Redbourn Ford

A hot sunny day so a stroll around Redbourn Common and then across the high Street and along Waterend Lane to the ford over the Ver.

Just past the ford is a large patch of land with some large polytunnels. There was a sign reading Nursery by the gate so we went in for a look and met the owner who told us that his father had cycled from his home in St Albans at the age of 14, saw the land was for sale and knocked at 'the big house' which was answered by a butler. 

The butler showed him over the field and was told that the 14 year old would buy it when he could. And he did buy in in 1941. 

Now his two sons and daughter own the land, grow plants for sale in the summer and rent out allotments. We bought some flowers and climbing French Beans.

Walking back around the common the cricket was continuing. The boundary crosses a road and the footpath on the opposite side makes an arc to stay outside the boundary.

Jack at Grand Junction Arms

 

To Tring to lunch by the canal at the Grand Junction Arms with Emma, Toby & Jack. It was forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far, so an outside table had been booked. But the sun hid behind clouds and a chill wind blew. It wasn't warm.

Jack has started to walk. He can totter for a few steps, and I expect when we next see him, he'll be fully mobile.

Hughenden Manor

Sunny day to visit Hughenden Manor, near High Wycombe, the country home of the Victorian statesman Benjamin Disraeli and base for a WWII secret map-making operation, code-named Hillside.

Beating the Bounds

The Bounds of medieval St Albans have been beaten since 1327. This year I joined the beaters. I was issued with a willow wand tied with a yellow ribbon.

L>R Town Crier, Mace Bearer, Mayor, Deputy Mayor

We were led by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Geoff Harrison accompanied by the Mayor's Chaplain,  Mace Bearer John Hills,  Town Crier Stephen Potter and Deputy Mayor Cllr Abidi.

L>R Mayor, Town Crier, Mayor's Chaplain at Stone Cross

We started with beating the Pudding Stone in St Michael's Village, then walked along the outline of the medieval town to Stone Cross. As the cross had long gone, we ceremoniously thrashed a bollard. 

Then to Keyfield Terrace where there was a break for refreshments in The White Hart Tap, then to Cottonmill and along the Ver to the corner of the park nearest to Ye Olde Fighting Cocks.

Then back to the Pudding Stone where the Mayor handed us certificates.

The ceremony has its roots in a rebellion in medieval times against the authority of the established church.

Following a riot by the townspeople against the Abbot, 24 citizens walked around the town in 1327 to lay down its boundaries. They declared their rights and freedoms within this area should be respected and their action has been celebrated since with the Beating the Bounds ceremony. 

Rhine - Mosel Discovery - Day 8

Day 8

Placed in our cabin while we had dinner on Sunday was a personalised disembarkation timing sheet, plus the Viking Daily which had everyone's disembarkation details and an Invoice Summary.

As on-board gratuities and the drinks package were included in our booking, we had zero to pay. 

Cases were to be left outside  cabins by 07:00 with their colour coded tags and cabins vacated by 08:00. Our coach for Luxembourg airport was scheduled to leave at 08:45, so we had time for  a leisurely breakfast.

The majority of passengers were taking the post-extension to Paris, an all day coach journey with a break at Luxembourg's American War Cemetery and lunch at Reims with a walking tour. They left in four coaches at 08:15 and 08:30.

Luxembourg Airport by Krisie

Our coach took 35 minutes to reach the airport, and would have taken less if the driver hadn't mistakenly tried to enter an underground car-park with a too low roof from which he had to reverse against incoming cars.

Dan & Krisie in Airport Lounge - selfie by Dan

But check-in for our 11:55 flight didn't open until two hours before so we had to wait. Once checked in we used the lounge. Our plane left on time.

My specially requested Asian Vegetarian  meal was, our cheerful steward told me, exactly the same as the standard vegetarian dish on offer. And it was rather tasty, especially when accompanied by several glasses of Castelnau Champagne.

Our driver was delayed in a vast jam on the M25, but he arrived after a short delay and got us swiftly home. Dan & Krisie stayed the night with us before setting off on the long drive back to North Wales.