The Allotment
Bertie: “It’s too bleedin ‘ot!”
Bobby: “I know, Bertie. It might help if you took that scarf off!”
Bertie: “No way. I’d feel naked without it.”
Bobby: “You would be!” (more…)
We Won the Cup… Hoorah!
Worthing Town Ladies Under 12, with coach Andy.
Was it the “Greatest Day” again so soon after the last one? “Greatest days” come in all shapes and sizes. In football terms, it could be England 1966. Or East Preston Under 10s in 2019. And who could forget Sutton United just a few weeks ago! But now we celebrate with Worthing Town Ladies Football Club. (more…)
Far From the Madding Crowd – Times Two
Far From the Madding Crowd: Part 1. Wisley.
Far From the Madding Crowd at Wisley Gardens. Book your online ticket early. The timed slots soon get filled up. Choose an early one to avoid car park bedlam. But don’t be deterred, later is OK if you are patient. Late afternoon is a lovely time to go, and the gardens close at 18.00. (more…)
Amber and Layla
Amber was Diddley’s eldest daughter. A top photographer in London, she lived for a time in a loft apartment at 31 Fournier Street. A tall 400 year old former Huguenot weaver’s house. Owned by Rodney Archer. A true character of Spitalfields. Bobby and Diddley’s granddaughter Layla became very close to Amber and stayed many times with her at 31 Fournier Street. She often met Rodney and his cat Fitzroy. And, on occasion, went with Amber to stay on her houseboat on the River Orwell at Pinmill in Suffolk.
Layla at 31 Fournier Street. 2014. Rodney’s cat Fitzroy.
“May” – John Clare
John Clare
John Clare (13 July 1793 – 20 May 1864) was an English poet. The son of a farm labourer, he became known for his celebration of the English countryside and sorrows at its disruption. How familiar is that with the 21st Century?
He died impoverished in a lunatic asylum and it was only in more recent times in the late 20th Century that his work was recognised for being as great as it is. Maybe it’s the times we live in that it has taken nearly 200 years, and still bemoan what we continue to lose in the English countryside. (more…)
We Saved the Moon Daisies… Year 2
Moon Daisies
Yes! We saved the Moon Daisies again. This time in May/June 2021. By “we”, we mean collectively all those who cared about, were disappointed by or, in our case, dismayed that once again our memory of Diddley loving the Moon Daisies had been besmirched by Surrey County Council (SCC). (more…)
Welsh Walks: Walk Around Strumble Head
Bertie: “Wake up, Hefyn! we are going back to Wales. I am on holiday with Bobby and the other bears. You are narrator. Over to you mate.”
Hefyn: “Aahhh, boyo. I have been waiting for this! You did that fantastic walk round Strumble Head last October and now we can share it with our readers. If you haven’t been to Pembrokeshire, make sure you do before you snuff it. It’s glorious. Has the best beaches in the world. The most wonderful islands and wildlife. It might rain now and again, but that’s why it is so beautiful. Next week we will tell you all about where Bobby and the bears are staying. But for now, here is one of the best walks in Wales and, therefore, the world.”
hybrid
(have a lovely day)
A Welsh Walk around Strumble Head
Green: Main walk. Orange: Alternate diversion near the end of the walk. Click on the map for a larger version).
This walk is glorious. Even the car parking space is extra special. Being directly opposite the memorial to the Welsh poet Dewi Emrys. The words on the memorial translated are:
Car parking.
Memorial to Dewi Emrys.
The lane leads to the Youth Hostel, with reputedly the finest view of any hostel in Britain.
The walk starts at the coast path sign at the entrance to the hostel. It’s then coast path with the sea on the left all the way to Strumble Head.
YHA Pwll Deri… (Bobby’s stayed there a few times).
The start of the walk. Nice seat.
Seal pup in the autumn. These in October in any cove visible from the path.
Carn Llidi. Highest point on the coast near St David’s (far distance).
Garn Fawr. The highest point, at the end of the walk.
Strumble Head just round the corner.
Strumble Head Lighthouse.
Watch the light phases. They tell mariners which lighthouse they are seeing the light from:
Strumble Head has an old derelict WW11 observation building. Perfect for bird watchers. Lots of information posters. Click for full size version.
The weather starting closing in when we were inside the observation building.
The Irish Ferry from Fishguard.
From Strumble Head the walk heads inland along the lane, with Garn Fawr at the top of the hill.
Classic Pembrokeshire cottage.
Needs TLC.
Turn right. The weather turned later and we took the diversion route (shown orange on the map). So we decided to go back the following day to go over Garn Fawr.
On top of Garn Fawr
The Trig Point on top of Garn Fawr.
A panorama from Garn Fawr:
And back to the car. We really liked the following description of virtually the same walk without the Youth Hostel, but parking at Strumble head. Beautiful photography.
www.andrewswalks.co.uk/strumble-head.html
Lighting a Candle for Diddley
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The Greatest Day
Bobby, Jenny (mascot), David, Andrew.
It was the Greatest Day for Sutton United. A small football club from Surrey had beaten the odds and the big boys to become a Football League club. Founded 123 years ago, the vast majority of its football life has been as an amateur team. Only in recent years, as amateur status declined, did it become part time professional. In 1965 Sutton became a Greater London Borough and the club is now know as a South London team. (more…)
Wisteria
There is something majestic about Wisteria. Each year, in May, these fantastic plants come into their own. There is no other plant quite like them. In Japan and China where they originate they have assumed mystical qualities and have been turned into quite incredible exhibitions of creativity. (more…)