27th August 2023 Some more photos and a video of Jamie and Ruth’s Dubai engagement:                                                                 [wpvideo 7vblHAAo Over the past couple of weeks,… Continue Reading

6th August 2013 “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” Mark Twain On the late afternoon of 2nd August, Jamie and Ruth dropped Rocky, Nala, and Wilma at Willow Bank on their way to an airport hotel. They flew to Dubai early the following morning for a ten-day holiday. That evening,… Continue Reading

1st August 2023 “Sisters make the best friends in the world.” —Marilyn Monroe July was a cool and wet month, with the UK receiving more than double the usual rainfall. Towards the end of the month, we had a visit from Sue’s sister, Philippa. Arriving late afternoon on the 27th, she travelled up from Buckfastleigh… Continue Reading

26th July 2023 “I am not absent-minded. It is the presence of mind that makes me unaware of everything else.” ― G.K. Chesterton Finally, I’ve finished editing the hundreds of photos and videos taken during our April trip to Ethiopia and have arranged them in sequence to create a video. It’s now been uploaded and published… Continue Reading

4th July 2023 In years gone by, our small band of ex-rugby comrades, who still meet every Thursday evening to play pool, share a few beers, and revel in each other’s company, used to extend the camaraderie once a month with a group meal. That tradition, however, had quietly faded over time. But on the… Continue Reading

20th June 2023 On the final day of May, following a particularly miserably cold morning, Sue joined one of her U3A groups for a short afternoon ramble from Little Bowden, followed by a splendid picnic in the village hall. Left to prepare my lunch, I instead joined Jim Hankers and his two dogs, Harby and… Continue Reading

30th May 2023 Since returning from Ethiopia, Sue has thrown herself back into her U3A groups, going on several rambles and attending a range of interest group sessions. I, meanwhile, have been hard at work in the garden and on the vegetable plots, planting four rows of main crop potatoes and preparing several beds for… Continue Reading

1st May 2023 Our flight today was at 10:45 am. We had arranged with our guide to be picked up from the hotel at 8:00 am, so we were at breakfast for 7:00 am, all packed and ready to go. It was only a short drive to the airport, and along with three other members… Continue Reading

29th April 2023 Sue and I woke at 5.30 am, with breakfast scheduled for 6 am and departure set for an hour later. However, the power wasn’t expected to return until 6 am, so we had to get ready in total darkness. Using a small torch, we managed to dress and make our way to… Continue Reading

27th April 2023 It was a most uncomfortable night for Sue, who woke in the early hours feeling hot and unwell. She chose to sleep on the cooler floor beside the bed, outside the protection of the mosquito net. Predictably, the mozzies took full advantage of the opportunity and feasted on her exposed legs. However,… Continue Reading