Saturday, September 22, 2012
Lovely Saturday
Such a lovely day.
We left home not long after sunrise......still chilly at that hour (7 degrees); but we felt sure that we would be enjoying sunshine for the day.
We enjoyed a good time browsing and buying at Ford.
My shopping trolley was full.
Then into Littlehampton - breakfast time.
We sat at "our" table by the window of The Balaton, presumably for the very last time. It was as enjoyable as ever, but we felt the sadness and apprehension in the air.
George (Mr Balaton) was saying that you never know what might happen......"Who knows?" he said "Maybe I'll open up again in the Spring" But maybe that was just the nervousness talking - wondering why he had ever made the decision to close. Maybe as he settles into his next chapter he will be able to leave the old chapter in the past.
We left them a bottle of wine and received hugs from Eleanor, George's daughter.
We took a walk down to the lifeboat station, where Bill bought tea.
On our way back along the river estuary somebody hurried out of the smart looking cafe we once visited with Pete and Jean, calling "Bill, Bill". For a moment we were baffled, not immediately recognising who was calling. It was Brian - one of the Pilgrims Antiques dealers, enjoying a beer or two after being at Ford. Sometimes it can be hard to recognise somebody who seems to be in the wrong place! So we went in the cafe and had a good chat with Brian and Sue. We didn't stop for a drink because we had other plans.
We walked back to the car, along the river.
We walked out along the little pier - more a jetty than a pier.
Right at the end, beyond the fence was a strange sight.
Make up your own story about this one.
Good, clean shoes - so neatly placed there.
Why? By whom?
It was time to drive westwards to the caravan field near Birdham. It is a registered site - a large field, licensed for just 5 caravans. So it is always quiet.
It is the favourite spot for Bill's sister and her husband (J and R).
We sat in the sun with a first glass of wine until lunch was ready.
It was lovely and we could see why they were there as many weekends as possible.
When the sun was covered by a cloud, it still felt quite chilly.
So we ate inside.
It was such a lovely time. You can't capture chat, laughter, friendliness and closeness with a camera so well.
But here is J, looking happy.
About 12 hours after we left home we were back indoors. My purchases are, of course strewn over the dining room table.
I won't have time to sort them tomorrow.
We are out to lunch again, at a smart French restaurant in Richmond - celebrating the 50th anniversary of the day my crowd of student friends all met up.
We left home not long after sunrise......still chilly at that hour (7 degrees); but we felt sure that we would be enjoying sunshine for the day.
We enjoyed a good time browsing and buying at Ford.
My shopping trolley was full.
Then into Littlehampton - breakfast time.
We sat at "our" table by the window of The Balaton, presumably for the very last time. It was as enjoyable as ever, but we felt the sadness and apprehension in the air.
George (Mr Balaton) was saying that you never know what might happen......"Who knows?" he said "Maybe I'll open up again in the Spring" But maybe that was just the nervousness talking - wondering why he had ever made the decision to close. Maybe as he settles into his next chapter he will be able to leave the old chapter in the past.
We left them a bottle of wine and received hugs from Eleanor, George's daughter.
We took a walk down to the lifeboat station, where Bill bought tea.
On our way back along the river estuary somebody hurried out of the smart looking cafe we once visited with Pete and Jean, calling "Bill, Bill". For a moment we were baffled, not immediately recognising who was calling. It was Brian - one of the Pilgrims Antiques dealers, enjoying a beer or two after being at Ford. Sometimes it can be hard to recognise somebody who seems to be in the wrong place! So we went in the cafe and had a good chat with Brian and Sue. We didn't stop for a drink because we had other plans.
We walked back to the car, along the river.
We walked out along the little pier - more a jetty than a pier.
Right at the end, beyond the fence was a strange sight.
Make up your own story about this one.
Good, clean shoes - so neatly placed there.
Why? By whom?
It was time to drive westwards to the caravan field near Birdham. It is a registered site - a large field, licensed for just 5 caravans. So it is always quiet.
It is the favourite spot for Bill's sister and her husband (J and R).
We sat in the sun with a first glass of wine until lunch was ready.
It was lovely and we could see why they were there as many weekends as possible.
When the sun was covered by a cloud, it still felt quite chilly.
So we ate inside.
It was such a lovely time. You can't capture chat, laughter, friendliness and closeness with a camera so well.
But here is J, looking happy.
About 12 hours after we left home we were back indoors. My purchases are, of course strewn over the dining room table.
I won't have time to sort them tomorrow.
We are out to lunch again, at a smart French restaurant in Richmond - celebrating the 50th anniversary of the day my crowd of student friends all met up.
