Well, we saved £24 ... sort of...

We went to Bath on Friday. In passing we looked at the Habitat closing down forever sale. Few items were left, even fewer we actually wanted however there were boxes of white crockery. 12 pieces for £12. Two sets of that would do quite nicely in my shiny new kitchen. One to use and one for spares. £24 for two table services, seemed reasonable.

We walked around the store some more, toyed with the idea of buying the 'three drawer hutch' taht was missing the top section or the bookcase with only a few scratches. By this time reality had intruded. Not only would we have to lug said boxes of crockery up and down the streets of Bath but there would soon be nowhere to store extraneous items in my house. We are just three weeks away from breaking ground. So we left the shiny white plates and bowls on the shelf.

Saturday we mooched up and down the High Street up here on The Hill. Our fancy schmancy bead shop is consolidating and ours is the shop to close. We went in so Princess C-W could choose some beads. We walked out with this.

A four foot square, gold mirror that must be the bastard lovechild of a Dr. Suess book and the Roccoco movement.

I love it!

It resonated.

I read Fox's Lane's post today. It resonated. I left the following comment.

"For 17 years I have been walking my dogs across the hilltop of my town and each time I take at least a few minutes to take in the beauty of the view, imagine those who have walked that same hilltop during past millenia, watch the trees being moved by everything from gentle Summer breezes to bitter, snow-filled gales. Each time. Slow is definitely the way to live."

A morning walk

Such was our delight at seeing a clear sky after so many days of rain My Assistant and I set off on our regular morning walk with extra cheeriness.

Heading away from destructoBoy's school we skirted around the bottom of The Hill past the Community Field. The ducks seem to have left for new homes but the bleating of lambs made up for it.

In the shade of the mature hedgerows the full deliciousness of the dog-roses was revealed.

While further out onto The Common the Rose Bay Willowherb spreads thick and wild over the both sides of the laneway, dwarfing us as we headed back to the car.

Round one final bend and the end of our stroll was in sight.

It was a joy to be outside.

*all pics taken with my camera*

Only on my hilltop.

A third of the way from the top the trees bend in and meet, dappling the cobbled path that clings to the side of the hill. Walking with the dogs down to the car I smiled and politely said 'Good Morning' to the elderly woman coming toward me. My Assistant had just disgraced herself by chasing a cat nearly in through its front door and so was back on lead. The Big Black Dog was freely mooching.

This old lady always wears a green sleeveless cardigan over her patterned polyester dress, her stick-thin legs clad in coloured tights and in white trainers. Her body is slightly hunched but her chin is always up and she faces the climb with vigour and determination whatever the weather. Holding in place the thin Heidi plait across her head there is always a knotted scarf. And I have never seen her without a slash of bright red lipstick to glamorise the face hidden behind enormous brown glasses.

We stopped on the hill to chat while she stroked My Assistant's head.

"Now don't tell me, this is a Sealyham isn't it?" Before I could explain she kept going. "No, no. It is an Aberdeen Terrier isn't it?"

I agreed because since My Assistant joined us we have learnt this is the very old-fashioned name by which Scottish Terriers are known.

"Kipling had two of these you know. Ah yes, I remember them well. Friend of my parents' you see. Even all those years ago and I can still remember them. Now, what were they called...let me see... yes, there was Wog and oh what was the other one called... James. Wog and James. Wog was sweet natured but James was a bit, well you know, ... oh how would you describe it ... yes, that's it, cantankerous!

Personally I prefer cats. I've always had cats. Dogs live to serve and worship whereas cats are used to being worshipped. The ancient Egyptians you know, Bast, worshipped her. Right then. Must be off. Goodbye."

I have heard stories that she worked for S.O.E. as part of the French Resistance.

I am willing to believe.

Street Party Review

Lovely day. Sun came out occasionally. Loads of lovely new people met. Dogs happily running around scarfing dropped food. Son played football. Daughter coloured in chalk bunting decorating the pavements.

Played boules. Had a go an Alpine horn, sadly seem to have lost my embouchure but hit a few notes. Drenched after waterballoon-tossing competition went badly awry. Broke my son, not a good plan to burst a waterbomb down the neck of a sobbing child. Especially not when you caused the pain-based sobs in the first place.

Shared food with friends. ''Bobby on the beat" biscuits seemingly a success. Bought raffle tickets. Didn't win a single prize. Didn't win the cake competition either.

Had a great afternoon and plans are already afoot for the Jubilee in 2012.