under another sun

I was feeling bright and cheerful today. Lorraine and I did several things and sprang out of bed fairly sharpishly for a Saturday. First we drove to the Book Nook in Hove. As a headteacher,  Lorraine receives a box of books to take into school, they go through them, and return any unwanted ones and only pay for the ones  they want. Then we drove to Bolney Village Hall, where there was a small exhibition from the Bolney Historical Society. They also showed a video that was shot ten years ago, and featured Sarah who works with Lorraine, and John, the previous head who I used to go for the occasional drink with, and to see his band The High Sides. Chatted to several Bolney worthies. Then we impulsively drove off to Leonardslee Gardens as it was a sunny and beautiful day. The gardens were almost empty and we loved walking down by the tranquil ponds and through the empty gardens. There was a little cafe there too, and we had a pot of tea and scone each. Next to Horsham where we...

A fragrant afternoon An idyllic few hours spent at Leonardslee lakes and gardens this afternoon. There was an enormous amount to see there. On the edge of the Sussex high weald, much tramped by Anton and myself, is this fragrant valley full of what Lorraine informed me were rhododendron and azalea species of all kinds and colours. Their sweet fragrance hung everywhere in the truly beautiful little valley. Lots of trees too, and geese and goslings wandering about, and koi carp and goldfish, and a pheasant, not to mention a couple of dozen wallabies lolling sleepily in their enclosure, and other fish in the ponds. Simply a very beautiful place. Lorraine happily going about knowing the names of plants, fondling leaves, and rubbing tree bark and doing various Taurean things. Also there was a small exhibit of vintage cars, but perhaps surprisingly what was considerably more interesting was a Beyond the Doll's House which was a miniature market town of great and witty detail. Home and ...