The finished job

Lachlan's Birthday

Actually on the 27th, but we celebrated early
Roast lamb, Bramble (home grown) and apple crumble
and CAKE

Now that the shed base is in the path has to be moved

Slabs, sand and cement at the ready

Cutting the slabs is a task
Well, it would be for me, but  Paul takes it in his stride

Trentham Gardens near Stoke on Trent

A lovely sunny day and a walk round the beautiful gardens

There is little left of Trentham Hall that was demolished in 1911

This was how the house looked
There are plans, eventually, to reconstruct the house as a 5* Hotel
Owned now by St Modwen

I had a lovely few days in Devon with the family

Rounded off with a trip to the SS Great Britain in Bristol

Paul discusses the route with the captain

While the boys contemplate desert with one of the passengers

The Merchant of Venice

The last pic was lifted from the RSC website
This is actually my own photo taken before the production
The lights are the reflection of the tiers of audience behind
Also Antonio on the right - a tortured soul in this play

Saturday

Another beautifully sunny day in Stratford
With Bikes and Buskers
What more could you want ?

Oh yes, Shakespeare ....
This is Portia and Bassanio and gives an idea of the amazing reflective set for The Merchant of Venice

Friday evening

This production was at The Attic Theatre
Above the Lazy Cow restaurant if you know Stratford
1616 was the year of Shakespeare's death and the single handed play was his memories of his life, playing also the parts of people that he had known
Christopher Marlow, Ben Jonson, Richard Burbridge and many more
Only one and a half hours, but stunning

Friday

Sand & cement delivered ready for the base of the new shed

Then off to Stratford which is looking beautiful in the sunshine

The nest is destroyed

The nest was dragged from it's tree stump and destroyed at 5.00 am yesterday
However we witnessed the vandalism
Two young foxes were playing in the garden and thought it was worth killing. 

The Hardwick Arms

I find this quite offensive in August !

Now the Summer House has gone

We advertised it on 'Freecycle' on Friday night
By 11.00 on Saturday someone had been, dismantled and taken it away
Paul now taking up the old (very heavy) slabs.
What next ?

Certain 'artifacts' were found under the Summer House
A little yellow ball, an ancient plant pot holder
and a cigarette lighter, which still worked !

Stratford to see Othello

We met up with Tony & Jane and enjoyed the production
Even if we were a bit bemused by some of it

Next morning and a stroll round town
An excellent busker

From Stratford we called in at Packwood House on the way home
Our National Trust membership is well worth it

Next we had to have a quick drink at the Black Boy again

I have never seen black petunias beore