Curly's Capers

Croome Last Tuesday (21 / 1 ) D. and I paid  a visit to the National Trust property Croome Park, near Upton Upon Severn. It was an early attempt by Capalbility Brown   at a landscaped garden. The garden has been replanted and is now reaching a mature aspect. If you look closely at the two above pictures, you can see how the garden has evolved since '08. The trees and shrubs have grown taller and the vegetation has become compacted. One thing that particularly strikes are the water-levels.  Looking at the bottom, present day, you will not be surprised to learn that due to this month's rain, parts of the property are flooded and the grass 'excessively ' waterlogged. Here are some pictures taken from our recent visit: The G rotto. The Lake with filter. And finally a brace of early flowers. CccccccccccccccC @CTFCofficial Cheltenham Expects  .... in tight corners, heads-up to avoid ...

When D. and I were first married in 1974, we lived in a flat upon a farm in the village of Slimbridge. About a mile and half down the lane from the flat,  was the Wildfowl Trust, founded in1946 by  The Late Sir Peter Scott. Because D. and I lived in Slimbridge, we were entitled to  Parish Membership, at a special rate of 50p (if memory serves.) Naturally we availed ourselves of this bargain, but alas, as so often happens, when one lives so close to an attraction, we rarely visited the centre. Five or so years ago, on a whim , we decided to visit the wildfowl centre on a cold, but clear January morning. We found the experience so satisfying, with the birds, seeming much more mobile, combined with the crisp atmosphere, interesting low light and bare trees; that we decided to make this an annual event. So it was last Tuesday ( 14/ 1 ) , on a clear, blue day D. and I made our way there. Sir Peter Scott. What continues to please, each year is the way the ce...

This year has not started without some major concerns; the amazing amount of precipitation  and the sad death of my Aunt and one of my sporting heroes jockey/trainer, Terry Biddlecombe, who died on January 2nd at the age of 72, after a long illness. It was Terry, who indirectly led me in 1967 to a life-long love and appreciation of horse racing; especially 'over the jumps ' at my local course Cheltenam. It happened, at a time when I was working in Gloucester, in the late 60's at an accounts office of a firm of hydraulic engineers. In addition to my fortnight's holiday, we were allowed three ' floating days, ' which with management approval, we could take when we wished. In the factory, I was given a tip for  Woodland Venture, running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup that year  and I decided to go and have a look at the races. I duly had a pound on Woodland at 14/1 and the rest, as they say is history.    Woodland Venture's Gold Cup. Woodland was...

A Happy and Prosperous New Year 2014 to you all. It's fifty years ago since ' The Who ' were formed; forty years since 'Bagpuss ' hit our screens and of course one hundred years since the start of World War 1; ( no I wasn't around then or for the second round either.) Where do all those years go?  The accordion  of time seems to squeeze events together closer as I become older. But enough of this. Let me start with a Gloucestershire folk story, in order to inject some humour into the proceedings. "  Two workers, drowsy with the noontide heat, sit down in the shade of the wall they are rebuilding, and fall asleep. Later the farmer arrives, sees no work being done and calls: 'Adam! Adam!' Adam fails to stir but his companion awakens and responds: 'Hello. What's up? '  ' Where be Adam? ' I don't know. ' 'What be he a-doing? ' 'Nothin. ' 'And what bist thee a-doing? '  ' Why I be a-helpin...