75 - How did that happen?

Having reached such a venerable age(!) I thought a family party would be fun, so 40 or so family, including 10 children, plus 3 friends, gathered at the Field Restaurant at Udder Farm for a spread. 

The children could play outside as it was a beautiful day, and we had a section of the restaurant partitioned off so the rest of us could mingle and chat.

It was lovely to see cousins from both sides of the family, and I think a good time was had by all. No photos of the children here of course, though some were taken and will be sent to their parents.

Mr Bufo and I felt very pleased with the day!

Everyone's going to the Moon

Today we went to the moon! Or, rather more prosaically, we saw the moon art installation at Winchester Cathedral. We were in plenty of time for the bus to Winchester - which was, of course, late - and as we so often do, got off at West Gate and walked down. The advantage of this is that Warrens the stationers - appropriately just below Staple Gardens (although I am sure that is named from the Wool Staple rather than the office type of staple) - was able to sell us some bulldog paper clips and some rather good cards for upcoming birthdays.

It was a treat to see the cathedral nave without its chairs. I know they clear it every year, but I've never managed to visit at the right time before.

The moon installation is most impressive, and we sat and looked at it for quite a while. They use NASA images and it is remarkably accurate and 'lifelike'.

While we were there the choir began a practice, which was an added bonus, starting with a run-through of 'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' - probably to warm themselves up - and then a Kyrie, and some other pieces they were obviously still learning. They were still singing when we had walked all round the east end ambulatory and down the south aisle to the exit door.  

I was sad the crypt isn't open at the moment, as I always like to pay my respects to the Anthony Gormley man standing down there. My late friend Nicky and I always went to say hello to him if we went into the cathedral on our regular coffee/lunch meetings. But apparently the recent wet weather means the crypt is too deeply under water to allow people in, so the door was firmly shut. (Adding later that I may have mistaken the door, and didn't investigate further because I had read the FB post about flooding closing the crypt).

We also went into M&S, where I didn't see anything I wanted, but Mr Bufo found something he needed, which was useful as he had a £10 voucher, and we bought some of their bread. Then we went to Robert Dyas, who couldn't provide what we wanted, and a hardware store in George Street, that did have it.

A bit of a pull up the hill then to Jewry Street, where we had booked lunch for 12.30 at Brasserie Blanc. We were a bit early, but our table was available. Very good lunch on their 'half price mains' offer and because we were a bit early starting, we were out in time for the 14.05 bus back to Romsey, rather than having to wait for the 14.50, which is always full of schoolchildren. The bus stop is conveniently just a few yards along Jewry Street from the restaurant.

New Year, New Post

- If only to get the 'Blogs I follow' list up the page a bit by hiding all of last year's posts!

Cold and sunshine today, so after half an hour trying to cut things back in the garden, about to sit with my crochet (see pic for current project) and watch the snooker final. Just a few more rows of the border to do, but waiting for another ball of one colour I have just run out of to be able to finish completely.