Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Birthday celebrations.
Birthdays, so they say, should be about being with those we love and eating and drinking together and having fun.
Well, you'll be happy to hear that I enjoyed all of that this year.
What a lot of lovely cards. I thank people for that reminder that I am loved and cared about.
Lunch was a picnic with Roger and Sue at Vyne House, a National trust property near Basingstoke.
Sue had enjoyed a birthday picnic the day before and there was some cake and a candle saved for me to celebrate too.
All I wanted was to have the candle lit - not much to ask. But it was just too breezy.
I used up loads of matches.
Bill tried to creates some shelter for the flame, but it died almost as soon as it was lit.
Sue and I exchanged trivial but fun little presents. How clever of Sue to remember that jelly babies are on my approved list of sweets to eat - lower in potassium.
Before lunch we wandered in the grounds of Vyne House and enjoyed the walled garden with neat vegetable patches and a lovely herbaceous border against the wall which had fan tailed fruit trees.
Chatting with one of the volunteer gardeners.
For a while we were stranded in the greenhouse - my, it did rain hard.
Where there is a lake there are water birds to enjoy.
The Canada Geese strutted on the grass or took to the water.
"Come on swan, you know you want some of my nice fresh grass"
But she put on a bit of a show for us.
The cygnets made us chuckle.
It was a bright evening.
I really enjoyed seabass fishcakes with lime and ginger.
My camera coped less well with the fading light. I had to lighten it a lot on the computer.
Well, you'll be happy to hear that I enjoyed all of that this year.
What a lot of lovely cards. I thank people for that reminder that I am loved and cared about.
Lunch was a picnic with Roger and Sue at Vyne House, a National trust property near Basingstoke.
Sue had enjoyed a birthday picnic the day before and there was some cake and a candle saved for me to celebrate too.
All I wanted was to have the candle lit - not much to ask. But it was just too breezy.
I used up loads of matches.
Bill tried to creates some shelter for the flame, but it died almost as soon as it was lit.
Never mind the other 3 sang Happy Birthday for all in the car park to hear!
The picnic site is in the overflow carpark and on a summer's day there were too many cars for the car park.
The National Trust picnic tables and chairs are very good.
The National Trust picnic tables and chairs are very good.
You can see rain gear scattered around.
Sue and I exchanged trivial but fun little presents. How clever of Sue to remember that jelly babies are on my approved list of sweets to eat - lower in potassium.
Before lunch we wandered in the grounds of Vyne House and enjoyed the walled garden with neat vegetable patches and a lovely herbaceous border against the wall which had fan tailed fruit trees.
Chatting with one of the volunteer gardeners.
For a while we were stranded in the greenhouse - my, it did rain hard.
We were not alone - there were others to be sociable with.
Later in the afternoon we enjoyed the tea shop - a cup of tea and some cake was just right. The others had scones with jam and cream. I found some gluten free blueberry cakes - and it was moist and good. Sometimes gluten free can be so dry and flavourless.
Where there is a lake there are water birds to enjoy.
My apologies to the pretty little coots - we have no photographs!
The Canada Geese strutted on the grass or took to the water.
They thought they were top birds - until a swan chased them and that caused a hurried flight of geese from the water with the swan chasing along behind, never quite getting wing tips above the surface.
"Come on swan, you know you want some of my nice fresh grass"
But she didn't want to get her cygnet into bad habits and declined.
But she put on a bit of a show for us.
The cygnets made us chuckle.
Maybe they don't like walking. They walked a few steps and then both instaneously sat down in front of Bill.
And then turned their backs towards the photgraphers - well, I had the advantage of seeing their faces.
And then turned their backs towards the photgraphers - well, I had the advantage of seeing their faces.
After a happy day we bade farewell to Roger and Sue.
It is amazing how exactly halfway between our two homes we were.
Roger had checked a web site and discovered that they were one hour 20 minutes drive from home and we were one hour 21 minutes.
But we didn't drive straight home and I am not sure what Roger and Sue did.
We drove through Farnham - and vowed to explore this pretty town one day.
We drove through Farnham - and vowed to explore this pretty town one day.
We stopped in Loxwood, situated by the Wey and Arun canal. This canal has fallen into a poor state, but volunteers are raising money to restore it.
Loxwood needed much money - new bridges were built and new concrete banks to the canal and a firm towpath re-established.
This is now on the things to do list - we should walk from Loxwood down as far as the aqueduct.
It was a bright evening.
We decided to have our dinner at the canal side pub, The Onslow Arms.
I really enjoyed seabass fishcakes with lime and ginger.
It was much closer to dusk when we came out and walked a little by the canal to see new locks and new humped bridge.
My camera coped less well with the fading light. I had to lighten it a lot on the computer.
I wanted to show Bill by the lock which, for now divides the new canal from the old unrestored canal.
And so it was time to go home and feel satisfied with a lovely birthday.
Scroll down to see pictures of Vyne House - the focal point of our jaunt.
