Support an Eynsham Hero

A friend of mine's son was badly injured in Iraq in 2007. You can read his story here:

http://www.technobillies.net/2009/03/biggest-challenge.html

In October he plans to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for Help for Heros. However conflicted you may feel about the war in Iraq (and I admit I am), I urge you to support Jon. This is his fund raising page:

http://www.justgiving.com/thebandoffive

Jon and his fellow troops are very brave men, and deserve our support.

Kai - A Working Dog

In Oxford today, I met Kai and his lovely owner Sarah. Sarah is profoundly deaf, and Kai is her 'hearing dog'.

It's only recently that I've realised what a huge difference hearing dogs can make to someone's life (and there are hypo-allergenic ones :-)).

You can find out more about hearing dogs here: http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk

And read Kai and Sarah's story: http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/pships_dog_month.php?id=75

Robin's Rose

A few years ago, when my Mum was 'Gertie sitting', my Dad came up to visit and brought us each a mini rose bush. I never seem to have much success with them, but this one survived. After a few years in a pot, we planted it out.

It never has many flowers, but they compensate for that by being a glorious peach.

That's the lovely thing about gardens, they're full of memories.

Someone didn't like their treatment!!!

I've rather lost my photography Mojo of late - but I could resist this amended sign!

Afterglow

“ If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the mighty one "

"Now I am become Shiva, the destroyer of worlds."

[The thoughts that came to mind when I saw the reflection in the windows]

Pass the Bromide!

This is me on a huge high, after seeing my beloved Patrick Stewart, in 'Waiting for Godot'. It was quite an experience.

Number One, London

Today Lovely Lindsay, Prof. Peter and I toddled of for a day of culture in London. First stop was Apsley House, home of Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington.

It was known as Number One, London because it was the first house encountered from the countryside after passing the tollgates at the top of Knightsbridge.

As well as various Wellington artefacts (no boots, you have to go to Walmer Castle for that), there's a fantastic art collection, including Velázquez portrait of Pope Innocent I (as found in Joseph Bonaparte's baggage when he was fleeing after Waterloo).

The most impressive is this Canova sculpture of Napoleon.

Interestingly, Napoleon didn't want the statue when it was finished. One wonders if Wellington was chuffed when he had it presented to him. Apart from anything else, he had to have the hall floor reinforced!

As, this is the closest weekend to Waterloo Day (June 18th) - there were various 'special events'. Will we regret avoiding:

The Battle of Waterloo with Vegetables - every move of the battle with nothing but as basket of whatever comes to hand.

It was all a bit too much for some!

Flora and Fauna of Queen Street

In the garden of The Queen's Head - one of Jackie's cats tries to hide in the daisies...

...Kipper eats some grass.

In the garden at 29 neither The Boy or Maisie are looking their best!

The Pitt Rivers with the Revd

Today the Revd Rattue and I (aka The Weeping Cross) went to see the newly reopened Pitt Rivers Museum. As all it fans will be pleased to see, it still retains its character as the 'university's attic' (to quote my friend Annie).

While waiting for me (the refurbishment means that the museum has toilets - hurrah)...Revd Rattue stationed himself under a totem pole...

...and looked like one of the exhibits.

I was very taken with the creature on the left - which is called 'Lady Burrows' apparently.

And this little juxtoposition in a temporary exhibition.

I'm already looking forward to my next trip, which I hope will be next week with the lovely Lindsay.

Coffee Culture

I treated myself to a mocha pot the other week - I've no idea what happened to our old one.

I've been trying to take pictures of the tiny holes that the steam drives through the coffee - but I don't have a good enough macro lens (...hmm must rectify that).

Entirely by accident I took this lovely moody shot. I love the swirlyness of it.