Heatwave Continues

It's as warm and sunny as ever. I've never known such a long period of warm weather such as we're experiencing at the moment. Two years ago we had a similar period, but I don't think it went on as long as this one. We visited a number of properties, some through the H.H.A., (Historic Houses Association), one being Sizencote, near Moreton-In-March, in the Cotswolds. We had toured the gardens and then were about to have a guided tour of the house and went inside with a group of other guests, but we didn't continue, because it was far too hot. I recall the summer of 1976 when we also had a long heatwave and my parents garden began to have huge fissures appear in the lawn, due to the heat. The lawn seemed to crack open like some sort of peculiar earthquake. Also,  my gather kept greyhounds and one of them sat in the horse trough in the field at the rear of the house. It looked so peculiar, this long hound, just sitting there, in an attempt to cool down. But really, we shouldn't complain about the weather. Typical of British people. We never seem to be satisfied about the weather. Either too hot or cold, wet or dry. Make the most of it and enjoy it while it lasts. It can be uncomfortable, but it can be unbearable but mostly, enjoy it.

As I write this blog post, at 7.30 on a Monday morning, the sun is already out. On most evenings it's bright sunshine until well past 8 p.m. 

Carol's best friend from Milton Keynes Academy, Pauline, had left a written note through the door when I'd returned home on Friday evening. She had apparently attempted to contact Carol via mobile phone but only got voicemail. Probably because there is no mobile signal on Ward 22. So I texted her, using her mobile number on the note and then she telephoned back to find out where Carol was and I told her she was on Ward 22. She then said she'd visit some time on Saturday evening. Carol then told me, when I visited her on Sunday morning, that Pauline had come quite late and didn't stay long as they don't like visitors to stay after 8 p.m. But Pauline will no doubt visit again at some point so I have to keep her updated on how Carol is doing using my mobile. 

On Sunday I didn't arrive at the hospital until around 11.45 because I went to church last S.C.F. and then went to Morrison's on the way home, took my shopping to put away and then went to the hospital.

There is a lady in the bed opposite on Ward 22 who is behaving quite selfishly. She is constantly calling out and making the nurses lives difficult. She keeps on saying she 'wants to go home,' but she obviously can't because she's not well enough. The whole situation is stressing Carol who needs peace and quite so she can get well herself.

During the afternoon a doctor appeared, to say they think they've discovered what's causing the infection, which in turn is giving her a high temperature. They can no put Carol on a stronger antibiotic which should help to resolve the problem. I would say that the current hot weather might be contributing to some of the temperature rise in some way. Even though they have fans on in the ward, it's still very warm in there.

Tedious and Lack-Lustre Telly

It's spring and the birdies are singing their hearts out. It's warm and pleasant, but for reasons I won't go into in too much detail (but which would become apparent if you read my blog posts on a regular basis) we're stuck indoors. Under different circumstances, we'd be out and about visiting various properties managed by either the National Trust, English Heritage of the H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association). Instead, we're enduring some of the most unimaginative and positively tedious television to pass the time of day. I can't think why, with endless channels on Sky, there is such a total lack of imagination in programme-making at the present. All days on the main channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV and Channel Four are identical (although, of the free-to-air channels, Channel Four is perhaps the least tied to it's regular daily line-up of programmes.) I mean, when I was a good deal younger, each day in telly land was different. You had different programmes for each day of the week, for example, a sitcom at 7.30 in the evening on a Monday, then a Tuesday probably a gameshow, Wednesday, probably a documentary and so on. Also, things like Play For Today or the Wednesday Play, which could often be hard-hitting, from a range of writers such as Dennis Potter or Alan Bleasdale. These would be one-offs. There were series and serials, such as The Onedin Line or The Brothers or going back further in time to the 1960's, Adam Adamant Lives and probably one of my favourites of all-time, The Avengers. Totally imaginative and very original. Now we just get the same shows on every day. Bargain Hunt is in the same slot on every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday. Admittedly we do get quite a few good programmes, some excellent drama series and documentaries. But why do we have to have endless antiques, cookery and selling things shows? Why because something is popular do the schedulers think we're going to love more and more? Everything has to be ghettoised. Some of the best stuff the BBC does is on BBC Four. This stuff would have been put on BBC2, but even that has been overrun with endless gameshows and antiques shows. It was set up I seem to recall as being a sort of place for 'distinctive' programming. So where's it all gone wrong? Why don't we get such programmes as 'Not The Nine O'clock News' which could be quite biting satirically. We don't get satire any more, particularly when we have such an awful set of politicians who need to be satirised. Donald Trump is one such, but would you believe in him? Not really, as he's just one big comic character really ripe for satire.

I read all of Gerald Durrell's books when I was a teenager. I read the first one 'My Family and Other Animals' when i bought a second-hand copy of it as a paperback from a stall at Cardington church fetê. I loved it and read almost everything else Durrell wrote. I was more than excited when the BBC did an adaptation of the books back in the 1980's. A fairly reasonable and accurate adaptation. I think they might have done a sort of 'one-off' movie version sometime later, but I can't exactly say when or if that's true. Then ITV announced that they were doing a series based on the 'Corfu Trilogy,' (I think I'm right in saying, unless it's just based on 'My Family and Other Animals.' We watched the first two series of this, and I have to say it was reasonable. But I can't say I recognise any of the books from these adaptations. They've taken incredible liberties with the stories and characters. The books are centred very much on Gerry, the youngest of the Durrell children, but in the television version he has a much smaller role to play, intact he's quite a minor character in these shows. The wildlife doesn't play such a central role in this ITV version. But I've given up on watching the third series because it really has wandered away from what I remember of the books. They have just not held my attention so I'd ratter invest my time and effort of something else, such as reading. I wrote about the first series in an earlier post when this show first aired. But I'm afraid it has deteriorated considerably since the first season which is a great pity. I don't think I'll bother to watch any more.

A Happy New Year

Another year begins. I just hope it's better than 2017. The last six months or so have been incredibly difficult for myself and Carol, since her cancer diagnosis. You can't believe how stressful and difficult is has been, not just the diagnosis, but the fact of having Carol in hospital for three weeks and having to cope with going to the oncology unit at Milton Keynes Hospital on a regular basis for the treatment. It's as well we live so close to the hospital as it makes it so much easier having to drive only a short distance. Also, since discovering that we can park immediately behind the oncology unit it make it easier to walk into the unit. It's a pity that no-one thought to tell me that you could park so close, particularly as you could see the carpark from the room which Carol was in when she was in hospital. I was under the impression that it was for staff only.

We're not the sort of people who like being indoors for any length of time. The fact that currently Carol is experiencing a great deal of pain means we can't go out and about as we would have done during the summer months. Even on Boxing Day on previous years we've visited Whipsnade Zoo. We'd rejoined English Heritage, National Trust and H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association) as we had planned our summer around visiting the properties managed by all these organisations and with Carol's Fellowship of Z.S.L. (Zoological Society of London) we can visit Whipsnade and London Zoo as many times as we like without paying for entrance. If you read this blog regularly you will have discovered how many times we've been to Whipsnade, although we had intended visiting London Zoo over the summer.

So, to those who follow my blog posts, here's to a happy and prosperous 2018 to you all!

New Car and other things-Part2

We made the decision to go with the Renault Captur at Evans Halshaw. We discovered that there's no Road Fund Tax to pay on the car because it has low emissions. After so many years of driving it seems odd to not pay for a licence.  We had to go into the NatWest to have the money transferred to the dealer's account. No end of identification details at the bank, presumably to make sure it was all legal and above-board. I can see why, because of criminals laundering money and the threat of possibly funding such things as terrorism. It all went through without any problems. We had already paid a £200 deposit from my Nationwide account and we couldn't collect the new car until the next Monday as it had to be MoT'd and valeted and have final checks done before we could take delivery. The old car had to be cleared out and we needed the paperwork to hand over to Evans Halshaw, such as the Registration documents as well as MoT certificate. After a hunt around the house they were located, so fortunately there was no problem. The Registration document sent off to Swansea to make sure we are no longer the registered owners of the old car. It has since been acknowledged by them as the document had arrived and they responded that all details were transferred.

The new car has a built in SaNav. We already have a portable Garmin model which we got last year and we've managed to set up and use successfully. It's important to upgrade the computerised maps these things contain because roads are constantly being changed, new roads added when new housing estates and roundabouts are opened and constructed. The TomTom within the Renault is somewhat out of date so we need to discover how to upgrade the maps within it.

The other thing which is new to us is the fact it doesn't have a traditional 'key' as such to start the car. You get a sort of 'card' with the usual remote buttons to unlock the car doors and to start the car you insert this plastic 'key' into the slot in the dashboard and put your foot on the brake and clutch pedal and then press another button to activate the engine. Takes quite a lot of time to get used to, but far more economical in the long run.

Anyway, we went to collect the new car on the Monday and Carol drove it first. When we eventually got home I drove round the estate. It's probably that bit bigger than the old car. For a start it has four doors and probably a bigger boot.

We drove back towards Milton Keynes and stopped off at Marston Mortaine, to the Millennium Country Park which we've visited on several occasions. To use the toilets and to have a snack. Quite a nice café and a great place for children. We sat and could see children and parents outside, the children happily playing in the playground. How many parents dump their children in these playgrounds (generally safe, with a fence all round and a gate which stops dogs getting in and fouling the area.) but some parents are more keen on sitting and gossiping with their friends, drinking coffee and constantly checking their mobiles. I sometimes think these things cause more problems than they solve.

We had planned to do a wide variety of things during Carol's school holiday break. We've been members of the National Trust for quite a number of years now. We visit some of their sites frequently, as you will have discovered if you read these blog posts on a regular basis, such as Stowe Landscape Gardens, Waddesdon Manor and Wimpole Hall and Home Farm. We'd rejoined English Heritage. Both the National Trust and English Heritage allow you to pay in monthly instalments, which I suppose means that more people can afford to pay in instalments which makes it far easier. A good move on both their parts. English Heritage manage a good many historical sites, one near here being Wrest Park which we've been to on quite a number of occasions. Also, the H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association). We have been to Blenheim Palace using our H.H.A. membership. Last summer, which was really hot virtually throughout, we managed to visit many places. With Carol not being well it has been difficult to visit any of these places although we have been to Castle Ashby, not on either organisation's 'free entry' list but well worth a visit. It's not too far either, through Olney and driving towards Northampton. Lastly, Carol revived her Fellowship membership of Z.S.L. (Zoological Society of London) and we've already visited Whipsnade twice since reinstating the membership.

Last week we visited somewhere new which we only discovered, quite by accident. I was on Google Maps looking for something entirely different and found a place marked on the map, called Crocodiles of The World. I told Carol about it and she was more than interested to visit. Not only were there crocodiles there but a komodo dragon which she was keen to see. A large pool containing no less than 30 crocs which we saw being fed, which was quite spectacular as the man feeding them stood on a sort of platform over the water and kept feeding them with a pole with a sort of hook that could release the bits of chicken and each time he held it out over the water many of the crocodiles would jump up to get the food!

Blenheim Palace Outing

Thursday was a really hot day. We had planned to have at least one day out, visiting somewhere interesting. We have a lot of choice, as members of the National Trust and H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association.) Carol has said she wants to visit Chatsworth in Derbyshire, so we had a look at their website. This house isn't included in the H.H.A. handbook as having free entry to their members so it seemed that Blenheim Palace would be a better choice. Not only with free entry, but nowhere near as far to drive as it's just outside Oxford and perhaps around an hour's journey. We have been there before, but it was probably six-seven years ago. As H.H.A. members you are only supposed to visit a property once a year as I imagine it would reduce their income. A single entry to Blenheim is around £25 so that would be a £50 layout for the two of us.

Entrance to Blenheim Palace

We discovered on the Blenheim Palace website that there was going to be a triathlon in the park and that, as a result, some areas of the park and the Palace itself, would be restricted. No problem, we thought. On arrival we had to park in a somewhat inappropriate grass field, serving as temporary parking, but never mind. We then had to walk a considerable distance to the Palace, somewhere in the region of half a mile or more. Again, no problem as we needed the exercise. The last time we visited we did the guided tour of the house. I recall it was extremely well done, with a very knowledgeable guide who gave a lot of information about the Palace's history, which included the building of it and quite a bit on Sir Winston Churchill, who was born and raised there. Coincidentally, I am reading Peter Ackroyd's book, "Revolution," which is the fourth book in his series on the history of England and covers the 'Glorious Revolution' and the Battle of Blenheim which is where the Duke of Marlborough scored a mighty victory over the French and was then given Blenheim as a reward by Queen Anne. So, it was quite interesting to have the background so well recorded in this book and to then see the actual place in all it's magnificence. As we'd already seen the interior of Blenheim before, regardless of it's amazing scale, design and size, we decided against it. We didn't see much of the park, so this time we decided to discover what there was beyond the confines of the main building. We'd seen the Italianate gardens on our previous visit, but on this occasion we walked down towards the lake and began our tour of the grounds.

One of a number of classical-style statues in the Great 

Court at Blenheim

It was a really pleasant amble along the side of the lake. Looking back, you could just see the tower of the main palace building and a small boat house on the edge of the lake. It was quite a steep incline down and there was work going on to repair and restore the path. There was a warning sign set up warning those in wheelchairs or pushing children in buggies that it was dangerous to use this path. I can see why, because if you were pushing a child in a pram or buggy or someone was in a wheelchair there was a danger of it running away and landing up in the lake. We walked on, and at several places along the lake we stopped to take photographs of not only the view but a whole variety of flora. We eventually arrived at what is called the Grand Cascade. I knew there was a cascade at Blenheim, but I imagined it to be quite a gentle slope. This was more like a fairly active and fast-flowing torrent and amazingly there were a couple of ducks in the flowing water. It was a wonder they didn't get washed down into the river below.

The Grand Cascade, although from this shot you get no 

idea of it's size and scale

We continued on our walk, and eventually came to a small garden which was designed as a memorial to Winston Churchill, who was born at Blenheim Palace. In the centre there was a large and very impressive bust of the great man.

Bust of Winston Churchill

By this time we'd walked a considerable distance. A good two miles by my reckoning. We had a look around the shop, which was part of the new development along with the restaurant. I bought a guidebook, to add to my by now considerable collection of similar guidebooks, bought at other properties we've visited. We took a few more photographs as we walked to the exit and the amble back to the car in the field and to drive home towards Milton Keynes.

Boughton House Outing

We've intended visiting Boughton House for around the past 10 years. We've driven past on several occasions when we've been visiting somewhere else nearby, such as Rockingham Castle, which we visited around 6-7 years ago. You can see the house clearly from the road and it has a sort of inviting  appeal. We planned a day out yesterday, but then it clouded over and began to rain early, and Carol complained of an eye infection so we went to get some drops from Boots which, in the end, meant we stayed at home, but this morning it began sunny and pleasant so we set the SatNav and made up a picnic and drove off early. The house wasn't open before Midday so there was no point getting there too soon. According to the SatNav, it was going to take around an hour to get there. We drove away from Milton Keynes towards Olney and then towards Wellingborough and eventually Kettering. When we got nearer Boughton the SatNav wanted us to enter the estate through an entrance which was closed off with a gate which had a notice on it which said 'private' so it's not always a good idea to follow exactly the route given by this technology. I had programmed the thing with the postcode given on Boughton's website. It just goes to show you can't always trust modern technology. We continued on and took the signs which took us through a couple of attractive villages. Whenever we drive towards any of the historic houses we visit (and we've visited quite a few this summer, as you will know, if you've been following my blog posts on here.) you soon know when you're almost there because all, or virtually all, of the estates they're in have long walls running around them, which is generally a huge give-away. Soon we were at the gates of the Boughton estate, but it was around 11.50 so we drew up on the grass verge along with several other cars. Soon the gates were open and we drove in. The first thing we couldn't help noticing was the huge plume of water shooting in the air. Known as the 'jet del' Eau (Jet of Water. Simple, I suppose.)  This 70 foot plus fountain rises from a lake, called the Grand Etang (which translates as 'Great Pond.') You can't escape this magnificent feature of the landscape of Boughton because it seems to follow you around and can be seen from almost all of the grounds. Well, I suppose it would do, it's a major feature. We were certainly impressed by it.

Jet de l'eau at Boughton House

I'm afraid my photograph, which I've included above, really doesn't do justice to the actual feature. It's difficult to portray the scale of it in a photograph, and certainly not on here. This really doesn't give you any sort of idea of the size of the jet, because it's very impressive.

Having parked the car we decided to eat the picnic we'd bought with us so we sat on a rather convenient grassy bank near the car and once this was finished we walked to the stable block nearby to purchase our entry tickets. As we're H.H.A. members (Historic Houses Association) we didn't have to actually pay. We are certainly getting our money's worth with our joint membership of this organisation this year. We did, though, have to pay to gain admittance to the house itself in order to join a guided tour which was due to start at 1.15. So we had some considerable time before this guided tour so we spent it wandering around the grounds. The landscape comprises a series of walks with avenues of trees, embanked areas as well as canals and lakes, which have, apparently, been inspired by similar features at French 17th and 18th-century houses and palaces, such as Versailles

Really pleasant avenue of trees at Boughton

At around 1.00 we went to find the house entrance in order to get on the guided tour. When we got there we found people waiting and signed in. We left some of our belongings at the entrance with the staff and then the tour began. A truly amazing collection of artworks as well as furniture in each room and the lady who was the guide made it all very worthwhile and interesting.  This tour took around an hour, but it was actually only half of the house. A second guided tour would begin at around 3.15 and take you around the upstairs apartments. We had booked for this also, but as it was so warm and we'd been standing for so long we decided to abandon the idea. You aren't supposed to sit down as you go around, although some seating is provided, but it was, as I said, far too long to spend in the heat although we would have liked to have seen the rest of the house. Maybe we'll return at a later date and see the rest of the house then.

We went to buy icecream in the shop, as it was a particularly warm afternoon. We sat in the courtyard at the stables and began to chat with a couple who came to sit on the chairs at our table. It turned out that they lived in Leicestershire, by sheer coincidence, very near where Carol lived as a child, in the vicinity of Thornton, which is near Coalville. It seems amazing that you can travel miles and when you eventually bump into someone or other, begin a conversation, they tell you that they lived 'up the road' from where you live or know someone you know. Only the other week, when we went to Cambridge and were in the Fitzwilliam Museum, we began to talk to a lady who was standing and looking at a particular picture and it turned out she was also a teacher, like Carol, and she worked at a school nearby to the Milton Keynes Academy where Carol works.

We then wandered around the grounds and gardens at Boughton, admiring the gardens and then made our way back to the car and left for home.

Having followed the instructions of the SatNav, it was strange that it did not take us back the same way as we had come. At one point we were directed to drive through a ford in one of the villages, but Carol decided not to take that route. We were supposed to drive back on the M1, which wasn't the way we'd gone when we were on our way to Boughton. On arriving back in Milton Keynes we went to the K.F.C. at the stadium to buy take-away chicken and chips for our evening meal. 

Kingsman: Golden Circle filming at Althorp when we visited

It was yet another warm but not too sunny day today (Sunday) so we chose to visit Althorp, using our H.H.A. membership  (Historic Houses Association) to gain free entry. It's no more than a 45-minute drive up the M1 and off near Daventry (following the instructions given by our Garmin SatNav.) Carol went there around 10 years ago to see a Bryan Adams concert around the time we first met. An impressive drive into the estate and we were surprised to see a lot of vehicles parked, which then got me thinking it was rather familiar, having worked as a television and film extra and 'Walk-On.' It turned out to be a film unit and we discovered, having asked a member of the crew what it was and it turned out to be for a film called 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle." I have never heard of 'Kingsman' as I'm not a follower, particularly of Hollywood films. I think it must be the sequel and it turns out (having searched on I.M.D.B. that one of the stars is Colin Firth.)

The house and gardens didn't open until 11 a.m and so we had to wait 10 minutes. A number of other people turned up and we stood around until we were let into the grounds. A half-mile walk then followed to the house, quite a pleasant enough walk, but why didn't they put the carpark closer. There was one couple walking along, the husband (I presume he was her husband, but who knows.) seemed in a world of his own. He walked along the middle of the road and a vehicle, presumably from the film unit, came up behind (we were walking along the path next to the road, so we were clear of any vehicles which came along.) and the old man was totally oblivious of any vehicle and one of the men in this vehicle got out because he wouldn't move out of the way, and had to go up to him to get him to move out of the way in order to let the vehicle through.

Althorp House

We got to the house and went into the front hall (or 'Salon' as it was called.) to wait to go on a guided tour of the house. Lots of chandeliers and a very grand staircase leading to the upper floors of the house. About 20-30 people gathered and we sat in a circle waiting for the lady who was going give us the tour and then we moved off around the rooms for about an hour. Interesting what we learned and I wasn't aware that Althorp had so many historic connections. I was aware of course that Diana, Princess of Wales, had lived there, and was buried there, but not that Winston Churchill was connected to the Spencer family. We saw,  no end of paintings of the Spencer family over several generations. I don't think we would have visited if we hadn't been members of the H.H.A. because the cost for an individual adult to enter was £18 which seemed to be a bit steep considering there wasn't really a great deal to see. It is an interesting enough property and we didn't have to drive far to get there, but nothing special. Also, if it hadn't been for the SatNav I doubt we have found it, knowing our inclination to get lost when attempting to find places.
We didn't see any filming. I don't think there was any going on. I reckon they were setting things up for filming later in the week. We saw a lot of cables running across a lawn from a generation truck and black drapes over the windows of one section of the house which presumably was being set up for filming, but that was all. A lot of staff wandering around, with clipboards etc, from the film unit and other paraphernalia.

We sat and had our lunch sitting in a picnic area and left for home. Not over-impressed by the place but a nice enough day out.

Visit To Woburn Abbey

 Deer at Woburn Abbey Park 

Well, it was sunny and warm yesterday morning (Saturday) so we decided to go out. It was a necessity to just get out of Milton Keynes, after the dismal Bank Holiday. We didn't want to drive far, as petrol is such a price, so we went to Woburn Abbey as there is currently a display of sculpture on in the gardens. It's just pleasant driving through the park in the sunshine and seeing all the deer. We drove round towards the Abbey, paying at the gate and saw herds of deer under the trees, and stopped to take some photographs from the car.

Parked the car at the carpark. There is to be a charity run for the British Heart Foundation, so there are preparations for this in and around the carpark, for example tents being erected and other things going on, but that is tomorrow. We walked into the grounds, and found that you now have to enter through the gift shop. A very clever ploy, this, which means you are going to spend money in the shop. It doesn't really bother us as there is some nice stuff in there, compared to some other places we've visited. The last time we came here was several years ago, when we were members of the H.H.A. (The Historic Houses Association.) This is similar to the National Trust, whereby if you become a member you gain free access to houses and other properties in their protection or management. We were able to go to quite a few other properties when we were members, such as Blenheim Palace and Newby Hall in Yorkshire. Blenheim has been used for quite a few films, such as the Kenneth Branagh version of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' whilst Newby was used in an I.T.V. adaptation of a Jane Austen novel which starred Billie Piper.

In the gardens at Worburn Abbey there was a sculpture exhibition,  called Artbeat, which was just suited to the location, and it was pleasant to walk round and admire the works on display (or otherwise, as some of the more abstract work doesn't appeal to either of us, although some of it is interesting, nevertheless.)

These giant glasses are somewhat amusing, to say the least, although to be honest, I don't see them as 'art.' They are quite large, and you don't unfortunately, get much of an idea of scale in this photograph. This sculpture was created by Grande Disco, a collaborative project created by the artist Joel Grey in conjunction with Solubema, the largest quarry in Portugal.

I rather like these sculptures, entitled Paladins, created by Kate Denton. Further down is a close-up shot of one of the sculptures.

Love this sculpture of a dog,  by Kate Denton, complete with a stick in it's mouth. You get a sense of it enjoying it's owner throwing the stick and then going to fetch it. Quite beautifully portrayed and very realisitic.

The above dog is displayed in this grouping, with the woman sitting and relaxing on the bench and the dog in front of her waiting to play a game with her, perhaps going to fetch a stick she has thrown for him.

This I love. A pig sculpted by Kate Denton.

Not so keen on this. Interesting all the same. Just doesn't resonate for me I'm afraid.

These figures have a real sense of movement and are real fun. I rather like them.

Having walked around the garden looking at the sculpture we went to the tearoom and had something to eat. No visit to one of these places is complete without a bite to eat and drink. We were surprised at how empty the place was. On arrival there were very few cars, or, indeed, people around the place, but by the time we left it was beginning to get quite busy. No doubt it will be full of tourist around the time of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend in a month or so's time as it will no doubt be the sort of place that tourists will flock to.

Holiday Over

It has certainly been a strange few weeks. Holiday it might have been, and Christmas and New Year, but we haven't done a great deal. The weather and the snow in particular, has meant that we haven't been out and about as much as we would if the weather had been better. Being cooped up in the house hasn't exactly helped. I'm not a great one for sitting about indoors for days on end. As a couple Carol and I like to get out and visit places. We're members of the National Trust and have also been members of English Heritage and something called the H.H.A. (Historic Houses Association). Once you join these organisations you can visit these places free. It makes a great day out and means you don't pay for entry. When we were H.H.A. members, for example, we went to Blenheim Palace near Oxford. Normally single entry is around £15 each (I'd have to visit their website to find out the actual current entry price per person.) so, to get in free after being H.H.A. members meant we saved something like £30. Over a year we can visit more than enough properties to make it worth our while being members of these organisations and cover the cost of membership. At the moment most of these properties are closed, although some of the English Heritage sites do remain open throughout the winter months, but, generally, National Trust properties close around October and re-open in the spring.