The House Husband

with occasional entries by The Dean

Good -v- Evil

Susanne and Rafi came over for lunch today. Although the morning was grey, it soon brightened up and the afternoon was gorgeous. This was fortunate since Mirinda forced Susanne to go on a massive countryside tramp.

I made three courses for lunch (carrot & fennel soup, Cajun lamb & Jesuitas for dessert) which Rafi didn’t eat but everyone else enjoyed. The Jesuitas were an experiment.

I was introduced to these marvellous Portuguese pastry delights in a small sandwich shop in South Kensington. Sometimes on my way home from the Science Museum, I would pop in and grab one. I have been trying to find a recipe for them and finally managed to locate a sort of home based one on Friday night which I felt I could work out.

A Jesuita is puff pastry top and bottom with a custard type filling and meringue on the top. Ridiculously delicious and quite naughty. While my first batch were not exactly perfect (though I know where I went wrong for next time) they were devoured with great enthusiasm. I reckon even Dad would like the Jesuita.

After lunch Mirinda took Susanne and the poodles off for a tramp around Frensham while Rafi and I settled down to watch a film which Rafi had decided I would totally love. And he was right. Even though he gave away the twist within about five minutes of the beginning of the film!

The film was Megamind and was brilliant. Talk about appealing to both kids and adults! Apart from having a great story and characters, it is hilarious. Highly recommended, no matter what age is watching.

Will Ferrell (Megamind), Tina Fey (Roxie) & Brad Pitt (Metro Man) are superb, as are the rest of the cast. It took me a while to realise where I knew David Cross’s (Minion) voice from but eventually I got it. He was in Arrested Development, a favourite in our household.

Eventually Mirinda and Susanne returned. The walk around Frensham had been far too long for, city girl, Susanne. She complained about the lack of a Starbucks halfway round and Mirinda said they had to stop for a 15 minute rest at one point. Susanne said that next time she comes over she’ll be wearing more sensible shoes. Instead of her trainers, she’s going to bring heels which should let her out of any ridiculous country tramps.

Anyway, apart from the hellish walk, the day was lovely. At one point, Rafi grabbed my glasses and wellies and posed for an impression of me on the patio.

Rafi's impression of me

Such a funny kid and not at all camera shy.

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Another long haul home

Everything was almost back to normal today after a little jaunt up north. I walked Mirinda to the station and, to get things properly back to normal, I then took a bus to Frensham to pick up the poodles.

As usual they were overjoyed to see me and then we started the long march home. The weather was kind – not too hot with many bursts of sunshine. We didn’t see a lot of people at Frensham Little Pond. Two and a dog, to be exact. Very unusual. Still, the poodles didn’t mind. They also didn’t mind the pigs who were very vocal and smelly today.

Of course, the Barley Mow at Tilford was closed when we reached it (at 11:30) so we sat on the cricket green for a mud-walk rest where we watched a bit of truck ballet between these two removalists lorries. For obvious reasons, I couldn’t resist a photo.

No relation, I'm sure

I’m not sure why but they did a sort of back and forth manoeuvre before one of them pulled forward and a load of men went to the back of it and started moving a load of blankets and a set of ramps around. it was all very mysterious. We sat and watched for about half an hour before heading over the bridge for our next section. We spotted a chap with a camera snapping away at the river and bridge but didn’t really think anything about it.

When we reached the horrible bit of the walk, where we walk along a rather nasty road, Carmen asked if we could go and visit Waverley Abbey, since we were so close. I wasn’t aware of her love of the ecclesiastical and was more than happy to oblige. We were quite close, after all.

So, instead of taking the right up to Mother Ludlam’s cave, we turned left and walked into the Waverley Abbey carpark. There to greet us was the chap who had been photographing the river at Tilford. He smiled at us and asked me if there was an old church nearby. Apparently a chap had told him there was. I pointed behind him.

There’s the first Cistercian Abbey in England just over there. It was built in 1128 so I guess that’s pretty old. It’s a ruin now though, thanks to Henry VIII.
That’s fine. I wanted to take some photographs,” he explained. “Is it ok if I park my car here?
That’s the carpark, so I’m sure it’s fine.

We left him to unpack his photographic equipment and strolled down the path by the river towards the ruins.

The Abbey always looks lovely but it really shone today, when the sun put in an appearance. It’s so peaceful that you understand straight away why those long ago monks decided to stop walking from France and started building their monastery.

Just one bit of the Abbey ruins

We had a jolly good wander around, making sure to satisfy Carmen’s curiosity, before heading back to the track. We stopped for a second to snap a picture of Waverley house (which isn’t open to the public).

Very stately, very inaccessible to Joe Public

The rest of the walk home dragged on, foot after foot, inch after inch, until we finally spotted the 6 Bells and took the alley towards the park. It was a very tired twosome who walked through the door. Day-z, of course, was still full of beans and had to do a quick run down the path to make sure it was still there. I have no idea how she can walk six miles then still have the energy for this. But she does. Carmen just collapsed and remained that way for the duration of the day…and night.

Here they are, stopping by the river before Tilford, looking like fuzzy felt figures of fun. They’re off for a haircut tomorrow and will look VERY different!

I reckon the hair is slowing them down

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I have also uploaded a few of our Hereford photographs to a new album. You can see it here. I promise, there’s only a few.

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Sore feet

Today was about travelling.

It started in Canary Wharf with a lovely ferry ride with Mirinda where we sat outside and enjoyed the morning Thames along with the other happy commuters. It really is the best way to travel to work. Mirinda left at Embankment and I went the final stop to the Eye.

It seems that trains out to Farnham do not leave every half hour in the mornings. I arrived just in time to catch the 9:25 only to find that it doesn’t exist. It gave me time to get some breakfast though and then I waited for the 9:53.

I dragged my wheelie bag, making as much noise as I possibly could, to an empty (but very tidy) house. I just had time to top up the bird feed, scan and email a very important document to Leigh at Lloyds then head off back into Farnham to catch the bus to Frensham.

I love getting off the bus at Frensham Great Pond. It feels like I’ve been dropped in the middle of nowhere with nowhere to go. The bus drives off and it’s just me…and the rest of the traffic. Still, if you ignore the noise from the main road, the pond looked lovely as I walked around it to the kennel.

I arrived at the kennel at 1:15, forgetting that they have lunch between 1 and 2. They were all shut up so I wandered further along the road to the Frensham Pond Hotel where there’s always a multitude of aquatic birds. I found a spot and sat down, deciding to snap away to my heart’s content.

The sign should include swans, geese and coots

There were an awful lot of coots, chasing each other, diving under the water, making their strange noises. I managed to take a LOT of photos of them. The best, I blipped though it was a tough choice. I thought this one was quite cute.

Move away from the camera!

The geese were very happy to pose as well. I think a lot of people who stay at the hotel, stand around snapping away at them all so they’re well used to the attention.

The three stooges

Time just flew by and I soon bade farewell to all my fine feathered friends and wandered back to the kennels where two little balls of fluff (not so little in one case) tried as hard as they could to knock me over. After a bit of riotous greetings that the kennel lady thought was hilarious, we set off on the long trek home.

I was a bit concerned how Carmen’s leg would hold up since this will be her first (really) long walk so I kept an eye on her. I’m glad to report that she didn’t favour it at all for the entire trip…though she was limping a bit after we’d been home for a while. Clearly it had gone to sleep with her but not woken up at the same time. That’s par for the course with Carmen.

I always find the toughest part of the walk home (apart from the final bit) is walking up the hill between the ponds. Even after the fire, it’s still steep and really takes it out of me. Fortunately there’s a seat at the top for tired humans to sit on and annoy poodles who want to keep going.

The walk up the hill

So, across the front of the Little Pond and down the track that leads to the pig farm we went. The pigs must be hand fed because as we approached along the narrow path, they all raced towards the fence between us, a hallelujah chorus of grunts issuing forth, frightening the poodles. This one reminded Carmen of sausages…not that she’d say it in front of her.

Where's my dinner?

I think it’s a Gloucester old spot. If so, it’s my favourite kind of sausage. Whatever kind of pig it is, the poodles really wanted to get away so we hurried on, saying hello to a couple of sheep that we passed in another field.

The high point of the walk (apart from the end bit) is the sight of the Barley Mow at Tilford. The path suddenly opens up at the Tilford cricket green and there it is, splendid, white and welcoming. Today there was even smoke coming from the chimney. My throat almost dragged me to the front door. The poodles didn’t seem particularly bothered.

The perfect pub

A quintessential English pub. It sits opposite a cricket green and there’s a river and very old bridge not far from it. It serves fabulous beer and welcomes dogs and thirsty walkers. And, like most country English pubs, it’s closed on a Monday until 6pm. Yes, that’s right. I walked up to the door, turned the handle and nothing happened. It was closed. I shed a tear or two and then we went over to the river for a beerless rest…just looking at the river.

I'm pretty sure I've taken this exact same shot before

After a forced rest (the poodles hate stopping) we set off for the second half of our trek, now thirsty from the lack of expected libation. It almost ruined the walk! The dogs were fine. They found plenty of places along the way. I almost envied them the clear, cool spring meandering from the mouth of Mother Ludlum’s cave though not the black, muddy puddle they decided they needed to feel on their tummies as well as their tongues.

The rest of the walk was just a case of one foot in front of the other, broken up annoyingly by me grabbing my camera to take photos of cows. I say ‘annoyingly’ because the girls just look at me as if I’m insane. All they’re interested in is getting home. But how could I resist this Highland cow? I just wanted to ruffle it’s hair.

Don't call me beefy

And so, finally, we trudged our way the final few yards to the house, all three of us exhausted, my legs already starting to ache and complain about how they are going to feel tomorrow. A coffee, some toast and a shower later and they are starting to REALLY complain. Carmen collapsed, comatose. Day-z just wanted to run around the back garden. Three hours of walking and she wants to run around? Idiot dog.

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Poodles -v- Swans

It’s not exactly what you’d describe as the most evenly matched battle but then it wasn’t a match suggested by the swans. I’m pretty sure it was all Carmen’s idea and even Day-z was along for the ride.

Carmen telling the swan how she intends to eat it

Clearly smarter than a poodle, the swan stayed in deeper water and just laughed. Actually it hissed and lifted up out of the water, menacingly.

Be off with you, silly black fluffy things

We yelled at the dogs to get out of the water but they just wanted to eat the swan. And then a second one turned up looking even tougher than the first. The poodles decided that retreat was the safer option.

In fact there was quite a lot of bird activity on Frensham Little Pond this afternoon. A huge flock of seagulls, two big swans, some moor hens (as opposed to some more hens) and a crow…which I managed to capture taking off, albeit away from me.

I'm out of here, buddy

There was also a lot of people there. Always the way – nice weather, Sunday, hordes of out-of-towners enjoying our ponds. To be fair, most of them were friendly (not the usual surly London brigade) and there weren’t any when we left the immediate environs surrounding the pond. In fact, Mirinda commented on how that’s one of the reasons she wants a house in the ‘country’ to come home to weekends – because we can go for a walk and not see another person for large sections of it.

For me, it just proves that city folk are scared of trees and the isolation a whole wood full can bring…ironically. For this reason, the tend to congregate around bodies of water with sand, both of which keep the nasty woody things back a bit.

City folk observing what real country people are like in the wild

Actually it wasn’t that bad today (though crowded) and, on the whole, people smiled, said hello and had dogs. That’s always a good sign. The dogs especially.

We left the house quite late so the light wasn’t all that good for most of our walk. I did manage to get this rather arty shot across the pond as the sun was sinking beyond the horizon. I haven’t manipulated the picture at all – this is exactly as it came out of the camera.

The sun sitting low in the sky over the reed beds at Frensham

And, basically, that was our Sunday. Glorious.

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Pond life

This morning we were sitting on the newly cleaned patio furniture that Carmen had decided to decorate with her paw prints, when Mirinda said, “Let’s go to Frensham.” This set poodle hearts a-racing. Mirinda went upstairs to change while I slowly prepared things downstairs.

Although I tried to time it a lot better, the puppies and I were ready heaps quicker and were sat in Sidney waiting. Every time there was movement from inside the house, two little heads would turn in that direction from the back seat.

Carmen & Day-z waiting (im)patiently for Mirinda

Eventually we set off.

We love walking around Frensham Pond. Not quite as much as Hankley but it’s a close run thing. One of the things I’m not that keen on at Frensham is its popularity. There is always too many cars parked there. Today, for the second time in a row, we were forced to use the second car park while we much prefer the first.

I’m not just being churlish about this. Logically, the more cars there are, the more people. It’s crowds I’m not keen on. Fortunately today they all seem to have been down by the water’s edge, upsetting the fishermen because we didn’t see any hordes.

We did see a few dogs however and the poodles were totally embarrassing, as they generally are with other dogs. But not this time, the swans, who managed to glide around without attracting undue attention from Carmen Swanchaser. A family were actually feeding the two swans and two ducks from the wall that Carmen leapt from last time we came to Frensham so perhaps that’s why.

Ducks and swans at Frensham

We had a lovely walk; even the burnt bits looked lovely today. And, most importantly, the gorse has started to bloom. Ah, spring is sprung.

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The long walk…again

Last May (the 18th to be precise) I took the bus out to Frensham kennels to pick the dogs and then made the long walk home. Well, I did it again today. While the day started grey, I had been promised by the BBC that it was going to all go away by mid morning, so I set off, full of the joys of spring. And the BBC did not disappoint. The day turned out beautiful, cloudless and cold. Perfect for a long walk.

Frensham looked lovely (regardless of the fire damage that is slowly growing back) as we crossed the road and headed towards the Little Pond.

Up the hill to Frensham Little Pond

The day was alive with the sounds of birds and the distant (which quickly grew closer as we approached) clackle of chainsaws as forestry people work to strip away the dead trees. A few people were out walking their dogs and the poodles ignored all of them, being intent on keeping an eye on me in case I left them again.

Particularly Carmen, who, every now and then, would jump up at me. I guess she was making sure she wasn’t dreaming. I think she hates having to be in charge (a role she takes on if Mirinda and I aren’t around) and is just completely relieved to not have to think any more. Maybe she’s trying to tell me that Day-z was disobedient. Or perhaps she’s telling me about their holiday at the kennel. Whatever it is, neither of them were going very far from me.

We were going to stop off at the Barley Mow in Tilford for a beer (like last time) but it was closed, so we sat on the banks of the river and looked at the bridge without a beer for a ten minute rest. Not that the poodles actually rested. I am constantly amazed at their stamina. Any normal dog would have a lay down after a long hike but not our two. They are like the Duracell bunny. Without the pink fur.

One of the two Tilford bridges

After almost constant nagging, we set off again, crossing the bridge, just in time to walk passed a young girl with a black lab. She was walking the same way as us and the only reason I passed her at the beginning of the footpath was because the lab was interested in sniffing at something on the footpath post. Then, for the next half mile, amid the sounds of nature, all I could hear was her side of a conversation with her boyfriend (I assume) as she walked and talked on her phone.

We soon managed to lose her and were once more left alone with the birds, distant cars and planes flying overhead. In fact, after her we saw a guy with one of those really ugly dogs and that was it for ages. The next people we saw were at Moor Park, which they are still working on. And then we met Archie.

Archie looked like a knitted dog. He was quite obviously still a puppy with lots of bouncy energy. He very clearly wanted to play with the poodles, who weren’t having a bar of his boisterous playfulness. He was about the size of a standard poodle and jumped and ran all over the place. His owner and her son tried to get him to return to the house but he was intent on being naughty and nothing was going to stop him.

A few times we had to stop and try and grab him – the girls were excellent bait to attract him – but he was wily and managed to avoid all of us. The woman explained that he had already been for a long walk and there was no need for all the running about. As she explained this, she interjected with various versions of ‘Archie’ ranging from begging to respect-my-authority tones. Eventually the kid (a good deal smaller than Archie) managed to grab him and we parted, the poodles very glad. I liked Archie but he could do with a bit of basic training! Like his own name, for a start.

As we drew closer to the Shepherd & Flock roundabout, I spotted this pair of horses in a paddock, obviously enjoying the sun. The one on the ground is not dead…just resting. I saw it blink a number of times.

Horses enjoying the day for a change

Rather than risk the horrid traffic of the roundabouts, I was prepared to walk along the road footpath and cut up through the hospital but then found a footpath! It runs up the side of the antiques centre on the corner and connects the two roads, coming out opposite the 6 Bells pub. When I think about the awful time we had when we went via the main road in May, I could kick myself. This was much nicer. And it only slightly brushes against the council estate.

We arrived home at 2:30 and, starving, had lunch. It was then into the garden for some serious weeding (with a break to chat with Mirinda) and partial dismantling of the cairn. I stopped when I disturbed a small frog who had taken up residence among the rocks. Normally I’d just pick him up and move him but Carmen shows an unnatural interest in frogs so, as she was sitting not far away, watching me intently (in case I was planning an escape through a tunnel) I left the remainder of the cairn for tomorrow when, hopefully he’ll either have re-homed himself or Carmen will be busy elsewhere.

I know I’m going to ache tomorrow but I feel nicely exercised and particularly lifted after a hot shower. A great day.

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Last night, Nicktor & I watched Animal Kingdom, an Australian film starring Jackie Weaver, Guy Pearce and Ben Mendelsohn (amazingly evil) along with some very talented actors I’ve not heard of before. I watched it after Joanne’s recommendation when we met in Brisbane last year. It was fantastic. Nicktor loved it as well. So, thanks Jo, it was an excellent choice. xx

And, for the record, Aldershot played rubbish football last night, drawing 1-1 with Gillingham. We have another match next Tuesday so maybe I’ll be able to write something about that one because last night was just RUBBISH!

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Swans can be deceptive

Almost at the end of our walk around Frensham Little Pond today, Carmen decided to jump into the pond, off a high brick wall, in order to attack a pair of full size swans who were placidly wading around. When Carmen realised that the water was actually quite deep not very far from shore, she decided to turn back. Here she is heading back, as the swans realise that she is more a fish out of water than a dangerous hunting dog out for swan neck.

Carmen chased by swans

During our walk, the weather was lovely but it hadn’t been like that for most of the day. The morning was quite miserable! Well, except for the fact that it didn’t rain. It was still miserable though. In fact, because I had to go to the post office and I forgot it doesn’t open until 9am on a Saturday, I was forced to go for a wander while I waited the half an hour I was early. I generally have my camera with me so I snapped shots around the church.

St Andrew's, Farnham

Sadly, because it was so grey and gloomy, the photos all lacked any life and have since been deleted. I did manage one for my blip and the church above but otherwise…like I said, it was miserable.

But that all changed after lunch when the clouds decided to venture to other points of the compass, leaving the sky blue and crisp and the sun shining brightly. We took immediate advantage of it and headed for Frensham.

It’s the first time since the fire that I’ve been up to the ridge where the bronze age burial mounds are and, what once were mere marks on a map and covered in gorse on the hill are now vivid mounds proclaiming the strength and power of their inhabitants. As they should. OK, I’m not keen on the fire and, obviously, it was an awful thing but the mounds have reclaimed their power over the countryside. That I really like.

In the bronze age, men and women of power were buried high on hills for everyone to see. Far off tribes would approach and, in viewing the long line of dead ancestors high up in often inaccessible places, would possibly turn around and go home again. These human-made mounds were symbols of strength and wealth and everything important for a tribe to grow. They are now, once again, how they should be.

The mounds aside, we took the long walk through the mud woods and down to the back of the pond, finally walking the circumference, back to the car. Exhilarating.

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Congratulations to Claire who has been sent home! I knew you could do it.

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Aftermath

Frensham Little Pond

Last August, there was a huge fire at Frensham Ponds. I briefly mentioned it in a blog entry. We haven’t really been back many times since to see what has been happening. Today we decided to give it a try. We were not alone!

Where we normally park was full up as was the bigger car park just along the road. We were forced to park up the top, on the side of the road. I have never seen it so busy. And it wasn’t like it was a nice day, either. The sun generally brings the townies out in droves. It was grey and grim and definitely more locals-with-dogs weather.

It was also not early or around lunchtime, the usually bad times. It was 2:30, generally time for the townies to go home.

Of course, January 23 is the feast day of Saint Maimbod so maybe they were all out celebrating him. Though not all of them had gloves that I could tell and none were blind. Mind you, the old ways of saint feasting are slowly dying out so it could just as easily been Saint Maimbod festivities.

Whatever the reason, Frensham Little Pond was quite the hustle and bustle today. A fair sprinkling of ‘greeters’ and just as many ‘miseries’ and many vigorous dogs to freak out the poodles.

There are signs everywhere explaining how the land is being managed in order to repair the damage created by the fire last year. There is also a warning about heavy machinery. I spotted this as we walked around and thought it would make a great blip (I decided on some fungus instead):

Heavy machinery at Frensham Little Pond

I think Bob would be hard pressed recognising it, even though he walked around it every day last time they stayed at the cottage. Speaking of Bob and, naturally, Claire, I thought I’d better let everyone (by which I mean the two people who read my blog) know how Claire is doing.

VERY WELL! This past week she managed to stand up from a chair unaided and the trachie was removed (she started talking instantly). Yesterday she had a whole flood of visitors because it was her birthday, which tired her out a bit, but she enjoyed them all, particularly the three nurses who sang Happy Birthday “…like angels“.

Though she can’t see it, I’ve taken my hat off. She is showing an amazing resilience and determination to get herself up and out of bed. Obviously she wants to get out of the hospital and she wants it YESTERDAY! Go Claire!

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Flambe

Last Sunday I wrote about how lovely Hankley was even while temporarily in the grip of a war zone. On Thursday, the headlines in the local paper screamed out the news that 90 acres of the heathland had been devastated by fire. A few weeks ago, a similar fire left most of Frensham looking like the Australian bush after a summer fire. We feared the worst.

It took 12 fire crews the best part of a day to put the fire out but they valiantly managed to keep the fire within a relatively small area. As we walked towards the Lion’s Mouth, we could see a strip of black, cutting a harsh swathe across the top of the small valley we walk up. When we reached it, the smell was awful and the landscape alien.

You don’t realise what the ground looks like when it’s covered with vegetation but now you can see the pockmarks, dips and whorls in the ground.

As we reached the look out point we looked down on the dead land. The bowl where the army guy had yelled at us last week was black – the soldiers would have to wear black camouflage as the green would really stand out! It wasn’t as extensive as the fire at Frensham, which is something to be grateful for.

Apparently the Frensham fire was started by some moron lighting a camp fire. While the fire service is still investigating, preliminary thoughts are that the Hankley fire was started by some idiot burning a car. Clearly there are people who don’t care about beauty, wishing to destroy it. They must have very sad lives indeed. I am SO glad I’m not one of them.

I’ve patched together two photos to give a rough idea of the extent. This is the view from the hill we regularly stand on.

Hankley - the bowl after the fire

On a happier note, dinner at the Pride of the Valley was very nice last night. Not quite on the level of St Johns (although they do very good desserts) but still lovely.

If I ignore the grapes mushed up in the middle of the creme brulee, I would give it easily 9/10 – better than mine. Sadly, I couldn’t ignore the mushed up grapes so it gets just 6/10.

They have regular dinner and jazz nights so we may go again for one of those.

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Lovely

What a lovely weekend we had! First the Chawton visit on Saturday then a lovely relaxed day at home with the garden and the puppies. We rounded it off with a very long walk around Frensham Little Pond yesterday, visiting late in order to avoid the sun a bit. As it turned out, we could have left it later as it was still hot.

On the way home we stopped in at The Barley Mow at Tilford for an icy cold beer (yes, I had a lager) and a cider, enjoying them in the gorgeous countryside that surrounds the beer garden. The cricket match had just finished on the green and the spectators were lined up on the benches outside the pub, beers in hand. It was idyllic.

Before we left, we popped down to the fence to have a look at the river that I claimed wasn’t there. On a small island made from bits of mud and foliage, were huddled a family of ducklings. Mum wasn’t far away, keeping an eye out as her brood squished up together on their tiny bit of land. It was so cute, I had to take a photo.

Duckings huddling

Huddling ducklings behind the Barley Mow, Tilford

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We watched two films this weekend which I want to share. On Saturday night we saw Avatar. I tend not to believe the hype around big blockbuster movies. I wait to see them myself and judge then. If anything I’m turned off by something that claims to have cost extraordinary amounts of money and to be the biggest selling movie of all time. Especially when I’ve seen some wonderful films that cost very little. However, I thought Avatar was brilliant. At 2 hours 40 minutes, it’s long but not once did it falter. The story is engaging, the acting superb, the special effects…well, they are so incredible I thought it all looked real. You forget you are watching CGI. The Na’vi are so real, so utterly convincing, that you feel their pain and their love for their planet. A masterpiece of cinema. I couldn’t fault it at all. I particularly liked the Na’vi Rough Guide! Cute.

Last night we watched a very different movie. We watched Did You Hear About the Morgans?. It, honestly, could not be more different. It stars Sarah Jessica Parker (who I normally can’t stand) and Hugh Grant and is a RomCom. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Apart from the two assistants, I thought it was very witty with Parker and Grant playing well off each other. The two second leads (Sam Elliott and Mary Steenburgen) were wonderful and shone a little brighter. If you like a RomCom, you’ll like this a lot. Even if you don’t like Sarah Jessica Parker!

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