Last time we came to Thame, we ate at Cafe Bobo.
We didn't this time - didn't eat out at all, but here are the menu boards outside.

Mum and I were accosted merrily by a "charity" worker on the High Street on the numerous times we walked up and down.
Now I rarely give on the street unless I can identify the charity. Far too many people take your money for "good causes" when in fact the majority of money simply funds bonuses for people collecting money.

But he was so jolly and complimentary that I thought it was worth a handful of coins to get some photos.

And finally...

Back in Aylesbury I pose with Norman Stanley Fletcher.
Well, a statue of Ronnie Barker.
He's looking up at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, as he had his acting debut in this town.

Excuse the background; they are building the supermarket I start work in on 8 August!

Those meringues look to die for.

What does the term "free house" mean?

Most pubs in England (can't speak for the rest of the UK) are affiliated to a brewery.
This means they stock the brewery's chain of beers. Even the chain pubs will often have a "Guest Ale" these days, but that's quite recent.

A Freehouse is where the pub is owned outright by the Landlord, even if he does not manage his own pub. The menu will be set by the pub if they serve food, they can choose when to serve food and when to stop. And they can source their drinks purchases from wherever suits them (although many will buy in "packages" - like you get on satellite TV but instead of sports-drama-free telephone calls it's Fosters-Tetley-Schweppes)

I'd always rather go to a freehouse if it's managed well.
But some chains have set their stalls out as cheap and consistent. The McDonalds of the pub world, but with better decor.

that sounds like my local brewpub setup. I think you can usually get other beers besides the house brew when you go though.

I think that you'll probably remember the Maggi Soups factory at the bottom of the High Street, Sundae, but when I was a kid it was known as Nestles. That might be before your time. God I feel old!
Prior to its Nestles incarnation, it was known as the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company and my grandmother, who died some years ago, always referred to it as 'the milk factory'.

Anyway, here it is showing suppliers arriving with churns of milk. I think it must have been prior to WW1 when the picture was taken, but I wouldn't want to say that for sure.

I've added a screen grab from Street View, of the site as it now stands, and sections of the original perimeter wall are still quite evident.

Google Street View - Aylesbury.

Not seen this thread before!
I used to live in Tetsworth (a small village about ten minutes from Thame) and my best mate's wife used to work in the Spread Eagle. Now I live in a village just outside High Wycombe. Great seeing all these pics!

Hey, Carr, thanks for the photo.
It was always Nestles to us (not Nest-lay!) and a friend's Mum worked there. In fact one of her colleagues was the advocate of walloping children with a spoon, mentioned in another thread. When my friend's sister made a hash of mashing the potatoes, so there were still lumps in them, said friend told her Mum the next day that she should have dumped the hot pan, contents and all, on her daughter's head. Ah, the eighties...

Dads worked at Hazell, Watson & Viney, and his warehouse was pretty much opposite there, although set too far back to see it.
Mum and I have speculated since that Dad's extraordinary fondness for Tesco is that it allows him to follow what was his old route to work. Illness is making his visits less frequent now, and moving to the town centre might stop them altogether. Which is sad, really because he obviously enjoyed them.

There was something like a visitors' day at Hazells when I was about 12.
Of all of us, I was the one closest to my Dad and the one who really wanted to see where he worked.
But it was in the Summer, and I'd been out in the sun too long the day before and had sunstroke. They all trooped off merrily, leaving me with a sick-bucket, a glass of water and closed curtains. I would have cried but it would have hurt too much.

And hey, Bloke.
Maybe one day we should have a Bucks GTG!
I know Tetsworth. I had driving lessons when I lived and worked in Thame, so I drove around the countryside endlessly.

Thanks for your response, Sundae.

My dad's uncle, long since departed this mortal veil of tears, also worked at HWV. He lived opposite Nestles and never walked more than a hundred yards or so to work all his life.

All the big employers like HWV, International Alloys and the Rivet Works, have gone haven't they?

Must dash, lunch is on the go. Will post another pic this afternoon.

Carruthers

As promised another old photo, this time of the cattle market in Exchange Street where the cinema is now.

Using only my finely honed fashion sense, I think that the photo was probably taken in the 1930s. The ridged building right at the back of the shot was the town hall which burned down some years ago.
I was a kid at the time and have a vague recollection of it happening.

The partially visible writing between the buildings was the sign for T. Loader, corn merchants. They also had a shop in Kingsbury Square which is now an arts and crafts outlet.

It's a pity that the photographer didn't stand a bit further back so the whole market could be seen in the context of the street scene.

After the market was closed, the pens were removed and the place was used as a car park for some years before finally succumbing to full scale redevelopment.
On balance, I preferred the cattle market.

And finally...

There is a collection of old photos on the Bucks County Council website which might be of interest. They are organised by parish selected from a drop down menu. Hours of entertainment await you.

Buckinghamshire photographs

I remember the cattle market very well. Not the Town Hall though.
The photo of Wetherspoons is a perspective I see at least five days a week.

The 'rents new flat.
Building with the red door, first floor (second floor to Americans)
Oh, just noticed the extra windows below. It's the floor ABOVE where the red door is. I forgot there is another flat below, which is currently being reburbished.

It's above the offices of the charity they will be renting from.
It's in an area which has many solicitors' offices with some residential properties.

You can see clearly that no-one currently occupies the flat.
Mum & Dad will have curtains/ blinds, although they are in no way overlooked. It is such a light property, with windows facing in three directions. Nothing like this dark little house, they'll have natural light all day.

The second photo is looking up Rickfords Hill.
It's a flattering shot, but this part of Aylesbury is almost completely attractive.

Oh that's really pretty!

The view from the front of the property. Street level because I just stopped off on my way home, so I wasn't inside the flat.

The first photo shows what was previously The Saracen's Head, which was a gay pub.
All I hope is that the building doesn't re-open as a pub. Gay or not, it will stress Mum out because the room they've chosen to be their bedroom is at the front of the flat. She hates street noise, and there will be some if it's a licensed premises. There is another room they can use as a bedroom though. They've decided not to because it contains their only access to the garden, so if they have people to visit in the summer they don't want them traipsing through their bedroom.

Without the pub, the area will be very quiet at night. It is in the Town Centre but is not en route to any taxi rank, buses, trains or carparks.

In fact the other shot, which is only slightly to the right shows the Quaker Meeting House.
And I've sat there in the silence of a Friends' Meeting quite a few times.

The less flattering view down the hill.
You wouldn't refuse a property because of it, it's just not really in keeping with the Old Aylesbury vibe. Damned town planners.

And the more flattering view further up the hill.
See what I mean?

Through the arch there is a garden gate, to which they have a key.
It has a bit of a Secret Garden vibe, because you wouldn't know it was there.

The garden is ENORMOUS and completely maintained for them.
There's a section of old masonry from St Mary's church at the far end, and a little portico. And it's only shared with the offices (which keep regular office hours) and one other flat. And it's plenty large enough to accommodate two large garden parties, should the 'rents ever take it into their heads to have one. Unlikely.

Neither of them enjoy gardening. They only do it out of a sense of duty, and to have an attractive place to sit. So this is perfect.

Of course I will get proper photos when they move in, this was taken with my camera sat on the wall!

That looks very nice for them. Especially all the natural light.

Have you seen the 'Britain From Above' collection of aerial photos mostly from the 1930s and 40s, Cherry?

I've just had a quick look and whilst there doesn't appear to be any of the Rickford's Hill area, there are some of the Market Square and several very good views of Hazell's.

Britain From Above.

Oh, so nice!

Further to my post #500 above.

If you go to Historic photographs and click on 'Advanced Search', then enter 'Rickfords Hill' (no apostrophe) in the 'Place' field, you'll see a number of results which I hope will be of interest.

The site doesn't allow a link direct to the results page, unfortunately.

Any better?

Absolutely perfect!

In Sundae's post #58 in You, RFN 2014 we would be roughly in the spot where the lad is standing with his back to the camera.

I'm sure they presssure washed it first though;)

Yeah, must have been very early in the day. :lol2:

So, yesterday I left work and bumped into Carruthers eyeing up some birds.
Well, okay, we'd agreed to meet up, and in fact he was checking out the canal basin, so if there were any birds they were of the web-footed variety.

We headed across the road for a mid morning coffee.
Carr took my advice on which one to order, as he hasn't drunk coffee in years. Which will make Dani and Limey laugh as they know I don't really drink it either!
Carruthers was tempted by some breakfast, but I'd eaten earlier, so I declined and he decided against it too. Probably didn't want to drip egg yolk down his chin and have it reported back here ;)

Carruthers is very easy to talk to, we spoke of string and sealing wax and cabbages and kings. You know, the usual Cellar stuff. He has been through many of the same family situations I have, and of course is local, so we have the same geography.

I rambled on too much, of course. Hopefully I didn't come across too odd. Bu if I did then maybe it's because I am. It's hardto tell sometimes. We certainly agreed that there's nothing new under the sun. And although the weather came up, it has been extraordinary recently. And we didn't talk about the telly at all, except in a very peripheral way. S that's proper grown up talking. Okay I talk telly with Dani all the time, but it's because we suggest things to each other, not because we both watch Holby City or anything equally dire.

I had a good time, and it was great not just to connect with someone from the Cellar, but also to talk to someone who I know understand what it's like to be an adult livingn with a family member(s) and dealing with some of the restrictions and liberation that leads to. Even if that rug is being tugged for me now.

Oh, Carr, Mum was right about that bread.
It was gorgeous. I had the leftovers for breakfast this morning. 04.30, but once I woke up I couldn't sleep in anticipation of another fun morning in Bakery...

Thanks for that account, Cherry. Cellar writing at its best.

I also enjoyed our chat very much and the relaxed atmosphere that went with it. Thanks for your company.

Coffee v Tea. I am a dedicated tea man, but the trouble is, and I think many people will identify with this, is that no-one else can ever make a cup of tea just the way you like it, hence my electing to try a Latte or two.
I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and quality of the coffee you recommended. I might just change my allegiance…

By the way, I am flattered that you think I am easy to talk to.
The semblance of a blush has risen, unbidden, to my manly cheek. :blush::blush::blush:

All the best,

Carruthers

Sorry about the poor typing above, I was being slack and using my iPad, and I'm never quite as accurate as I am on a "proper" keyboard.
And I'm plenty inaccurate even on one.

So, off home to start putting dinner together.
Self deprecatory comments (aka whinging) in a later post.

Cooking the main made the house smell delish. Even Dads commented on it. I got us a pizza, because I wanted something I could bang in the oven and not have to worry about washing up (one oven tray). Colour him unimpressed. He had a measly token slice then claimed to be full. Still, we gorged on the leftovers as the courses came back.
Wait - getting ahead of myself.

I bought candle bags a while back because I saw them in Poundland I think.
I had a vague idea of giving a pack to my bro to bump up his Christmas present, or using them at Halloween or maybe when "the girls" came round. I achieved the last anyway. Weighed them down with powdered mortar. No idea why Dads had it, but I knew it was a given it would not be used by him again. Worked well.

Two views of the front path.
All the girls appreciated it and commented on it.
So they flipping well should - I set them out when it was barely twilight, 15 minutes before they were due to arrive. It was full dark bty the time they were all here. 18.00-18.30 means 19.05 apparently. Still, it was technically a one-pot meal, so nothing was spoiled. I'm just a punctuality-Nazi.

Note For Sale sign in garden :sniff:

Table set ready for action.
Detail. Yes, the chap on the camel was from eBay for 99p.

I posted before about looking up ways to fold paper napkins.
The instructions on how to fold one into a rose sent me fruitloop - I swear there was at least one stage missing. So I went with a classic fold that I already knew how to do with linen napkins, although I admit I did brush up on it online.

The main course made me disappoint.
I did sort of cobble it together, in that I had all the ingredients I could possibly need, but I was not following a set recipe and hadn't practised it, lamb being as expensive as it is.
So although it was very much Moroccan Lamb in flavour, it was quite wet, like some curries, as opposed to the drier, more tagine feel I'd hoped for.
Still, it went down very, very well and was complimented most highly. Mum and Dad are finishing off the leftovers as I type and as soon as they are finished I will go downstairs and finish it off myself.

I pat myself on the back for the flavour, because of course I taste as I go along, it was just the consistency I was dubious about.

Me in my uniform.
At this point I am wearing my hijab incorrectly.
I corrected it.
It's oddly liberating having all your hair covered up.
I do prefer to have the choice though.

I also had a CD of Moroccan Lounge Groove (?!) playing.
All instrumental.
And some Frankincense & Myrrh incense burning. Although you get what you pay for with that - I didn't want an overwhelming scent, but it wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for.
Still. Better than buying the really good stuff and having to put it out.

Starters
Bread with dipping oils
Chips & dips (and by chips I mean crisps - no, really, flavoured crisps - brought by a guest)
Home made falafel

Main
Moroccan lamb
Cous cous
Potatoes
Green Beans

Dessert
Blueberries in Cassis inside Meringue Nests with Crème Fraiche
Cheese & Biscuits (brought by another guest, who took home the remaining cheese, including the very nice Cornish Quartz I'd added to the board because it looked pretty sparse)
Baklava & Turkish Delight, Coffee

I present The Girls

I travelled down the country on Friday, to be with Dads on his 75th birthday.
Family things being what they are, we are having two separate celebrations. It's not so much about the whole my-sister-has-disowned-me blahblahblah, and more about the fact Mum offered a choice about which of the two weekend days everyone was free. The Wrights wanted Saturday, Ste wanted Sunday, so guess who I sided with?

Yup. Going to have Italian with the 'rents and my bro today. Looking as Sophia Loren as a fat middle aged woman with wild lilac hair can manage.

Dads loved the boot-sale cat. He doesn't know where it came from (Mum does but she loves it too).
They've called it Queenie.
The inflatable crown was from me. He wore it out for the meal yesterday and it was a hit.

Mad old Dad. I feel like Cordelia.

The buses were so confusing. I gave up and went on the train. More than I intended to pay, but so much quicker and easy to work out.

I will confess from the outset that I wore the wrong shoes.
This is so unlike me... :rolleyes:
But I believed the church we were meeting at (because it was having an open day, and I like ecclesiastical architecture) was right on the High Street. Nope, it was along a gravelled path. Note to self, next time you meet Carruthers, wear flat shoes and rely on conversation to impress him, not in platform wedges and height.

Cornflowers and clematis.

Poor Carr. He's such a gentle man.
He's not responding to my calls this morning. This may be because I ended up going barefoot and making him carry my shoes.

Nature in all its glory.

Church photos now.
Lots and lots.

It was really rather marvellous I have to say. And Carr is such a genial host; I swear he knew every twinkly eyed lady there...!

I know, I know.
I can't help it. They call out to me.

Main display and detail.

Stern stony looks from lady who does not approve of my footwear.

Flowers, God and railways.
Always a winning combo.

I'm not mocking - the whole outing was delightful.

We went on the tombola. I think it was seven tickets for a pound?
Why can't I remember? Because Carruthers paid :hug:
I don't mean that in a materialistic money-grubbing way, it was a kind gesture.

And of the seven tickets we got four prizes!!! (or maybe three - I was too excited after the first!)
One was even a bottle of wine.
I gave it to my Mum, unopened, undrunk, as soon as I got back here. Just so you know. Even though I went home via the pub and had loads of fags and booze and steak and kidney puddings. Not. Although I did pick up a discounted roast chicken at Morisson's so Mum didn't have to cook.

And we had tea n cakies too. Mine was a mini cream scone, the unhealthiest thing I've eaten in weeks. Flipping lovely. But that might have been the fellowship. Sitting under canvas in the watery sunshine, barefoot and blethering on.

Just realised I had a hotdog too!
What a fat pig.
Me and the sausage I mean.

Ketchup and mustard.
In a white dress?! This girl knows no fear.
Except fear of collapsing on a weak ankle. Remember how I said Carruthers squired me? He very politely allowed me to take his arm back down the uneven gravel path, so there were no spills and spillages on the way back.

What a lovely day. Shame it's bucketing down now!

I love the new hair color, Sundae.

Nice one you two! Looks like you had a great day! Despite the footwear fail!

Sent by thought transference

King Dad!!

There's a movie title for ya.

"platform wedges and height"

so funny, though I'm sure he was impressed nonetheless, as you're never without your conversation, irrespective of your footwear.

I went through my photos when I was recharging my camera, and realised I hadn't posted the ones I took of the guest bedsit I stay in when I visit the 'rents.
It has its own street entrance, but can also be accessed across the garden, which all the flats share. It is for friends and relatives of residents who want people to stay overnight or longer, and is rented out at £10 per night.

It's a lovely little place - I want to live there. It's perfect for one person, although I'm sure it would be fine for two. Fully equipped kitchen, long and deep bath (there is a shower too, but I usually indulge in a bath). All linens provided, although Mum usually supplies them for me because that way she can bring them back and wash them at her leisure.

Bedroom - separated from the living space by a partition wall.
Attachment 51689

The "dining" end of the living space. I was packed to leave at that point, hence my things in the middle of the room. I use the table for make-up, as I don't tend to eat alone when I'm there.
Attachment 51690

Sofa end of same room, including the balloon (Welcome Back!) that Mum brought to greet me at the bus station with.
Attachment 51692

Kitchen - which is L-shaped and has a table-top oven with a two ring hob around the corner. Mum does my washing for me, because her machine is faster and more efficient. She also has better drying facilities. Again, I've only ever used the fridge, for fruit, leftovers and cold drinks.
Attachment 51691

There's no TV, but that's not a hardship for me, and Mum always lends me a radio.
I think of it as my place, it's funny to think other people probably feel the same!

What a great idea!

I've mentioned somewhere on here that I'm going down to London/ Surrey/ Aylesbury at the beginning of August.

My brother is taking part in a 100 mile bike ride, and wants someone to whoop and holler on the hardest part of the course (climbing Box Hill).
Going down the night before, staying in London - courtesy of my bro - then travelling down to Surrey. I really want a shooting stick, so I have somewhere to sit if it rains. I'll have to carry my overnight bag with me, but I learned my lesson from Arran. I'll take two outfits and clean knickers, and a roll-up plastic mac and that's IT!

Because after London I'll be travelling back via Aylesbury, where I'm booked into the bedsit for two nights. Yay! We don't have any plans, it's just silly to travel more or less past Aylesbury and not take the chance to see the aged p's.

And I'm hoping to meet a dashing young Dwellar for lunch - or at least a cup of tea - on Monday. Wearing my flat shoes this time of course.

Steven's given my permission to share any photos, so no doubt there will be a lot of me, and some of Surrey :)
He says:
It's not begging if it's for charity and not for me, is it?
Although really it is for me; Steven chose the charity for my benefit, bless him. My Brother the Superstar.

Anyway, if you're interested in cycling, photos of my family, pictures of Englishmen suffering, check out the website. It's a Virgin Fundraising page, but there's no strings atttached.

Boychik in his team colours.
Am so proud.

Thank you to the Dwellars who have contributed to his charity. It's not too late: http://tinyurl.com/steve100miles

Yay!


Sent by thought transference

A week to go, and my baby bro is now £60 over target (again, thanks Dwellars)
Every penny goes direct to the charity Mind, not to him, so feel free to contribute.

Been looking at the terrain he'll be riding. Despite the fact that it's one hundred miles (ONE HUNDRED MILES!) I can see why he wanted me at the hill climb stage.
Even embarrassing sisters whooping and hollering are better than fighting uphill alone.
Very nearly bought a chair to take with me today. Only £10. I hefted it about and it weighed nearly nothing. I even took it inside to pay. But then saw a dress on sale instead. I'm actually a bit too top-heavy for it. Ask Carruthers, he saw the photo!

Anyway, I figured a dress would be more useful long-term than a chair. So I put back the latter and bought the former. I'll take a plastic bag to sit on.
And it is a lovely dress. Got me a discount at the carboot sale..

From a Yorkshireman.
That's saying something!

A slingshot might help too. :haha:

I'll write up my London/ Surrey/ Aylesbury trip when I have more time.
I had a wonderful day - if a little upsetting at times (this is me, remember - currently unable to cross the road without tears and drama). However the boy wonder had really planned everything well for me. And the lovely Mr Carruthers provided a telephone support line to make sure I didn't lose my nerve at any point.

Steven didn't complete the 100 miles, sadly...
Nah - he completed the course! It just wasn't technically 100 miles in the end, that was all. They had to close off a section because of a fatality, so I shouldn't joke about it.

He once again asked me to thank the Cellar for your support. £400 - $625 - raised in straight donations. Plus the charity can claim back tax money when the donors are British tax payers. The boy done good.

Mr Robinson with his new prize.
Steven, I'm so proud of you.
Attachment 52869

And then me messing about in the bedsit last night (I'm in Aylesbury until tomorrow).
Guess who isn't careful about sunscreen any more? Well I never get to see the sun in Otley!
Reflection in kitchen window.
Attachment 52870

This is what I was actually there to take a photo of.
Attachment 52871

That towel photo made me take an extra dose of blood pressure medicine!

You shoulda seen the out-takes :blush:

Anyway. Had a mini, short GTG with Carruthers last night. First time he's been to my 'rents since last December, when things were very different.
We exchanged pens (his gift to me) for Penguins (chocolate covered biscuit bars) and chatted and laughed and generally got on as well as any two Dwellars could. I took him on a tour of the estate. By which I mean the garden. But it's a decent sized one by town centre standards.

Received this mail from my bro. He apologised in a follow-up for sending it (why?!) because it's generic, but I completely get that there are a lot of people who he wants to update.

Maybe I should stop calling him Boy and start calling him The Man.

My visit to see Sundae was highly enjoyable but far too brief.
I can't really leave my Dad for very long as his balance is not too good and the possibility of a fall is a constant worry.

I know Aylesbury very well having been born there and I live only about fifteen minutes drive away.
The old town, where Sundae's parents live, probably hasn't changed much in the last couple of centuries.
Almost inevitably, it's on a hill, and not far from the parish church. It's astonishing just how quiet it was out in the garden despite the proximity of a major road.
We had a good old chinwag and more than a few laughs and it was great to see her again

I went into Aylesbury for the usual shopping foray this morning but zipped around in double quick time and headed home before the sunshine reduced me to a frazzle.

That said I did make time to take this picture.

Attachment 71197

It isn't the first time Ronnie Barker has graced the Cellar with his presence.

Link

Thank you for that.

Excellent, Carruthers!

Thread resurrection approved!

Neat, I take it he's a celebrity of some sort.