About fifteen miles away from us lies Waddesdon Manor, a mansion styled on a classic French chateau and built by the Rothschild family towards the end of the 19th century. At this time of year, its many visitors are particularly…

On Wednesdays, when we are at home, Carol joins in with a group of volunteers that helps maintain various local natural habitats for the Greensand Trust. Recently, as well as the more usual scrub clearance (much too much like gardening,…

There are ways in which Milton Keynes seems like a clash of cultures. Its network of roads, for example, appears to have been lifted from an American city in that it forms a largely orthogonal intersecting grid with the roads…

Monday was essentially a lazy day recovering from flights from Prague and Stansted Express runs. Apart, that is, from not one but two trips out to buy tinsel (which actually turned out to be garlands) for the poor, partially-dressed Christmas…

Well, not exactly express, perhaps; on Sunday morning the roads were seemingly full of Sunday drivers. Nonetheless, the kids were due back and we were to drive over to Stansted airport to collect Keith and Marlene from their 11:50 flight…

On Saturday, I managed to survive what would hopefully be the last visit to Milton Keynes shopping centre this Christmas. Carol and I hit the place at 8:30 AM before the manic crowds turned up. The one part of it…

A rude 5:45 AM alarm on Friday roused Carol from beneath the warmth of the downie and made the author stir, albeit briefly. Apparently, Carol and Rosemary left at 6:30 AM for the joyous drive (not!) to Luton airport. Actually, the…

… but “Chilli with Rosemary”, to plagiarize that well-known title. Friends Rosemary and Steve had organized a weekend in Edinburgh but, as luck would have it, Steve wound up working in Edinburgh the week before. Better than not working, I…

Poor Carol had a Tuesday appointment with the dentist to get an expensive new crown fitted. Funny how one’s teeth wait until retirement to start playing up, isn’t it? She took advantage of a bright, sunny morning and bravely walked…

After a morning playing Santa Claus, Carol and I decided to get some much needed exercise clearing what is hopefully the final dump of leaves this year from the nearby oak tree. It hangs over our house like the sword…