Picnic at Boveney Lock

This morning we set off with a terrific idea for a picnic and walk along the Thames path at Bray Lock, about 15 minutes from home. It was sunny and mild - I think spring is on it's way. Unfortunately the Lock and adjoining path was closed due to construction, and the thought of venturing in the other direction under the M4 carriageway wasn't particularly inviting!

Together with an (almost redundant!) map and our GPS we drove through nearby Dorney village and past Boveney Lake where Eton College has it's rowing facility. The man-made lake will also be the site for the 2012 Olympic Games water sports.

We found a car park beside the fast-flowing Thames and James and I donned our wellies. They are worth every penny! At the first turn we saw in a field the lovely St Mary Magdalene church, with some features dating from the 12th century. It is not open to visitors at the moment, as it has just emerged from the first phase of a major repair campaign. Apparently the unassuming exterior belies the remarkable interior, so I should be interested in seeing it again when more work has been done.

Following the path we encountered several other walkers, most with dogs. Blossom is appearing on some trees and we saw small clumps of snowdrops about. After about 20 minutes we came to our 'Plan B' lock, Boveney. It was unattended and no boats were queuing but James was happy anyway, and keen to cross the gates. We kept a firm grip on him with the water so high and fast. We had our picnic on a seat in the sun, well clear of mud (!) and after some further exploring headed back to the car. Squirrels scrambled up trees beside us as we strolled along 'Conker Lane', bordered by chestnuts. It will be a beautiful sight in springtime.

James was asleep in the car within 5 minutes. Another day, another adventure!

Photos are here.

Art on Display

Last weekend Martin and James made a trip to the hardware store and purchased a pin-board for James' room. He is getting very creative at pre-school and we are running out of room on the fridge for displaying his artwork. I have wanted to decorate his room for a long time so this is the perfect way to do so!

On the board we have - a sandpaper gingerbread man, pictures of rockets, an envelope decorated with stamped animals, a postcard of Puffing Billy, and the two shields he made up at the castle yesterday. As part of the school holiday program children were invited to create their own family insignias. James particularly loves lions and had a great time colouring them in and also cutting with scissors.

He returns to pre-school next week so stay tuned for more masterpieces!

Calleva Atrebatum

A translation of Calleva Atrebautm is "town in the woods of the Atrebates". The Atrebates were an Iron Age tribe who settled near modern day Silchester - just south of Reading. This tribe is of interest to us as it was these people that occupied the site of Windsor some two thousand years ago. At this time the area known as Windsor was part of the Belgae Kingdom of the Atrebates.

Calleva was the administrative centre of Atrebates and was founded only a century before the Romans arrives in AD50. It contained a forum, basilica, shops, taverns, and was the hub of many roads; one leading to London and still called Little London Road today.

We were also interested to visit this ancient town because it has some of the best preserved Roman walls. So this morning we made the short trip of about an hour to explore. It is a large site of about 50 acres which is almost entirely encircled by the walls. The construction is flint with layers of flat stone acting as reinforcement. In front of the walls is a ditch from which earth was excavated to create the ramparts. The walls themselves are dated circa AD200 and, with the original facing stones, would have been at least four metres high.

A trail allows you to circumnavigate the site. A highlight is a Roman amphitheatre. Although there is nothing visible remaining of the town itself. Today it is a few fields although Reading University Archaeological Department have a digging. Apparently at the centre of the town was a forum and basilica. The roads were regular and geometric. It can be possible to see the layout in the growing grass but we couldn't make anything out.

From the car park we picked our way through the mud (James wearing his wellies) and on to the top of the wall. We passed the the North gate at one corner. It has a path some 4 metres wide through the wall. We read that two skulls were found in the defensive ditch at the front. Speculation is that these heads could have been mounted on poles over the gate.

We continued on to the Amphitheatre. Its remarkably preserved and dates pretty much to the Roman invasion of Britain in AD50. It it oval with high, steep, earth banks which could hold between 3,500 and 7,500 spectators depending on whether they were seated or standing. We walked along the top of the banks and imagined the scenes of gladiators and battle.

From there we visited the medieval church of St Mary's. We read that it may be located on the site of a Roman temple. Like the St Mary & St Peter at Wilmington, St Mary's has a timber spire and an ancient yew tree. Inside the church we found a map that depicts the age of its various parts. The walls around one of the windows was 12th century with the rest dating to about the 15th century.

We poked around the head stones and then made our way back through the central field of Calleva back to the car park. By this time we were all feeling a little cold but we're sure to be back. I think the willows and oaks will look stunning against the ancient walls when spring arrives.

Photos are here.

Winter Wonderland

Returning from our walk Martin cooked a big breakfast – just the thing on a chilly morning! As we ate we marvelled at the snow falling heavily outside. I felt like I was on a winter skiing holiday!

Due to perilous conditions on the road Martin scheduled his meetings to be in Windsor today, so he was home for the morning. I prepared James for pre-school and we set out a bit later than usual. The roads were cleared but icy so we decided to take the stroller. It was tough going in a few places as the snow was banked up, but James was well rugged up and had his cover over and a blanket. I think he quite enjoyed the ride!

When I collected him from pre-school he excitedly told me that they had been outside and had built a snowman. Sure enough, there it was, looking lovely in a pink beanie. Snow had continued to fall throughout the morning so I promised James that we could build our own this afternoon.

So after lunch we donned the next change of clothes (they are still lined up along every available radiator!) and went downstairs to the space left vacant by the fungus tree, just outside our front door. We had fun ‘constructing’ our man. I thought Lumpy was a good name but James insisted on ‘James’. Ok then. So James the Snowman took about an hour and a bit to build. Every time I offered to dress and decorate James the Snowman, James the Boy said ‘no’ and carried on scraping and patting and transporting handfuls of snow. Whilst he laboured on I made a snow angel! I tried to take a photo of the three of us but Frosty lost his head in the first one and James was a little cool (!) and wouldn’t get close enough in the second.

As evening fell I wanted to see how the Long Walk had fared during the day. James and I went through the gate and Martin met us out there on his way home. There was still plenty of snow about and if the rain holds off I think there may be a little left in the morning. James knows not to expect his Snowman to be there, but you never know…!

We are all tired from a very exciting day. Our dreams of a white winter have come true!

See our video here.

Some photos from Todd & Clare's wedding

Todd has sent me some photos from the day. I've created a photo album here. He'll be sending me more photos on the new week or so. I'll keep you updated.

More snow in Windsor!

The anticipated snow arrived early this morning. Its been on the news for the past few nights as this time the falls were widespread with most of the UK affected. Last night, in preparation, some 400 grit trucks were dispatched across the motorways.

We awoke to snowfalls of about an inch. We quickly got dressed in our warm kit and hurried outside at about 7:30am. The sun was only just up and the snow was fresh. Light snow was falling. It was the first time James had actually seen it. Cars were covered. And the road and gardens were blanketed.

We crunched out way to the Long Walk gate. Looking back we could see the wonderful sight of now covered trees and falling snow. I took some photos of the daffodils that had started to bloom on the weekend. Poor buggers. They'd be a little cold now!

As we emerged on the Long Walk we saw that magical view of a pure white promenade edged by chestnuts. Soon after we arrived in Windsor Merrilyn and I saw a picture of the Long Walk in snow - taken about 1980. We never thought we'd see it like this...

As we approached the Long Walk Castle gate the snow fall became very heavy. Large soft flakes were falling and swirling about. We grabbed handfulls of snow and pitched them at each other.

Turning up Park Street we passed by rows of cars covered in snow. The council had been along the footpath and dropped grit. It's got salt in it so at least the main footpaths were clear. Walking across the cobblestones of the Mews was treacherous though. Definitely icy.

The Castle was draped in snow too. The poor police guards had no respite - standing in the flurries. James, wearing his new snow mittens (how appropriate) made snow balls and placed them on his favourite bollards.

We circled back down to High Street and back to the Long Walk. We passed some children making two huge snowmen. James was impressed. So as we approach out back gate we set about making our own snowmen. First the bottom, then the body, then the head. James couldn't resist kicking them over as soon as we made them. Of course, I couldn't help but throw snowballs at everyone. Merrilyn was my main target and she was not too happy when I went a little overboard ...

James was getting cold so we walked back through our gate and home again. We picked up some snow and James tasted it. Sort of like crunchy ice cream. He must have liked it because every time I looked back he was licking a different snow ball.

As I look out the windows it started snowing heavily again. Great big flakes...

Photos are here. I've got some video that I'll post tonight.

I finally did it!

OK - dramatic title, not so dramatic blog. This afternoon I finally walked the Long Walk from the Castle to the Copper Horse.

Today was a glorious sunny day. Perfect for a relaxing walk. So after a Carluccio (almost wanted to write Brunetti) breakfast set off for the Copper Horse. It took us about 3 hours return (so for those who have done it you know that we took our time)! We had the company of joggers, families, and couples. Everyone seemed to be out enjoying the day.

We stopped a little over half way at a wood bench. Although about midday there was still an element of fog/haze on the ground. It provided a wonderful atmosphere as it clung to ground and wound between the trunks of the chestnuts. A few hundred metres off in a glade we could see the deer grazing. In fact, as we passed this very spot on our return we saw a lone stag that wandered almost to the Walk before he was chased off by a small child (not James!)

James picked up a stick and declared that it was his "mud and poo stick"! Hmmm :)

Reaching the Copper Horse James and Merrrilyn ascended Snow Hill whilst I sat on the path enjoying the view and the warmth of the sun on by back.

Upon returning to Regent Court I took some photos of the first daffodils and crocuses that are popping up in the lawns and gardens. Lynne - what do you think?

Photos are here. I'm sure there are familiar sights for those who have previously made the journey.

The Last Laugh - Windsor Royal Theatre

Last night Merrilyn and I has a rare night off (thanks Gary for the last minute call to duty) and went to the Theatre to see The Last Laugh. It's a comedy featuring Martin Freeman (The Office, Love Actually) and Roger Lloyd Pack (The Vicar of Dibley, Doc Martin).

The Theatre is a short stroll from our home past the Castle. We had circle seats that gave us an expansive view of the stage. Although the circle seats are on a rather steep angle so you need to careful squeezing past those already in their seats.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was a hilarious comedy based on the interplay between a comedy playwright and a stern government Censor. Martin plays the playwright and I found his wit and timing to be almost irresistible. I was laughing aloud by the middle of the first Act; receiving some glances from the seats around me. But hey - that's what this show was all about. Roger plays the Censor who is a military officer drafted into the position. He starts of very stern and rather humourless insisting on many changes and rewrites to the script. Including that the lead be changed from Romeo (a-la Romeo & Juliet) to King Henry V, that there be a cameo including the police superintendent replete with a government sanctioned spiel about taxes and appropriate behaviour! We could also recognise references to other comedies such as Python.

Walking back home we talked of how lucky we are to live here and to have shows such as this only 10 minutes walk away. Today - booked the Goodies show featuring Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.