Curly's Capers

As D. and I waited to cross the busy A40 Road, en route to Shipton Oliffe, following  The Gloucestershire Way,  I thought of the changes in our transport systems over the last two hundred years. We had just walked from behind 'The Frogmill Inn, ' one of the oldest coaching inns in Gloucestershire. This was the first stop in 1779 for the Gloucester to London, via Oxford Stage Coach. Here was space for 20  stabled horses together with a smithy and of course meals and refreshments for the eight passengers that could be carried. The famous ' Glocester (sic) Flying Machine ' could complete this  105 mile journey in just two days. Find out more at:  London stage. Most of this information was gleaned by Samuel Rudder's " History of Gloucester (1779) ." You can read some amusing extracts ( though not about the coaching) by clicking here:   Samuel Rudder. After crossing this busy road and then heading in the direction of  Shipton,  we soon c...

  As you probably know I  am currently reading ( now on vol.4 "A Feast For Crows" )  the fantasy series "ice and fire "  by George R. R. Martin.  I discovered a picture of this tee shirt, designed by a fan: following, the T.V Series One of his books, I obtained his permission and here it is. I'm beginning to think it's better to enter a fantasy world and escape reality for awhile. For those, who have access to the Sky Atlantic channel, (not me), Series Two commences April 2nd 2012. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Some people it appears to me, have had a 'feelings-bypass.' Such a person is Mike Ashley, who owns Sports Direct sports chain and Newcastle United Football Club. For over a hundred years, the club's ground has been called St James's Park or St. James' Park, if you prefer. Mr. Ashley has decided to end this tradition and has re-named it, "The Sports Direct  Stadium." His idea being, to then sell th...

"After good news about nether regions; bit of a curved ball thrown when Matron told me I had a touch of the diabolics and thus had to cut back on the Tate and Lyle and change from Captain Morgan to Earl Grey. Bit of body blow, as only sweeteners I use, concern planning applications. But moving on, have instructed Baxter to take stock of the cellar and once completed auction off the best lots. With the money raised, consider investing in original art. With that in mind, asked Baxter to drive me to London to The Royal Academy to view the new David Hockney exhibition: " A Bigger Picture. " Being a member of the Royal Academy able to walk into members' room and obtain entry tickets, without the need for queuing in the bitterly cold weather. Good show. Hockney's recent work, concerned landscapes from East Yorkshire and in particular the Woldgate Woods. The brightly coloured canvasses, often pieced together to form " A Bigger Picture ...

The Songs I Had "The songs I had are withered Or vanished clean Yet there are bright tracks Where I have been, And there grow flowers For others' delight. Think well, O singer Soon comes night. " Ivor Gurney (1890- 1937 ) Poem first published 1954. This poignant short poem, reminds us of flowers that grow 'For others' delight; ' including I am sure Mr. Gurney would agree, the humble snowdrop. So it was on Thursday (2/2 ), that D and I made our way to the Sherborne Estate, now managed by the National Trust, in order to view this season's crop. They seemed in short supply; but then I remembered that oftentimes, these sturdy chaps generally dislike cultivation and continue to thrive in places where they want to; in the case of Sherborne  quietly amongst the trees. Enjoy the February selection. For a further few words on snowdrops please click here:  Snow appeal Well, it d...