A day out at The New Forest and Hampshire County Show

This week we went to the show, it was a very hot day and there were many people visiting the show which is held in a few fields just north of Brockenhurst, it's held each year about this time in the year.



Outside of the show area was the usual fun fair.













Inside there were some great displays of livestock including cattle, horses and sheep, and in the tents were the rabbits and budgies and loads of craft stalls.

In the main arenas there were horse riding / jumping competitions and displays, and nearby we also saw some steam engines and old threshing machines being used.

And whilst we rested our feet we saw a short extract of Alice in Wonderland - supposed to be for the children but we enjoyed it too.


Apparently it rained last year - certainly no mud this year - at least whilst we were there.

Everything was well organised and good value for money, we intend to go again next year.

What a wonderful day for dinner in the garden

Last Sunday we visited Geoff and Brod and enjoyed a marvelous day in their garden, where we were treated to Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding - almost as good as mine ..... oops .. my compliments do go to the chef.

This was washed down with some delightful special beers that I think Brod had hoped would be for him alone ... aha no chance .

We took with us some new plants for them to add to their existing collection, which we hope to see flourishing on our next visit, whilst there we checked out their garden, Suri did a little watering whilst Brod finalised the meal, and Geoff did the serving ..... me , well I just sat back with a cool beer and enjoyed the lovely surroundings.

Brod and Geoff have a good size well stocked garden, which with their sandy soil can be a bit of a challenge.

After dinner we went for a stroll up to the top of Hengistbury Head, this on a very hot day was quite demanding.

Thanks to Geoff and Brod for their as ever ... wonderful hospitality.

Ann & Colin visit

It was good to have friends down from Potters Bar for the weekend.

We went to Swanage and Corfe Castle via the Swanage Steam Railway. We went to Upton and Sandbanks, where much walking was done, Ann and I even had a paddle in the sea.

And in the evening we played Bridge.

A very enjoyable time and the weather was kind to us too.

Announcement

Just become a Grandad..............

Thomas William Robert was born 15th July 2008 at around 8.45pm

Both mother and baby healthy and well.

Everybody ecstatic - celebrations all round.

Well done Sophie.... oh and Daniel as well..... he is beautiful.

Upton Proms Friday ..... 11th July

Last Friday evening we went to the Proms - that is Brod, Geoffrey, Suri and myself, we had a very good time with the best seats in the field.


It started off dry and we tucked into the pic nic that we had brought with us, the music started and so did the rain, well a heavy shower really so we all just sat there in our seats with umbrellas hoisted.





But the umbrellas came in useful as we raised them in time with the music, as well as flying the flag - oh and the wine helped - well me any way.






The music was great and the compere was particularly good - singing along as well. And the fireworks finished the evening off.

The Concert Details are shown below:

Borodin : Prince Igor Overture
Herold : Clog Dance from La Fille Mal Gardee
Schoenberg/Boublil : Stars
Tchaikovsky : Sleeping Beauty Rose Adagio & Waltz
Rodgers : Soliloquy from Carousel
Suppe : Light Cavalry March Overture
Strauss : Thunder & Lightning Polka
Badelt/Zimmer : Pirates of the Caribbean
Mozart : Magic Flute: The Birdcatcher Am I
Grieg : In the Hall of the Mountain King
Elgar : Pomp & Circumstance March No.4
Vaughan Williams : Fantasia on Greensleeves
Sullivan : The Mikado's Song
Walton : Crown Imperial March
Parry : Jerusalem
Wood : Fantasia On British Sea Sings
Elgar : Pomp & Circumstance March No.1

Performers

Conductor:

Matthew Wood

Soloist:

Earl Carpenter (Presenter)