels more like a car than a computer game.

Could be back in WA

Could be back in WA

A bit foggy this morning

A bit foggy

Cosy on a Friday Night

Cosy

Grace's Gallery

Grace's Gallery

The mouth of the Camel

The mouth of the Camel

Snapped between the showers while on a walk with Ewok and Yogi.

Very different from yesterday's view.

Morning Padstow

Good morning padstow

Morning light

Up early and a walk with the boys before breakfast.

The Shipwrights

Sheltering from the squall

We had to stop to shelter from the squall, but the light was worth it.

Quay Side Reading

The places in between

A quiet spot on the quay for a spot of reading.

Overheard while sat there, the crew of a boat planning to sail up to Scotland for the climate sumit, sampling the sea-soundscape on the way. I hope they got their TV slot. The producer (just arrived from south east London even though there's no petrol) sounded positive about an early morning piece to camera from the foredeck. But the lost and exasperated cameraman I saw the next morning probably meant that the tide-constrained slot had been missed.

Amazon Delivers

Amazon

90 mins after the apology email that the delivery would be a day late, up pulls a branded van. It sits there for a few minutes and then drives off. I'm wondering which person or system realised that the package wasn't in the van and when, oh, and what the COE will read like. busmansholiday.

Winter Cabbages

Winter cabbage

Taken from the same spot as this pic, one of the earliest on c r o s s o a k back in 2005.

Good morning Padstow

Good morning padstow

The road home

Strand street

Walk, Surf, Lunch

Harlyn

Morning walk, some boarding (brov was sooooo right, it's warmer in the autumn!!!!), and a roast at the Harbour Inn. Tradition making?

Brick Tent Camping

Brunch

I don't know who coined the phrase brick tent camping but it's perfectly apt. The project has a single pan induction hob which is perfect for brunch. There's a microwave, kettle and, most importantly a toaster. The plumbing works, just. And there's leccy too (although whether we'll be able to afford any in a month is anyone's guess). A fridge arrives tomorrow, just in time for it to be cold enough not to need a fridge. There's also a futon to sit/sleep on and a possibility of a bed arriving on Tuesday.

Wet Walk

Wet dog shelter

After a wet walk, taking shelter.

Drying Ewok

After the post-wet walk dry, getting settled.

Spikey

Spikey

In the dunes at Harbour Cove. Loads of snails too.

Kitchen Window View

View from the kitchen window

Tommy's Bench

Tommy's Bench

Tommy's Bench

Tommy's Bench

Tommy Morrissey, 1915 - 1996.

> Just tell me Old Shipmates

> I'm taking a trip mates

> and I'll see you someday

> in Fiddlers Green

Futon

Futon arrived

A futon arrived for the project. It was hanging out in the shed, but we thought quarter-past twelve in the morning was a little late to be figuring it out. Fortunately the airbed survived one more night (unlike our first attempt camping out at the project, which I'm not sure I'll ever be forgiven for). It's all quite cosy really…

Footie

Wallingford playing Didcot

F (#6) playing for the Under-21s.

Spot the cat

Spot the stray cat

A very shy cat, maybe lost, maybe stray, maybe feral, has been lurking in the garden.

Artist at work

Artist at work

Keen eyes may spot the floor making slow progress.

Dogs spots

Comfy places

Comfy places

Where they sit is a window into their personalities.

Lost Yogi

Lost yogi

We couldn't find Yogi after a muddy walk. We found him waiting patiently for a shower.

Leopald Street

New student digs

New student digs

New student digs. The alien was impressed.

Last Fifa

The final fifa

The last game of FIFA before H headed back to uni.

Swimming

Yogi ready for an autumn swim

M wanted to swim in the sea so everyone got their bathing costumes ready.

Finn after an autumn swim

Getting in was easy. Getting warm, dry and sand-free after was the tricky bit.

Games

Games at Grandad and Nana's

Games at Grandad and Nana's

Games at Grandad and Nana's

Games at Grandad and Nana's

Games at Grandad and Nana's. Some people won.

Weak Bridge

Except for fire engines

Except for fire engines.

Camel

Camel

Looking up the Camel. (yes, you've already seen this).

Ewok's Place

Ewok's place

Guess who

Who's is who's?

One for Lez.

Camel

Camel

Looking up the Camel Estuary from just past the old railway bridge.

Ewok's Place

Ewok's place

Dinner for two

Dinner for two

More Tryfan (and around) Colour

Tryfan colour

Halfway up, faint right-to-left rising diagonal line. One third of the way along follow a gulley up. Along to the high point and then a scramble down and along the back of the ridge.

Pondering

Rui's place

Dinner followed by songs by Rui (very good).

Tryfan and around

A5 at Tryfan

A blast up to (almost) where the A5 meet the sea.

Tryfan

A5 at Tryfan

Summit Signs

For a couple of days wandering (or wondering) around Tryfan.

Climbers

and avoiding the The Royal Marine's Mountain Leader course

Valley View

Some decent views on the way up.

Top of something

Taking in the views

Some typical (for us) views from the top.

Rob in the gulley

With some bits that were nice and staircase like, with other's where Aiddy needed a rope (no photos of those, he was too busy not looking).

People can't do anything

Devil's Kitchen

Route finding

Scoping the route

Awesome pick's by Bri and Mart, and some decent route finding too. Especially when we were rescued by a couple of students while wandering (or wondering) around on the summit

Heading down

Thanks chaps. Mega as always.

Taking a break

Taking a break

...from cleaning and clearing with a cuppa down on the harbour wall.

We bought a house

A house

We bought a house.

IMG_8285

It has a small back door.

IMG_8144

It has a shed-like thing.

Shed

And a pot plant for the garden to complement the view of the pub next door.

_DSF9849

And a very short walk to the harbour.

Stay tuned for details of how we didn't really but a house, it's more of a project, or a place to look after.

New Studio Floor

Studio floor

Well, work in progress...

Still a work in progress

Recovery Position

Recovering

Ewok Walks

Ewok sits

Harvest

Harvest

Grass

London Break

Day out in London

Shorter than planned due to the Big C.

Brunch at the Cart Shed Cafe

Wildflower at the Cartshed

Great brunch sat nearly in a cool wild flower meadow.

Dinner for Two

Dinner

The Cosy Places

Snug

Ewok, the master of finding the cosy places.

covidmasters

Heading to boardmasters

Dad joking about isolating before the Boardmasters Festival hits him hard when Covid comes home.

It was worth it says F, just don't say that to H.

Well, I guess it took us seventeen months (almost as long as the gap since the last update of c r o s s o a k), although one of us was suspiciously ill after a week in Seattle in January so maybe that was it too.

More Cricket

Day at the cricket

Cricket at Lords was so much fun that we went again.

Day at the cricket

With F, F & H.

Day at the cricket

Plus: we upgraded the walk from Paddington by taking the scenic canal-side option.

Cricket at Lords

Lord's Cricket Ground

A was playing in The Hundreds. Lovely day, until the rain. But that just stopped the men's game ;-)

Running Views

Running views

Garden in July

Down the garden

New tap

New tap

5 mins to change the tap. 20 mins to find the spare in the shed. 2 hours tidying the shed out of sheer frustration from not being able to find the spare tap straight away.

Spot the buzz

Spot the buzzy helicopter

Low and loud training hover over the house (at least we hope it was training). Made a bit of a challenge for the noise cancellation on the conference call.

H

H

H. Caught part way through a post-gym 530 calorie fuel stop.

I'm currently working on the post-gin fuel stop.

Path Home

Path home

Wet June Garden Morning

Wet June Garden Morning

It's warm and damp, very damp, this year. Everything is growing a bit mad at the moment. It also means I can combine breakfast outside with a morning shower.

Sedum Pod Roof

Sedum Roof

The pod roof is looking happy.

Evening Run

Evening running views

Evening running views

Evening running views

Evening run-walk-run. Down river over the bridge, back along the other side, over the weir and home.

Rainbow

Rainbow

Flower Shopping

Green & Gorgeous

Sweet peas

A bike ride down to Green and Gorgeous for pyo Sweet Peas. We took it slow, so no sweaty peas.

Caterpillar Tree

Caterpillar Tree

In the wood, a tree covered in caterpillars. Not nice to walk into on the way home in the dark.

Queueing for ☕️

The queue for coffee

Lovely ☕️ from the coffee stop. Happily busy.

Green roof happy

Roof

I think it's looking healthy. But it might be looking stressed. But if it is stressed, then it's from too much rain. Maybe I should have paid more attention playing Viva Pinata.

Homework & Football

Homework & Football

Just before the goal.

Waiting

Waiting

Patiently.

Wheat

Wheat

Bob's field of wheat. Sold before it was even planted to hedge the impacts of both pandemic and Brexit.

Icecreamies

Ice cream

Ice cream

Political Greetings

Hancock

Birthday BBQ

Felix

Things

Things

Things

Things

No car paddle board trip

No car paddle boarding trip

No car paddle boarding trip

No car paddle boarding trip

No car paddle boarding trip

No car paddle boarding trip

Not everyone needs a car for everything. Up before the world this morning for a bike-pump-pump-paddle-bike workout. I didn't plan on two pumps, but that's what happens when you're a newbie and don't set the valve to inflow.

Mist in the Valley

Mist in the valley

Good morning.

Haircut

Yew tree post-haircut

The yew trip had a trim.

Finn

Finn

Ewok and Yogi

Walking

Walking

May in the Garden

May in the garden

May in the garden

May in the garden

W00t! is time for May in the Garden.

Previous May in the Garden's:

2020 | 2019 | 2018 (May-ish) | 2017 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 |

Football

Wallingford v. Charlbury

Wallingford vs. Charlbury. A nice venue for spectators, even though the pitch looked like something out of a crazy-golf course.

The Gap in the Path

Gap

Views on dog walks. The gap in the hedgerow.

Signs

Signs

Walking back from the Red Lion I was reassured to see many signs pointing the way to new housing developments.

> Signs should not be added piecemeal to a signpost as this obstructs lines of sight, can detract from road safety and damage the environment of our towns, villages and countryside. Our policies include careful consideration of these issues to limit the impact of 'signs clutter'.

(Oxfordshire County Council, 2021)

Inspired by Brita

Inspired by Brita

The garden over a morning cuppa. Inspired by Brita.

Avoiding the football

Long walk to the pub

Friends round to watch the Champion's League final so we escaped for a walk with the dogs and, suprise! We managed a drink at the Red Lion. It's been a while…

New eatery in town

Food

There's a new eatery in town. We tried it out yesterday evening before the football. It was great, the chef is a m a z i n g.

Mental Health Awareness Month

A walk with Ewok

Getting outside for some headspace with Ewok. Or Gummy-Bear as we lovingly call him at the moment.

Better than the botanic?

Field Edges

You might think so. But I couldn't possibly comment.

Oxford Botanic (Botanic III; the return)

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens

Botanic Gardens

We were here last September.

Botanic Gardens

Just like 2018, you do need at least one in colour!

End of Day

End of day

Castle Meadows

Castle Meadows

Castle Meadows

Ewok and the Phone Line

Ewok and a phone line

I can just squeeze under this phone line. Or is it a clothes line?

Small Door?

Small door?

Or tall people?

Wild Flower Cliff Edge

Cliff Flowers

Last Day at Harlyn

Path to the beach

Harlyn

The end of a wonderful week at Harlyn. Had to go in even though the waves were meh. A farewell float.

Sand prints

Harlyn sand

Prints in the sand.

Ewok

But not by Ewok.

First Pint

First Pint

First pint. First pint post-lock down. And first pint at the Harbour Inn.

Dinner at The Pig

Dinner at The Pig

All of a five minute walk. It was a slightly longer walk last time.

On the beach at Harlyn

Beach Walkers

On the beach at Rock

Beach Walkers

With Les and Jessica

Group Shot

On the footpath to Trevone…

Strand Street

Strand Street

Maybe. Crossed fingers. And yes, it would be a project.

Rock Posing

Rocks

Happy Birthday Yogi

Happy Birthday Yogi

Near Trevone

Near Trevone

Old Man of Harlyn

Begging?

In good weather you might be lucky enough to see the "Old Man of Harlyn". Usually he's on the cliff path between Harlyn and Mother Ivy's bay and occasionally he'll take his cap off to pass on a traditional traveller's greeting.

Sunset over Harlyn

Sunset over Harlyn

Through the window

Through the window

Up the Camel

Camel Estuary

Looking up the Camel Estuary.

Down Marble Arch

Heading down Marble Arch

Harlyn Window Views

Window views

Window views

Nice spot for a cuppa.

Comfy

Comfy

Love, coffee

Love coffee

A two coffee day. Treat! My excuse was the hike was exhausting.

Beer pong table

Table

Table. Perfect for beer pong. Apparently.

Honey Street

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

Honey Street Hike

A circle walk up and along the Ridgeway and back from the awesomely named Honey Street. We saw two other walkers on the route (excluding the canal bit which was heaving). But then it was blowing an absolute hoolie. Lovely. As always, thanks chaps, a most excellent strole.

London, Again

London

London

London

London

I used to do this 3 or 4 times a week. Now it's 3 or 4 times a year. Paddington to Dean Street via Hyde Park. It felt quieter than Wallingford. Actually, it was market day in Wallingford and I'm pretty sure Wallingford was busier.

During the storm

A wet and wind blown Ewok

Ewok taking shelter after getting wet and windswept from whatever storm it is that's battering us at the moment.

Walks

Field walls

If "walks" was a series then there would be more than a few posts in it.

Welsh Motorcycles

Sky, sand and (Welsh) motorcycles

Enjoying a quiet spot out of the wind along the harbour wall, reading random stats about the carbon impact of everything, when a group of very friendly Welsh motorcyclists arrived looking for a spot to park.

How could one say no?

Fern

Fern

In Mum's lovely garden.

Catching up with mum

With mum

Night out

Dinner out

I know how to treat a girl: out for a dinner date.

Takeaway pizza and a quiet but windy spot on a hill with a view. 10 points for the view, not so many for everything else.

Smallest House

Smallest house in Padstow?

Possibly the smallest house in Padstow.

With M

F & M

M helping out with the unwrapping.

Cooling off on a damp patch

Cooling off

Under the table

Something interesting under the table

There was something extra under the table. Took a while to spot it.

Big Day

Fifty

Happy birthday beautiful.

April Snow

Snow ride

Snow ride

Snow ride

Snow ride

Snow ride

Snow ride

Snow in April? Proving that it's never a bad day to ride.

Pausing for the view

Cross-country

I tried to make it look like I'd stopped for the view. More like I'd run out of puff. Up hill, in slippy snow, with a demister failure with my spex.

Garden Evolved

Garden

The garden has changed. Controversial I know, but the boys claim to prefer it as it was.

Cue silence at the dinner table.

Heros

Litter Heros

Opening Up, Slowly

Friends

Wood

In a tree

In a tree

In a tree

Shoes

Lovely time with the S's — as lock down opens up, slowly, slowly slowly…

Deck Chair

Star

A deck chair from the RMS Titanic of the White Star Line. Or nicked from Pret?

That's a lot of sockets

Sockets

"That's a lot of sockets" said Paul, a long log time ago. He was right. By my count that's four too many.

Comments

A long log time ago is a longer period of time than a long long time ago because it's time on a log-scale.

Floating in the Pod

Floating shelves

The floating book shelves in the pod work and Gran's picture looks even better here.

Ride

Ride

Ride

Ride

Ride

First ride of April. With sun and snow! Strava reckons it was 27.9km with 272m of elevation gain. But then Strava also claims a top speed of 75.2kmh so YMMV (or in this case YKMMV).

Route: Braziers Common Loop

Border

Border

Border

F has been busy. A new border to hide the edge of the steps. Smart. My side of the garden is going to look good this year!

How I Feel

Ewok

Ewok is doing impressions now. He calls this one "How you feel". I think you is me not you. He's getting quite good.

Ping pong tournament

After the tournament

Wow. The gradual easing or lockdown and our first visitors. Cue ping pong tournament. You'll be none too surprised to read that I lost. Again.

Lost, again.

Lost. Again.

Playing chess with H. Lost again. 4:1 down in the series. I was winning too, until I wasn't.

Yogi looking beautiful

Yogi Bear

No one could have believed, in the closing minutes of the third month of 2021, that minds immeasurably superior to ours were plotting against us.

WFG evolved

Working from the garden

Working from the garden

A year on, and working from the garden has evolved.

Garden early spring

Garden early spring

Early spring in the garden. Stuff peaking through, saying hello to the new year.

Tear drop field

Tear drop in the field

After the flood the field cried.

Come rain or shine

Rain and shine

Rain and shine

Come rain or shine, Ewok's range of favourite places are always just right.

Tubtastic

Tub

I can think of worse ways to ease into a relaxing weekend. Like most of the past 52 weekends we're planning not a lot. I might stay here for a while...

Shoes Box

Shoes of lockdown

After a year of on-and-off lockdowns, why do we have sooooo many shoes?

End of Day

Day End

COVID home testing

COVID testing

COVID testing

First attempt at COVID home-testing ended up with a void result. Turns out that there's insufficient buffer fluid in the sachets to overcome the surface tension on the inside of the extraction tube. When you invert the extraction tube to get drops of fluid onto the test strip the fluid sticks to the inside of the tube and never makes it to the end.

From a box of three tests we got one success. I guess penny-wise and pound-foolish means you can count a larger world-beating amount for the number of test kits supplied, even if those kits don't work.

You might think that the requirement to report results would let someone wise up to all the void results. But the covide.gov.uk reporting site is a PITA. You have to give it an occupation even though you've already said it's for a student. You have to say what country you're in even though you've already provided a postcode. And the final nail in the coffin? You have to prove that you're not a robot by identifying objects in pictures that are meaningless in British-English. Here fire hydrants are underground so good luck identifying with those bollard things while a crosswalk is about as easy to spot as a cross oak. The UKs GDS even published Design Principles for all this:

> We’re designing for the whole country, not just the ones who are used to using the web. The people who most need our services are often the people who find them hardest to use.

Private Eye 1543

Thirty-Seven Billion well spent.

Sorry, I did promise a less snarky C r o s s o a k. It might be a while.

Ipsden Woods

Ipsden Woods

Ipsden Woods

Ipsden Woods

Ipsden Woods

Back to Ipsden Woods for a little potter around. Lovely.

Friday night now burger night

Friday night is burger night

We started lockdown with Friday Night is Movie Night. A year on, Chef F has surpassed the accompanying pizza extravaganza with his amazing burger bar. It encompasses Chef H's trademark secret sauce (a ketchup & mayo mix). Yummy yum.

Ewok found a new bench

A new bench ewok

Ewok had enough of the pew and opted for a seat that was a bench with a view.

scones

Scones

Cream tea for mother's day? Waitose-on-Thames had sold out. Fortunately Mary Berry came to the rescue and I didn't know better than to try.

Beginner's luck or fooled by randomness.

Looking at the back of the daffs

Back of the daffs

Looking up the garden admiring the view that the daffodil's have. That's why they're all looking the other way.

The Queue

The queue

There was a queue to get in this morning.

Sky with hail incoming

Sky

Local by-bike deliveries for Fay. Dodging the March hail showers.

Running again

Running views

Note to self: starting to run in your late 40s, stopping for a month, and then starting again aches. Aches a lot.

Which way the wind blows

Which way the wind blows

"So Yogi, which way does the wind blow?"

"It'll be next month's hair style across the sixth form" he replied "Mark my words".

So far, F has been silent on the issue.

Haircut

Hair cut

F had a haircut. It cost less than the £37 billion allocated to the UK Test & Trace system and, unlike the Commons Public Accounts Select Committee conclusion about Test & Trace, there is clear evidence to judge the haircut's overall effectiveness.

At some point the usual, slight less snarky, service on c r o s s o a k will resume. In the meantime I bet you wished I'd stuck to the abstract stuff.

Do we have a problem?

Syringe x N

Tosser

Don't be a tosser

Apparently somebody got upset that Boris has made a right mess of things and has covered the town with appropriate signage.

A f£$%"#g year of Working From the Garden‽

Working from the garden

A year ago I started Working from the Garden. What a ‽‽‽‽ of a year.

A year and a bit ago I was in Seattle, stumbling over a prophetic quotation:

> "The 20th Century was about getting around. The 21st Century will be about staying in a place worth staying in."

James Howard Kunstler

c r o s s o a k had more posts last year than in any other. I wonder why.

Looking back to last March I shared these stats:

> In the UK, today is day 53. 8,077 cases, 422 deaths. Twelve days since I was last in the office. Four days since the schools shut. Six days since H came home from university. One day since the government said "shutdown".

The government reported total deaths for the UK as of yesterday was 124,797. Wikipedia's list of UK causalities of war provides some context. It's greater than all UK civilian deaths from conflicts since 1900.

I'm very fortunate to be working, and even more so to be able to work from a garden, but when we look back on this period, I wonder what we will have learnt.

Blinded by the Light

Ewok basking in the sun

"A bit bright this morning" said Ewok

Ewok basking in the sun

"I think I'll need to lie down and take things easy later."

And, he did.

Signs of Spring

Morning in the garden

Morning in the garden and there's the first few signs of spring.

Walking in Ipsden Woods

Ipsden woods

Ipsden woods

Ipsden woods

Early morning reports from Devon that the weather was brightening up, and an introduction from Hazel to a new spot to walk, resulted in a very pleasant wander around Ipsden woods. The boys were impressed.

The Studio

The studio is always this tidy

Wow, a tidy studio! How did that happen?

Shillingford Road

Shadow road

OCC restored the pavement. w00t! Worth a thank you.

Missing in the Mist

Lockdown

I was looking for the river but it's lost somewhere in the morning mist.

Fay

Sunny inside

Music Night

Music rounds (covers night)

Evidence from music night. This week the theme was covers. I think The Fall won.

Brown

Brown

Watching Ewok

Watching

"I think Ewok is up to something" said Yogi. "Quick! Come and look."

Ice Dancer

Ice fun

Paddling the Thames

Float down the Thames

Float down the Thames

Float down the Thames

End of a paddle

Lockdown sucks. A small respite by taking my daily exercise as a float (and occasional paddle) down The Thames from Little Wittenham to Wallingford.

Lost Umbrellas

Lost umbrellas

In the woods, at The Clumps. Lost. Or maybe just mislaid.

Blinded By The Light

Blinded by the light

The Trees

Hands up if you're happy tree

Hands up if you're a happy tree!

The lonely tree

Or a tree all on your own.

Tree line

Or a group of trees all in a respectful line. Must be British trees. Always in a queue.

On Thin Ice

Lae Gerald in Winter

Lake Gerald has frozen.

Yogi explores

Which makes for some more dramatic dog walk adventures.

Out on the ice

…but if you should go skating on the thin edge of the ice.

Out on the ice

Far enough

Out on the ice

Of course, Ewok is the cautious one. This is about 10x further than his comfort zone.

Me by F

But we made it safely across. So all good then.

Please, don't do this at home.

Yogi Skating

Ice skating

Frozen Steppe of South Oxfordshire

Frozen Steppe

Late this afternoon the three boys completed an expedition to Lake Gerald. They determined that Lake Gerald is frozen to a distance of 2m from the shore, at which point Yogi broke through and plunged paw deep into the frozen depths. Mum was not impressed.

Wrapped Up Too!

Wrapped up

Yogi gets in on the "wrap up warm" vibe. Toasty.

Wrapped up!

Wrapped

If you didn't know that the boiler was broken you could probably guess.

The boat house

Shillingford

The boat house house (it's a house on a boat house) at Shillingford is surrounded. More of a boat house island house.

John Lewis

Bah

Waitrose responds to the pandemic by adding a John Lewis section.

More Gerald

Lake Gerald

Lake Gerald has grown. The dampness persists.

Trouble remembering things

Improving my memory

More memory is the solution. But maybe we're happier when we forget things.

Finn's Burgers

Dinner

Dinner

Friday evening burger's with Chef Finn. Sorted.

night out

Night out with Yogi

Night out at the pub. Lockdowntastic.

Reflection

The River Thames is a little wider today

The river is reflecting on its new position.

Pod at night

Working from home pod style

The pod in the evening.

Dinner and Brunch

Dinner and Brunch

Dinner and Brunch

Gateway to the tree

Frosty tree field

Have I noticed the gate before?

Frosty Window

Frosty window

Patterns in the window and the shadows cast by morning frost. Chilly.

Let there be light

Lamp

Light. Let there be light. USB powered portable light.

Frosty Tracks

Frosty Tracks

Bob's dreamy tracks in the frosty wheat field.

Poo with a View

Poo with a view

Near Miss

Near miss

It's been a while

It's been a while

The snow gear had shrunk since the last time it was needed.

Inspired

So an upgrade to Bernie-style was called for.

A dusting

A dusting

A dusting

Frosty morning walk

Good morning winter

Warming up at the Meadows

Drinks

A frosty morning walk to Castle Meadows just so that Yogi could have a pint of his favourite beverage. Chilled.

It was lovely he said.

Morning Run Boys

Morning run

Early. Frosty. Slow. Today's morning run with the boys.

The path is muddy and bumpy

The Thames Path between Wallingford & Benson

The path between Wallingford and Benson was resurfaced. The the river flooded over into the water meadows (like it is supposed to). Then the water retreated. Now the lovely path is muddy and bumpy again. It cycles.

Lockdown Sports

Lockdown sports

Ten months after the UK locked down for COVID and we're running out of indoor sports.

In the vague chance that you stumble upon this, please please do not try this at home. Or at the shops. Or at the park. And definitely not at school.

Signs of life

Signs of life

Still winter but signs of spring to come. Soon we hope.

Shed. Done (ish)

Door

The shed is done. Not done done. Just done.

The boxes face west, so hopefully won't be too hot, nor too cold. But if they're successful in attracting residents then I might not be able to use the door.

On reflection maybe I didn't plan that bit too well.

A two coffee day

Two coffee day

Two coffee day

Today was a two coffee day. Recently many days have been like this. I'm blaming a COVID-restrictions induced brain-fog.

Or maybe just a love of coffee.

Woodinville Bear!

Woodinville Bear

Woodinville spent the holidays with S&D next door. He said he'd had a wonderful time, but that he was ready to come home to the front garden.

Woodinville Bear

While he was away his hair has grown. "I'll need it cut soon" he said.

Dinner x2

Dinner

Saturday: If we can't go to Le Clos then Le Clos comes to us!

Lunch

Sunday: F on fire!

Avocado Challenge

Avocado stones

F, getting ready to challenge Toni to an Avocado growing competition. Results in 5 years.

Winter sun blues

The sun, trying

The sun was trying, but only succeeded in making the day feel like a Harry Potter scene. Or an album cover for something Sean would like us to listen to.

Winter Blues

It finally managed to drive the clouds away, for some afternoon Winter Blue.

Noteboard

My window notes

The window is the noteboard.

Thames Path Disappearing

Thames Path disappearing

Thames Path disappearing

Between Benson and Wallingford. You can see the old fence that used to be the field boundary almost in the river.

Yogi finds the wet mud

Finding the wettest muddy bits

Always.

Decanter

Decanter

For some reason, the bottle's don't last as long this way.

Exercise

Canoe over the bridge?

My physically-distanced exercise today was collecting the canoe that Tony borrowed during the flood, and wheeling it along the river bank. I would rather have paddled it, and based on the number of people also walking along the path, the water option would probably have been safer.

Snow! 2021 style

Snow capped jumps

It snowed. Just a tiny bit. But it was snow. The last time we had decent snow here was December 2010.

Dogs on Seats

Ewok's Chair

Ewok's new favourite chair.

Sofa surfing

The perfect place to wait for everyone else to get home.

The Clumps in the Distance

The Clumps in the Distance

A glimpse of The Clumps from the bridleway in Dorchester. Taken on yesterday's ride just before I remembered the river was flooded.

Riding home from Oxford

Riding home from Oxford, cross country

Riding home from Oxford, cross country

Riding home from Oxford, cross country

Riding home from Oxford, cross country

Riding home from Oxford, cross country

Up early doors for an MRI with the lovely folks at the Nuffield and then a ride home, cross-country style. It would have been more cross-country, but I forgot that the river was flooded at Dorchester. F said that was no excuse and I should have made it into a triathlon. He's probably right.

It's been a while since I came this way and 9 months of repeating lock-downs and stay-at-home government messaging mean that my cycling legs and cross-country arms aren't what they were. Tired now.

new door new wall

Building doors

New year, new wall and a new door. Well, almost, still some bits to finish.

You might say this is part 3 in the shed project. Part one was the roof and part two (solar!) powered lighting and USB charging. Progress.

The first walk of 21

The dog walker

Starting as we mean to go on.

2020 Fades to Mist

Fading into the fog

Here's hoping 2021 is kinder than 2020.