The above photograph is ‘Winter Garden in Aynho’ by Jim Muller, a member of the Photographic Society and resident of Aynho. December December – the ebbing of the year begins to gather momentum The leafless trees mourn the passing of another summer Days are so short and the sunlight precious The nightly frosts gather all…
‘We really can’t do any more for you. I think you should go back to see your specialist. I’ll write to your doctor to that effect.’ These were really not the words I wanted to hear from the physiotherapist I had started seeing in January, five months earlier. The thought of some surgeon tampering with…
One of the best things I have done was answer “Yes” to a question I was asked in 1961. I was moving to a new school and during my interview with the Headmistress, she asked if I would like to learn Greek for O Level. This was well before the days when pupils get glossy…
October’s meeting produced some very enjoyable stories of sports cars and other vehicles before a tasty lunch and a fascinating presentation about Oxford Writers with a journey through the city along the Thames. Needless to say Alice in Wonderland featured strongly. This month we hear “two things to do before we die” or “the best…
In 1995 I visited Hong Kong and China. Landing at Hong Kong Kai Tak airport is a hair-raising experience as planes fly between the high-rise buildings of Kowloon and land on a runway that extends into the sea. Immigration at Hong Kong, a British colony, took two hours; entering China at Shenzhen took two minutes.…
Well, yes, I really do love to be by the sea. Given time I expect I could list all the glorious days and weeks I’ve spent at the coast from childhood up. That wonderful feeling of coming home in the back of the car, or the Sunday School coach, sleepy, crumpled and pleasantly toasted. Not…
By early July, the temperature rises above 30 degrees. It’s warm enough to plunge into the sea without taking tentative steps into the water before catching your breath. Under a cloudless sky, the sea is a deep turquoise, reflected in the underbellies of seagulls hovering still above the water. Last week, I’d shiver after my…
Recalling my childhood is easy. At rememb’ring those days I’m a winner, But I really can’t say what’s happened today; Or what I’ve just had for my dinner. How can I remember, when my memory’s so full; There’s really not room for much more. But try as I may to remember today what I said,…
GREAT AUNT GERTRUDE My great-aunt Gertrude was one of seven children, born sometime in the 1880’s in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Lancashire. I haven’t any knowledge of her childhood or upbringing as my first encounter with her was when I was nearly six years old. She had been invited to stay with her sister, Julie and brother-in-law Robert…
Well, it’s a good job it is empty, as at the moment it’s hanging at an awkward angle from the garage ceiling. Much loved, almost forgotten, but ready to go into service again if required. I’ve no idea how old it is, my family’s old high chair. It was 2nd hand when my aunty passed…