You can check out but you can never leave.

Eagles founder member

Glen Frey

dies aged 67   

Castling and Wassailing

On a crisp sunny January Saturday we headed down to south west Wales to Caldicot to peruse the castle and country park. Founded by the Normans the castle fell into royal hands as a stronghold in the Middle Ages and was finally restored as a Victorian family home.

Large parts of the country park were still under flood water but, booted up, the paths were still walkable.

Then up to Chepstow and its imposing river valley and castle.

From around 1067 through to 1690 century after century, the castle expanded along its narrow cliff top ridge. The oldest building is the Norman great tower but building work continued well into the 17th-century as medieval battlements were replaced by stronger musket-friendly parapets. Views from the battlements across the river valley are spectacular. Whilst admiring the views across the town we noticed a sizable gathering of Morris People. On closer inspection it was a Wassail gathering outside the Three Tuns.

... and so long Alan

... not a good start to 2016 :'-(

Alan Rickman

films including Harry Potter, Die Hard 

and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, 

has died at the age of 69

Down the Sherbourne

If your ever in the vicinity of Gloucester let me recommend an evening at the Sherbourne Cinema. The brainchild of avid cinema buff Mark, this 'craft' cinema is decked out 1930s-style, complete with retro ticket machine and snack kiosk. It seats about 140 - cash on the door, no booking. For atmosphere and personal customer care beats the heck out of the 'factory' cinemas and shows bang up to date films.

Waterloo Sunset's Fine

Extending the birthday Marilyn, Marion and I headed off for a weekend in the Metrop. Aptly stopped in Waterloo. Headed up the Bakerloo Line to Piccadilly and the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre  









to see Danny Horn and Oliver Hoare as Ray and Dave Davies in the story of

It ROCKED!! As did the cast and audience. Totally brilliant night had by all. Can also recommend the nearby, and equally intimate, Andalucia Tapas Bar for pre/post theatre gourmet snacking :-p

Farewell Ziggy

Legend and prodigious talent

That Was The (festive) Week That Was

It all started on a mild sunny Christmas Eve. Ideal for a walk down the Sharpness Canal tow path..100 yards from the car and the heavens turned pitch black and opened. A torrential downpour. The saving grace - apart from the shelter of the boathouse - was that with the sun behind it there was a spectacular double rainbow.

Jean arrived in the evening from the flooded north. After present opening there was a pleasant meal at the Whittle. 




Then Boxing Day we were off on retreat to the amazing Old Beams in Devon

 After somewhat of a detour we were joined on the Monday by Marion.

Trips to the surrounding countryside took in:

Barnstaple and the Long Bridge

Ilfracombe - home of Damien Hurst's Verity

Torrington and the Leper Fields














Iddesleigh and the War Horse Valley





















Bideford and Westward Ho

Finishing with a jaunt along the somewhat damp Tarka Trail that ran alongside Old Beams.

Then back to Gloucester to bring in the New Year with champers, 

fireworks and a Hootenanny