Art at Hertford

I am delighted to be able to take Jago to his Friday morning Art class in Hertford.  Jago is great company on the journey there and back and I get to wander around Hertford for the two hours he is in class, calling in at the Oxfam Bookstore and sometimes having coffee in a nice little cafe. 

Hertford is the county town of Hertfordshire and much smaller than Watford ~ but much more of a country town and more attractive ~ with its own castle (!!), rivers and pretty houses and back streets.  It is also the administrative centre of Hertfordshire County Council and the headquarters of the Education Department.  Like Watford (because of the rivers) it was a brewery town.  In fact it still is.  Although Watford's last brewery closed in the 1970s (I think). 

I remembered my camera today but it was only when I was back at the art centre that I realised my photos were over exposed as I had the camera on the wrong setting (pah!) but here are ones I took back at the centre:

Art Centre

Garden at the side

I'm not totally sure what these are! 
Made of metal anyway and look like pods?

The totem pole

I love this one ~ I generally sit on the bench for the last few minutes while waiting for the end of class
~ and it is so peaceful in this little corner.

Today I bought a couple of books at Oxfam ~ 'The 50 people who buggered up Britain' (very funny!) and '101 Tray Bakes' ~ I'm a rotten cook but always optimistic!  

I also wandered into the castle grounds which are also very peaceful.  Photos of the castle next time ~ if it's not pouring with rain!

I need to get out in my garden to tidy and plant a few bulbs!  Hopefully over the weekend.

Back soon

Po xx

Another week gone by . . .

Crumbs ~ how swiftly Time flies!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday were good : 

a trip to Hertford with Jago, lunch with Stella, Jago, Rpie and Npie

helping get ready for Scouts' Jumble Sale (NOT my fave job!)

clearing up after the Jumble Sale (marginally better)

quick walk around Cassiobury Park

visit to St Andrews Church, Nascot, for Heritage Open Days

loads ~ I mean really LOADS! ~ of work on the computer 

and then it was Monday again . . .

so the plumber came and finished off the work on the shower and the bath

I went to Three Rivers Museum and helped Pa set up a display on a very old (18th century) Bible which has been lent to us for a while.  The display also showcases the diary of John White who was part of the family who owned the Bible.  I forgot to take a photo of the display but I will do so next time ~ although that's probably not for a week or two.  

In the meantime, however, here is a photo of the museum itself which is in Rickmansworth High Street.  It is also called Basing House and was at one time the home of William Penn of Pennsylvania fame and has a number of items associated with him.  Our other 'famous' former resident was George Eliot who actually lived in our school ~ or at least part of it.  When I was there that part was the convent and the school was to the side.  With expansion, however, the convent has been absorbed into the school and is now the admin area.   

This is the former convent ~ with St Joan standing there on her plinth!  

Women's group in the evening.  At So's house where we had pancakes.  Yay!  So is French and the 2018 Summer Supper was held at her house.  It happened that that Saturday was also Bastille Day so we all brought as near French cuisine as we could rustle up and dressed in stripey t-shirts and berets.  Unbeknownst to us a video had been made of us all sitting round the table so we had quite a chuckle at that! 

Tuesday was Poetry Group and we looked at Rupert Brooke's poems.  I love that we have to do a little research each time.  Although he is known as a war poet and I knew he died during the war I hadn't realised that he died as early as April 1915 and consequently never knew the dreadful trench warfare that Owen and Sassoon, for example, had to endure later on. Which is why his poems are of a much more optimistic and patriotic nature.  I had chosen 'One Day' and 'Pine-Trees and the Sky: Evening' to read.

Then in the evening to the Scouts' Book Browse.  Where ~ of all things ~ I picked up Marcel Pagnol's 'My Father's Glory'.   This was one of our French 'A' level texts and I had forgotten all about it.  Thankfully this book is a translation ~ I've forgotten French as well! 

Wednesday ~ Book Club here at Ticklepenny

We had been reading 'Brick Lane' by Monica Ali (haven't yet posted in the 'reading section' ~ ummm!).  We had all enjoyed it and it lead to a very enjoyable discussion.  We felt that the characters were well drawn and believable (mostly) and the plot engaging.  We talked about how difficult it must be to come to a foreign land with no knowledge of the language, no friends and missing homeland and family.   Brick Lane is in the East End of London so we talked about the fact that it had been home to so many immigrants over the years (including one of  our member's family) and how the clothing industry settled in that area.  We laughed a lot too ~ which is always good!

Today:  Stella popped round with Npie (all the others at school or doing assignments) and asked if I would like to go for a walk.  So we did.  Into Watford to Specsavers to get Rpie's glasses fixed and then back again.  Because I am always in too much haste I never seem to make the time to walk in ~ just get in the car and go ~ but it's really a lovely walk and most of it through parkland and by the river.   It took not much more than an hour so there was time for coffee (for Stella and me) and playtime for Npie before they nipped off to get Rpie  from Nursery school.  

This afternoon: finishing minutes and 'seeing to' other school stuff.  

The nights are certainly drawing in now~ only eight o'clock and already dark.

Back soon

Po xx

Busy Days . . .

Tuesday
Plumber  came, 60% of jobs done and coming again on Monday to, hopefully complete.
CWL in evening.  Ja had asked a speaker to talk about how to research one's family and fore-bears.   The talk was illustrated by  the speaker showing how, with input from Ja, she had traced several members of Ja's family on the website, 'Find My Past' and started to build a family tree.  It was really fascinating and made me keen to get on with our tree.  And the speaker was brilliant.  And she was Stella!  😊

Yesterday
Met MaM and JoS at the Cha Cafe in Cassiobury Park.  It's a lovely little cafe with a good choice of comestibles.  We spent a pleasant couple of hours, had a good chat and a jolly decent pot of tea between us.  I go there fairly often and will try to remember to take a photo next time.  

Book Club in evening at Ni's house.  We had been reading Maggie O'Farrell's 'This must be the Place'.  All had enjoyed it.  Very well plotted  and the writing was excellent and drew us all in.  But we really needed to keep our brains on alert as characters, places and timeline jumped around quite alarmingly!

Today
Afternoon: Talk at the Museum about alms houses in Watford.  We have eight, built in 1580,  that are very well known but there are also a number 'hidden' around the town ~ some which have now become private homes. Below are the oldest (1580) almshouses ~ know as the Bedford  (and also, apparently, Essex) Almshouses.  

There are still residents in situ today.   And then, because it was the event starting 'Heritage Open Days' , we had tea, coffee and Special Cake! 

Evening:
The Museum held a 'Viewing' of photographs and art work of  Watford views past and present.  It was interesting trying to decide from which spot exactly the views were taken. 

I was pleased to have worked out where in Watford this is!  Sutton Road with St John's Church just right of centre and the Orphanage in the background.

This is one of the courts off the High Street (we think!).  I am always intrigued by old views of the High Street as I know my great-great-grandparents lived in the High Street.  One of those figures could be one of my relations haha

 
I love this.  It is called 'Unknown part of Watford'.  So for history it's not much use but it's a lovely little painting!

More busy days ahead!  Yay!

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Po xx

The Ninth of the Ninth

Brrrh!  Autumn is almost here.  It is certainly turning chilly but for all that it's my favourite season.  And another thing: little Npie was born at the end of September last year and her second name is 'Autumn'.  (Her first name is fairly conventional and I will reveal it one day . . . just not yet.)

So today I had a quiet morning catching up on reading and jobs ~ mainly jobs!  

A couple of hours this afternoon at Three Rivers Museum in Ricky where I volunteer.  Getting ready for an exhibition ~ pics and story when it is completed.  

This evening I shall be out at Sixth Ricky Scouts' meeting and then on to our 'local' to catch up with Pa after the long summer break.  

Today, the Ninth of the Ninth, is the anniversary of our wedding day ~ 47 years.  And, since we married at Our Lady's in Rickmansworth which is the church to which the Scouts group is attached and where I shall be tonight, I am posting a photo of us as we exited the church after the service. 

That's Eric on the right and the reason he is laughing is that Boogs was holding my train so high that my 'underpinnings' were unexpectedly on view and Janey and Frances (my bridesmaids) were desperately trying to 'cover me up'.  
That's the church to the side. It hasn't altered at all!

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Po xx

Moreton Show

Yay! Moreton Show!

My lovely friends, Ge and He, live in Moreton in Marsh in the Cotswolds where the town holds a show every year on the first Saturday in September.  

Set off really early and arrived at Ge and He's before 8.30 for 'breakfast' of tea and bacon butties.  We were a jolly crew: Janey and Eric came, other friends An and Ri, as well as Ge and He's daughter Me and wife Em and their friend Je.  

Cattle parade 

The show is wonderful: a real 'country' event with 30,000 animals (apparently) to be seen and  an equal number of visitors.  Dogs are more than welcome so it was nice to see many trotting around with their people ~ and all so well behaved.  

Deciding where to go!

All manner of items associated with the country were on show.  Vintage tractors ~ oh the nostalgia!

 

Next stop: animal tent:

alpaca

 

 piglets

ducks

Onward to outside pens and judging areas:

 getting in line for judging

winner!

 I LOVE goats! ~ the black one with the horns was my fave ~ but he didn't win

 I'm scared of cows let alone bulls ~ 

but what a magnificent chap he is!

Then off to the craft and produce tent . . .

The competitors display with admirable precision!

And beautiful flower arrangements:

I particularly liked this arrangement ~ and so did the judges!   ~ but sadly my photo just doesn't do it justice

gorgeous dahlias

I really liked this idea: competitors collected their items on Friday night then had to use all of them to make their arrangement ~ then get them back to the tent by early morning Saturday

        

There were so many different ideas ~ but I've inadvertently deleted at least three of them ~ doh!

Handicrafts:

 

And . . . most important of all . . . Ge's entries in the baking . . .

Third prize for his savoury scones

Second prize for quiche

and Second prize for carrot cake

Yay!!!

We had all walked a fair bit by then so stopped off for eats and drinks.  Fair weather, no rain and nothing so good as eating outside and watching the world and his wife and his dog stroll by.  

Then a little retail was called for ~ stalls of speciality foods, niche drinks, clothing of all types, jewellery, tools, home items, outdoor furniture and toys for children and pets. Probably more but I can't remember.  

It is only a short stroll back to Ge and He's home where we sat around chatting and laughing and then tucking in to lasagne, salad and garlic bread around the big table.  Lots of laughs, good food and friendship.  

What a great day!  Home before ten.  Tired but very happy.

Back soon

Po xx

 

Frances White

Today I had a hygienist appointment and, while sitting in the chair, my thoughts turned to my lovely friend, Frances and her poem 'Appointment with Mrs Hardill' (Mrs Hardill was the family dentist).  

In truth my thoughts are never very far from Frances ~ she died last Christmas Eve: my best friend through school and far beyond and very much missed ~ I am always thinking of things to tell her before I remember I can't.  Frances had had Motor Neuron Disease for just over a year ~ a cruel disease ~ her life ended far too soon.  

Frances was a talented, and published poet and had launched her first solo book, Swiftscape, in October 2016. 
I was going to reproduce the cover, the 'about the author' and one of the poems on here.  But perhaps I had better not as it is copyright and needs permission from the publisher.  She can be found on the web, however, here: 

http://www.poetrypf.co.uk/franceswhitebiog.shtml

As well as a few biographical details, a few of Frances' poems are to be found there including one of my favourites: Llwynperdid Farm which describes teenage years' horse riding in South Wales on annual summer hols with her family.   

Frances and I met on our first day at secondary school and became fast friends almost immediately.  We were both high spirited and mischievous and forever in some form of trouble.  Our Chemistry teacher dubbed us 'a pair of bouncing molecules'!!


We continued in touch throughout the following 50 plus years, getting together, talking on the phone, putting the world to rights ~ but mostly laughing.   

Her poems are sensitive and very moving and prizes and accolades she won so very well deserved.  A second book of her poems will be published in early October.  I will be attending the launch.

Thank you for reading.

Back soon

Po xx

Museum!

So here I proudly show . . . Watford Museum!

The museum is located at the lower end of the High Street (which is rather 'out of the way') but near to the High Street station.  It used to be the offices of Benskins' Brewery and, prior to that, was the home of the brewery owner.  That end of the town has the River Colne running through it which is why, at the end of the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, Watford became something of a brewery town. 

All our artifacts and precious things used to be displayed in cases in the library but at some point the council bought the house and  in 1981 it was opened for its current purpose.  When we moved back to Watford in 1982 it was exciting to learn that we now had a museum! And when the girls were at school we would often nip down to wander about although the displays never altered.   The girls' favourite section was the Victorian corner ~ a little crib, various bits of clothing and household implements and crockery and this . . . 

which is an oven as near to the one my grandparents had in their home when I was growing up as makes no difference.  

There are many different sections as Watford has a rich and varied history: breweries and pubs, printing, the canal, railways, WWI and WWII, prehistory, the football club, schools,  artworks from Cassiobury House (now demolished) and the Earls of Essex who lived there and the growth of the town itself  from a small market town to the largest town in Hertfordshire.

It has to be said that the place is seriously in need of a considerable amount of money being thrown at it!  We were fortunate in being awarded a Lottery grant for improvements but, for reasons too long to detail, we are not going to be able to access it after all. Any way today I was there for a Friends of Watford Museum committee meeting.   The problem of money remains . . . a problem of money!  And we were discussing other matters anyway.  

The museum puts on some great events for all comers:  arty workshops, exhibitions and performance events.  There have been  a couple of  good exhibitions on WWI to which I took Dpip ~ he has an interest in history ~ and an amazing evening called 'Impropera' (which means 'improvised opera') where a quartet entertained us with . . . well improvised opera . . . totally impromptu and totally hilarious.  

And my dear friend, Frances, had her book launch there in 2016 . . . . but the tale of that will have to wait for another day.

Back soon

Po xx

Not a lot happened

1.  Phoned a plumbing company.  At last!  My shower can only, apparently, provide cold water (brrrh!).  I wouldn't have known as I always have baths but poor Eric and Janey suffered when last they stayed.  Not fun!  God job they told me though!  Plus both basins have plugs which don't stay plugged, one basin has a very wobbly tap and the tap on the bath drips.  So my plumbing is in a parlous state.  Man comes next Tuesday DV.  

2.  This afternoon I had several odds and ends that needed doing: podiatrist visit, shopping, and popping into school very quickly.  

3.  Home, sat in the garden with a mug of tea, watched the news (aaargh!!!), read a little of 'Norse Mythology' (trying to keep up with Jago's book list for his G.C.S.E.!) and had a look at my notes for the museum meeting tomorrow afternoon.  

Not a lot happened really.  I will have to charge my camera and take some photos.  I normally use my mobile phone but for some reason when I send them to the computer they always arrive up sideways right, sideways left or upside down!  And even my editing rarely comes out the right way up.  It's all very frustrating hahaha

Back soon

Po xx