November 22, 2020 Play dates, puzzles and poetry (and a pink thing) How are you making use of extra time you have got at the moment because of Lockdown 2.0? This is the question that Jan…
November 15, 2020 Ten weird, wonderful, incredible and inspiring stories Few auction houses bring to life the stories behind the artefacts they sell better than Charles Miller Limited. Their enthusiastic quest to animate the…
November 8, 2020 The bells remember It might seem like a straightforward task – to manage the relationship between the clock, its time, and the bell that sounds on the hour but, as I discovered, a fair amount of dedication is needed for these things to happen smoothly …
November 1, 2020 A day in the life of an Angling Coach I have never met a Freelance Angling Coach before and so was thrilled to do so this week! Susan Galloway is running some free events called ‘Let’s Fish!’ for the Canal and River Trust.
October 25, 2020 Isambard Kingdom Brunel (… or Izzy for short!) I was thrilled to meet Izzy a three month old puppy recently and pleased to find that apparently we started something when we named Brindley and Telford…
October 18, 2020 ‘Cool Dude’ number 12 He is well remembered for being able to reduce Tisbury to a quivering wreck when we visited. Simply by nonchalantly approaching us and coming…
October 11, 2020 Just don’t touch the jewels! She is always immaculately dressed when she comes to volunteer at the shop. Her glamorous presence is impossible to miss – with her ready…
October 4, 2020 The exuberance of a healthy 255 year old! There is a huge and beautiful pear tree which grows just on the edge of Cubbington woods which is in direct line to be…
September 27, 2020 Companionable silence Dorothy had been suggesting she do my portrait for a while. It wasn’t something I was particularly keen to do as I don’t enjoy…
September 20, 2020 This is not a rubbish story! Steve and Silvia are the unsung heroes of the Millennium Bridge South of Lechlade where lots of people gather… leaving their rubbish behind.
September 13, 2020 When Daisy met Roach Daisy and Roach met for the first time a few days ago when Rich brought Roach onto the Thames too and met up with…
September 6, 2020 Isometrically speaking… Having heard on the ‘towpath telegraph” that The Artist had been at work again I couldn’t wait to get a glimpse. So I called to request an interview and was most gratified to be granted one the very next day!
August 30, 2020 Robert’s magnificent book emporium He has the air of intense concentration and quiet determination as he sits in the corner surrounded by an intimidating pile of books. Occasionally one of us will hand him one, ad hoc, found in a bag of clothing, toys or bric a brac. He takes it with a polite word of thanks… we pause our sorting and wait while he scans it…
August 23, 2020 Brindley and Telford For the canal system in the UK to exist, it needed to be designed, engineered and built… two names in particular stand out.
August 16, 2020 A day in the river of life An account of a shared day on the river from the perspective of two individuals…
August 9, 2020 “I’ll be Meg” My Allotment: “It’s really hard work, but when I am here it’s the one place where I can forget about everything else.” My Shed Nesting: Much, much more than just finding places for things to go!
August 2, 2020 The Ladies of the Allotment “I, Lady Lilly, started surveying and protecting this allotment about 12 years ago… I have had some dreadful outfits.”
July 26, 2020 Friends You hide joy in my pockets Of my mind That I sometimes find Years later. You help me know the way However hard it…
July 19, 2020 A circular morning ‘ralk’ At this time of the year, the grass has gone to seed and is dried up ready to attach itself to unsuspecting passers by. Dogs can be badly hurt by them…
July 12, 2020 The love locks of Liverpool docks From a distance, they look like barnacles or seaweed – draped dramatically over railings which face the Mersey.
July 5, 2020 “I hate gilets!” I became aware of the Waterways Chaplains and their work in the last year or so and I have seen first hand the support and practical help they were able to offer to a friend in need.
June 28, 2020 “Unshaken” Charles of Charles Miller Ltd talks about some of the fascinating stories behind the lots in his next auction which is on 7th July 2020. As he prepares to do the auction entirely online for the first time.
June 21, 2020 The memory whimsy I was thrilled to find this picture the other day. I thought I had lost it forever. It was hidden inside my old school recipe book folder. I must have put it there at some point to keep it safe.
June 14, 2020 Villains and Heroes I jumped at the opportunity to find out more about this unique artwork. And was most gratified when The Artist agreed to be interviewed.
June 7, 2020 A flotilla of wrecks The canals and rivers have been eerily quiet. Weed accumulating mid channel where normally boats would cut it away like lawnmowers with their propellers….
May 31, 2020 A fish pie story Sometimes photographs are all you have to prove that something good happened.
May 24, 2020 A straw poll March 23rd 2020 saw history write itself into a bizarre twist of fate. We were ordered by the Government to stop in our tracks….
May 17, 2020 This green and pleasant land Blessed with perfect weather on a spectacular May day. Just very glad I could capture some of it!
May 10, 2020 The much loved Cordon Bleu cookery book Sometimes beaten up old books are beaten up for a reason. Not through neglect but through use.
May 3, 2020 “You’re using the wrong oil in your engine” Matt Varney, Proprietor of Aynho Wharf, situated on the Oxford Canal shared some of his wisdom about engine oil…
April 26, 2020 Pleased to turn the news into pulp. Necessity is the Mother of invention… and the answer lies in turning the news into a pulp. Followed by a cup of tea.
April 19, 2020 The curious folding platform in the corner It was a rainy day and Steve had a broken ankle and was stuck at home with Wallace…
April 12, 2020 The Yoga Stone I sit cross legged facing the sun with my eyes closed. I can feel a cool Spring breeze on my face. My eyelids feel…
April 5, 2020 The last trip before lockdown An excerpt from Rich’s diary about the day he went up the Anderton Lift on Roach… the last trip before lockdown.
March 22, 2020 Piano man Tim My friend Tim is a piano tuner and restorer. He is also a talented musician. When I can, I help Tim in his piano workshop.
March 8, 2020 Cubbington Woods Cubbington Woods is a piece of ancient woodland which is due to be destroyed as part of the HS2 development…
March 4, 2020 Dusty the coal boat Often the sound of their laughter can be heard as they arrive before the words that are making them laugh. Their laughter is infectious and a visit from Dusty always leaves you feeling buoyed up and happier…
February 24, 2020 Stanley Stanley was a huge dog personality in Thrupp and was known and loved up and down the cut and for miles around.
February 2, 2020 Tisbury Also known as Mr licious, Mr T … he made his own choices in life. He loved cheese, especially Parmesan. He smelt. He loved to swim.
