A Letter to Myself
A Letter to Myself
These words are from Bobby. To himself. I was a helpless observer.
Transcript at the foot of the story for those struggling with Bobby’s writing. Remembering that Bobby was still a nervous wreck when he wrote this in 2013.
Covid-19 Guided Walk for One. Number 3: The Bluebell Walk
Number 3: The Bluebell Walk
Bertie: “Cor, I dunno! First of all he tells us he hated Holmwood Common. Then out of the blue (literally), he discovers he loves it. Writes a whole blog on it, that lots of people liked. Then he comes home and declares “That’s bleedin it. I‘m not going over there again for a while!”
It seems that the fine weather, the closeness of the common to local villages and the outskirts of Dorking had made it very popular during the Covid-19 crisis. The peace and beauty of the circular trail featured in Part 2 by the story had been ruined by too many cyclists and runners oblivious to the rules on social distancing or indeed common decency. Dogs seemed to be everywhere. But you know him. Here was an opportunity to walk a bit further in the opposite direction. Back to his favourite countryside in the Surrey Hills. This time to the hill country leading to Leith Hill and its famous tower. And the bluebell walk. Walking to the Landslip Car Park featured in Frank’s Walk. (more…)
Two Hundred – Yes this the 200th story posted by Mindfully Bertie!
Two Hundred.
To celebrate, we have a short story for you. The Teddy Bears’ Picnic was due to be held on 8 May. As in previous years, we had been asked to write a story for the programme. By the time we did, the picnic was cancelled. Instead, they have a virtual Teddy Bears’ Picnic on Facebook and the story appears on that. You may also like to see the last time the Picnic appeared in Mindfully Bertie in 2018. A glorious day for the picnic…
And as you know, the VE Day street party was also cancelled and took place instead in the front garden of Laurel Cottage. It was in effect a Teddy Bears’ Picnic!
VE Day. 8 May 2020. The 75th Anniversary.
VE Day.
The famous ’V’ sign so often attributable to Winston Churchill did in fact originate in occupied Belgium as a sign of defiance against the invaders. It was banned by the Germans, but still appeared everywhere you could scribble a V. (more…)
The Rolls-Royce of Honey
The Rolls-Royce of Honey
Luxury cars may not be your priority at the moment, but where are they made? Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are made at Goodwood, in a futuristic assembly plant surrounded by a large countryside estate. Andrew would like to tell you a little known fact about Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Over to you Andrew. (more…)
Goodbye Montana.
Goodbye Montana
We came to live in Laurel Cottage in 1999. Diddley already lived here. The house looked very different then.
Laurel Cottage left. Vitae Cottage right. 1998.
Mattock Mike
The Charitable Paths of Holmwood
This week we are delighted to hand over our mid week blog to Mike next door. He may be the same age as Bobby, but has ten times his energy! A mattock is his chosen weapon. But first, a hefty sledgehammer. And all to raise money for his charity. St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley. Over to you Mike… (more…)
Tulips at Dunsborough Park
Tulips
Back in April 2015, Diddley showed Bobby an advert in the local newspaper for a “Tulip Festival”. It was at a garden he had not heard of. Dunsborough Park at Ripley. Not far from RHS Wisley Gardens. Just about this time, in April. They went and loved it. Particular the charity run garden tea. She became tired quite quickly and they were content to just go round the formal garden. Not realising that this was a much bigger garden. It was also the very last open garden they would ever go to. Just four months later and life changed for ever. (more…)
Kate
Kate
Artistic people find all sorts of ways to express their creativity. Some paint wonderful pictures. Others find their love of music by making it or composing it. Some draw pictures of exquisite detail. Photographers find true beauty in their art. And, of course, writers love writing. Whether it be Dickens or a blog. Our great friend Kate has drawn a picture especially for Mindfully Bertie at this troubled time. (more…)
Covid-19 Guided Walk for One. Number 2: Holmwood Common.
Number 2: Holmwood Common
Bobby grew up in North Cheam. Surrey then. Greater London now. In his young days, he loved cycling south to the Surrey Hills at Boxhill and Dorking. He made friends with a young lady. They were both still at school, but shared a love of walking in the Surrey Hills. Many is the time they caught a London Country bus no 408 or 470 – to anywhere between Dorking and Guildford. (more…)