What with a now condemned car and a depleted bank balance, the past couple of days have been all about seeing how much fun we can have on our doorstep for a few pennies. Yesterday the 4 of us all bought an Explorer ticket on Reading Buses for a bargainous £12 and had a grand day out around Wargrave and Henley. We could have gone on again to Marlow but we were too happy lolling around by the river in Henley reading (and knitting!) and DD2 was in her elements when she found her own private roller blading track - she'd been carrying them in a back-pack all day waiting for the perfect moment and place to let whiz!
This morning, we set out to have lunch with friends at Deans Farm and stopped off en route at Reading Cattle Market & Auction to see the horse sale. I love the buzz of an auction and I've been frequently taking the children there since they were born to see animals, carriages, cars and antiques being bought and sold. I've even been known to bid on an item or two there myself, but only raised my hand to take aim with my camera today ...
Had to take picture of this also also on the way out as a recent photo that AlabamaWhirley took of this made me think about how much I've taken this magnificent mural for granted over the past few years - even though it makes me smile every time I pass it.When we eventually arrived at Karen's she greeted us with her usual gorgeous, uplifting, home-baked goodness ... she's an ace baker as well as a great friend. I managed to get photo evidence before it was demolished by 4 ladies and 7 children!!
After some lively chat, whilst the children busied themselves in the gardens playing with tiny frogs, we went for a walk to the nearby lake, picking something up along the way for a supper time treat. A pretty relaxing and successful day - simple pleasures are the best!
Blackberries and Plums picked from nearby lake.
