Student life

The interior of nearly all education establishments looks the same. Several still have the one-way and distancing signage that was put up in COVID-times. One wonders if 'temporary' signs are left in place for so long that they are invisible, this presents a danger that new warning signs will be equally ignored. Does that mean that obsolete signs present a risk hazard themselves? I told you I was doing workplace Health & Safety units for my course.

 

Meanwhile, the exterior and surrounds of said establishments differs greatly. I don't recall anything like this in Manchester.

I popped into town to meet Him Outdoors who was setting up a stall at the Multi-cultural Festival. As I walked past the Big Little Man sculpture, I noticed that it had acquired an Asian conical hat. Perhaps this is appropriate for the festival, while also encouraging a sun smart message.  

The Big Little Man by Dean Bowen

Earlier this month at The Ovations Awards and Celebration Dinner, I won a voucher for Saffron restaurant in a raffle. So, before we went to see another play for the Ovations judging committee, Purple Lady and I made the most of the voucher to enjoy a meal and show. The East Mediterranean restaurant serves Greek, Lebanese and Moroccan dishes with a focus on shared plates and lots of chick peas, rice, yoghurt and garlic. We had the Mezze House Banquet for two.

Selection of dips and dolmades

Kabak, Bourak and Mantar

At the weekend I walked around Weston Park, where, unbeknownst to me, there was a rowing regatta taking place. I find the sight of colourful blades laid out in neat rows on the grass very pleasing and it takes me back to growing up beside the river. 

Week Thirty-Five: Half a World Away

Driving up to Christchurch airport we pass Lake Dunstan. It is cold, still, and clear. I am not going to see conditions like this for a while, so I whip out the camera kerbside and snap a few scenic shots.

Singapore airport is hot and steamy and in the butterfly house there is a lot of feeding and breeding going on. I have to wait for my lens to demist.

In Marlow, walks with family take us along the river, through the woods and into pubs - funny that.

Of course, we linger to reminisce by Bisham Church where we got married eight years ago.

I've always loved haybales, or Dougals as they are more familiarly known. There is something about their symmetry and shape which feels very picturesque - although I'm not so keen on seeing them in their black plastic body bags.

Marlow Church, bridge and lock look stunning in the morning light.

I once read a novel by Colette in which a character who grew up by the Marne says that he thought Marne was the word for river - I understood how he felt. The Thames was my river; it underlined my childhood like a wavy blue/green highlighter.

We had our wedding reception at Court Garden, although the statue of Sir Steven wasn't there then - I think it makes a pretty good addition.

Whenever Him Outdoors sees Chiltern stone buildings on the TV dramas, he helpfully points out, 'That's Round Your Way'. He's right; here is a fine example of said stone.

 

And here are my neiblings (a nice combined word for neices and nephews) playing at Burnham Beeches (they were fine after the initial shock that it wasn't 'that sort of beach'. How young is too young to know the word homonymn, do you think?