What do you expect from a pub named after an Irishman. :haha:

Headed down to Watermead, as they advertised"Larks on the Lake" and it was a very sunny day. Usually it's rained off. Poor things, they get a few hardy souls in wellies and windcheaters. This year, Aylesbury town descended en masse. No doubt there are some burger van owners even now sitting and cursing their luck, having earned nothing in previous years and not bothered to get a pitch this year!

Going through the arch onto the Plaza. That's my Dad more or less centre in a Commander Riker pose.
Looking back at the Plaza and bandstand

Watermead is a nice enough place when the sun is out.
It's just not as good as it was supposed to be.

It was conceived as a community on and beside water. But half the shops on the Plaza are closed and the local pub is now a Thai Restaurant (not so great for sitting by the lake with a single pint on a summer evening). The cricket pitch and the artifical ski slope were built on the wrong kind of ground - they suffered subsidance and were abandoned. The cricket pavilion is therefore now a private nursery. The running track was never built for similar landscaping reasons and is now just a muddy walk. The bandstands are never used except by the ducks, and the residents complained when the lake they moved next to was used - too noisy - so no boats allowed, except model ones.

So Aylesbury got a new housing estate with no facilities of its own and nothing for the wider community either.
I'm not bitter. I just bear 16 year grudges when I feel I've been gypped.

The English at play.
Crossing to the other side of the lake.
Picnicking and the climbing tower.

Some of the attractions for the children.
Note - this is part of the "Larks on the Lake", not a permanent feature (otherwise my whinging above would be in poor spirit).

Crooked House with mini wheel and detail.
Spooked child made me smile because I am teh evil.

General lake scene.
Detail - this boy had an ice cream as big as his head!

Model boats are allowed on the lake.
Have just realised I'm buying into their conceit by even calling it a lake. It's a pond really.

Anyway, Dad was really excited by this, as he has one himself. I thnik he might be going down there sometime soon.

As you can see - you DO NOT TOUCH the models.
Very unfair on children of course ;)
Is that LJ lurking behind the models?

Wouldn't be a day in the sun without a band.
I took a quick clip, will attach it once its YouTubed.

Roundabout for the kiddies.
I love all the colours.
The roundabout I mean.

And finally - this chap cuaght my eye.
But I didn't have £1.50 to spare.

ah! All the fun of the fair. Looks like a jolly good time was had by all, SG. Thanks for sharing!

huh....i always though England was in black and white.

and..I don't do hats, SG. that looks more like BigV......and he IS lurking...

The burger van guys will have more chances, global warming and all. ;)

We went on a walk through the woods today.
We walked over varying terrain for over an hour - it was a lovely way to spend a morning.

We took a shortcut on the way back - always our intention and it was marked on the map. Unfortunately, because it's just a little woodland map, and not an Ordnance Survey, it didn't show just how steep the path was. So 5 minutes prior to the second picture we were all panting, with hammering hearts. I'm pleased to say that hours on the stepper made things much easier for me than my parents. Being 30-odd years younger helped a bit too!

Anyway - our before and after.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep...
Well, they are in places.

There are four different walks - we took a meandering route which took in a bit of all of them I think, including the bridleway and cycle track. Dad and I wanted to follow the proper routes, but Mum wanted to go the way she had with Laura, and with Dawn, and the time they'd come up here before. Sigh - it's easier not to argue. We saw all the bits she remembered anyway.

Next time we go up, Dad is just going to drop us off so that we don't have to pay £4 parking. £4! And we'll do the Firecrest Walk. 1.5 hours. Yay! Dad isn't great on uneven ground, so I didn't even suggest it this time. All credit to him for happily tackling the steep flint path shortcut though. He came up it better than Mum - not bad for a man in his 70th year!

Okay, the top photo was obviously a mistake. I got Dad to take it without really thinking it through, and he assumed there would be a flash.

But I like it, so I kept it, rather than have it retaken.

And from the edge of the woods - the rolling hills of Buckinghamshire.
Midsomer Murders country.

That's really pretty countryside.

From the woods, Dad drove to a local pub.
It's close to one of the places they house-sit, and they'd dog-walked there before.

I was delighted - the 'rents don't eat out very often, so this was a real treat. Also, taking me to a pub showed a lot of trust and love. I've never got steaming drunk in a pub with my parents, never shown them up or caused a scene. But I know Mum doesn't really understand the reasons I drank, or the specific circumstances, so this required faith on her part, which I do appreciate.

For the record - Diet Coke :)
I won't worry about the caffeine content, it was the Smallest Diet Coke in the World (tm)
Three sandwiches, one chips, two Diet Cokes and half a Stella. How much? £18. HOW MUCH?! Blimey. Good job there was a lovely view from the garden.

Then onto the village of Cholesbury.
There was an Iron Age fort there. We walked round the earthen ramparts. I took some pics, but in the end they do just look like a ditch. When you're walking it, you are very aware it is man-made though.

And onto the church of St Lawrence. 12th century I think.
It was gorgeous anyway - a little oasis of calm surrounded by trees.
I could easily imagine a shuffling group of parishioners from years gone by.

It has a place in history, actually. Following the Poor Laws (where individual parishes became responsible for supporting their own poor) it was declared bankrupt. There just wasn't a good enough living to be made from the flinty soil of the Chilterns, and too many starving because of it. It lead to the laws being reviewed by Parliament from 1833 onwards.

Details from the church.

And these I took the other day, but forgot were in my camera.
I've taken photos of these locations in the town centre before, but thought you might as well see them in summer too - they don't look quite so grim.

Kingsbury - with fountains and the English at drink.
Market Square.

Yes, much more cheery in the summer sun.

Splendid pictures all 'round!

BTW: in 20 minutes time there is Flog It! on BBC TWO from Aylesbury.

Damn, I went away to have my tea and missed it!
Shame - bet there were some right drones on there...

Interesting factet! Thanks for that.

Yesterday we decided to go on a Family Walk as the last one went pretty well.
We were forecast heavy rain and storms, but Dad decided at 10.30 that the weathermen were lying and we headed off anyway. It was the right decision - we didn't get our storns until gone 18.00.

First pic shows where we are headed.
View across the fields en route.

Ivinghoe Beacon is a chalky outcrop, standing on a ridge of similar makeup in the flat clay hills of Bucks. It was formed by glacial deposit or something like that. I didn't listen on my Geography field trip, I was too busy being glad to be out of the classroom. Don't get me wrong, I liked school. I just hated Geography.

And there did used to be a beacon there. One of a line of warning beacons which stretch across the country to warn of invasion.

A couple of pensioners out for a stroll (they let me go ahead at my own punishing pace - the leg shaping hasn't all been for show you know!)
And A view up the final hill.

Here we are!
Beacon!

They still light one occasionally, but it's a temporary thing.
I think the last one was for the millennium? Or maybe the Queen's Jubilee? I'm sure one will be lit for the Olympics anyway.

We're in the wrong place to see it, tucked away in our little Vale. But it can (obviously) be seen for miles, and must have engendered fear when it was used as a warning.

And if you look carefully in the second picture you might just see a rabbit.
Excuse my enthusiasm - I did grow up surrounded by countryside but feel I've lost all contact with it now. So feeding the squirrels, seeing a heron or rabbit (or fox!) is something very special.

Then, as last time, on to a pub!
And as last time, I was very good and asked for a Diet Coke. Even before Mum did, although she showed solidarity by ordering one too.

We ordered a cured meat platter and a cheese platter between the three of us. They came with two bread rolls, butter, olives and a salad garnish. Why-oh-why-oh-why do "they" not listen to me! The cheapest part of the whole meal was the rolls. Not enough! There never is. Or biscuits (crakers) if you're having cheese.

Anyway, as you can see I forgot to take you a photo until it was almost too late :)
£8.75 per platter. See what I mean about they could have managed a few more bloody rolls? Very nice though, and I got to eat all the olives.

The Greyhound is in a pretty little village called Aldbury.
In the summer - especially at weekends - it is rammed with walkers, cyclists, families, tourists. It wasn't so bad yesterday, only village traffic.

More Aldbury

And finally.
Notice the 'rents scurrying back to the car to prevent my hair from damaging local property prices. People with serious money live in places like this. Old money, you know - they don't have to buy their own furniture :)

Mum said, "They probably think you're American" which was mystifying, but made me grin.

Oops - I forgot this one.
Just to prove we were where I said we were.

Wiki proves it.

Oh I love those stone markers.

I expect to see Mr Steed and Mrs Peel, passing through that village.;)

Obviously a compliment. :D

I remember the very episode with that pond. Emma was subjected to a selection of medieval tortures including an iron chastity belt and a ducking stool (a hinged wooden beam really, serving in its stead) rigged on that pool. Also thrown in was a helicopter chase and a cream pie battle.

Well done both!
It hasn't changed...

But alas, Emma has. :(

In her younger days she was smoking hot.

Back to menus again.
The original plan for my birthday was to go to the Wetherspoons in Berkhamsted. It had to be close to Berko because me parents are house-sitting and can only be away from the house for a limited period of time. They'd walked up and down Berko High Street and realised that all the restaurants were very expensive - it's a dormitory town for city high fliers and there is serious money flashed by the ladies that lunch.

I was disappointed, I'll admit it.
Wetherspoons are great for let's-have-a-treat-meal. Sod-it-I-don't-want-to-wash-up-meal. I've-got-an-unexpected-ten-quid-let's-eat-meal. But they're hit and miss in terms of quality and give no sense of occasion.

Now of course I didn't tell the 'rents this. What kind of ungrateful brat turns her nose up at a meal out, especially when I only pay the minimum rent and contribution to bills in the first place. Also I didn't want to embarrass them - I've had people sneer at my iea of a good time before and it bloody hurts.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
We didn't end up eating there.
Not only did they not have what my parents wanted to order (Dada for one was really looking forward to it, having checked the menu out in advance) but the lady on the table next to us sent her meal back, and even the replacement was apparently dry and tasteless.

But for your delectation, here is a typical Wetherspoon's menu.
When they get it right, it's good plain cooking at a decent price.
Oh - it's a pub btw, not a restaurant. So the beer's cheap too.

Just a note - the value meals come in at cheaper than a McDonalds. Without a drink though.

I was going to have the gourmet burger which comes topped with bacon, Stilton, Shropshire Blue & spring onion sauce and onion rings (hold the skliced tomato). No, it's not healthy. It's my birthday!
Gotta love that mileage. And that does come with a drink.

And here is the bus ride through Tring, as promised.
Heady stuff!

Fast forward from 3.35 to 4.42 (if not all of it) as we're just sat at a bus stop.
Oh and the sound is not a taxi driver weeping like a wounded beast - it's the bus.

I might walk to Tring someday soon (and get the bus back!) because it's got some great Victorian architecture. This film is nowhere near high enough quality to show it - and that's without the bouncy bouncy bus and rampant speed bumps.

BTW - just realised... yes, we do like peas.
Peas with everything.

I noticed the pea thing....

I love looking at menus (yeah, so?!) and furrin ones are ever better... moar!

Your (+ Jim's) documenting of food encourages me in the belief that this isn't just a family abberation :) I love me some foreign cooking/ menus/ websites/ food links, and always follow them up when you're going somewhere. In a non-stalkerish way.

Either of you got any Robinson in you?
And being female, no I'm not going to ask if you'd like some.

what an awesome idea for a video, SG. great work.

No... I'm russian/german and Jim's brit ancestors were named Janney... they were well known quakers.

But I do love all things food. Wanna see where we went for Fathers Day brunch?

Oh I checked that out the day Jim posted it, don't worry!
And salivated. And envied (s'okay, I don't believe in Hell)

ETA - I think he just listed some things from the menu, because I don't remember the layout/ colours.
Now I'm just MORE envious.
Not least because brunch is an American concept, so the best I ever had was in San Francisco, and I rave about it to this day. Tell you what, you've just got yourself on the list. The visit list. Monster will drive me over to see you. [snort]

Thanks Monnie. I've done a coupla bus videos now. I might have to change my middle name to "Interesting".

do you ever stuff peas up inside penne ala arabiata?

All'arrabbiata? Yeah okay I looked it up, but I knew Arrabbiata wasn't right because it's my fave sauce :)

And yes, we do. If y'all pay me a salary I will sneak into work canteens for your benefit. Peas with all, even on teh Death Star.

Is it shallow of me not to fancy Izzard in drag? I dated a man who looked very like him in mufti. I fancied the cock off him. But put some slap on Eddie and all of sudden he's still funny... but not sexy.

Is it strange of me to still fancy him when he is in drag? :P

Yes. You are strange.
Then again, I didn't fancy Ianto before he got it on with Captain Jack, and now I think he's the eye-candy Captain John claimed he was.

So we can be strange together.

As discussed in chat last night - I took a walk as the sun was coming up.
I have no idea what was wrong with me last night - I'd had a wonderful birthday, I was just a bit out of sorts. Stayed up all night to counter the fear of trying to sleep, but then ended up having a horrific guilt-dream about my bro - who is so rarely in a bad dream of mine. All dream: He wanted to know why I'd borrowed £1000 off him when I could have sold Diz instead. He said he lent it to me because he thought I'd never seen so much money before, but then he found out Grandad had given me £1000 and he'd seen my bank statements and I got nearly that amount every month anyway. And then had a go at me for bidding for something for £12 on eBay. He said I was funding international terrorism.

ANYWAY.
These came first.

The park next to the canal is so cool.
Given my druthers I'd sit there with a camera and enjoy the kids enjoying it. But sadly, these days that would get me arrested. So I enjoyed it alone at 05.00 or thereabouts.

The canal. And a snail.

Greetings everyone………..

First of all, I should explain that I have been dipping in and out of the Cellar for some time and when I last ‘lurked’ I was surprised to find this thread by Sundae Girl as I too was born in Aylesbury. I haven’t been able to make a contribution until now, due to family illness and ultimately a bereavement.

I was unleashed on an unsuspecting world at the Royal Bucks Hospital, (Post #108 Page 8) longer ago than I care to admit and I had my tonsils removed at Tindal Hospital (Post #163 Page 11) when I was about seven years old! I wonder if they still have them?

I’ve spent my entire life in the area and now live only about five miles from Aylesbury. My dad’s side of the family established themselves there in the 1890s and I have a photo of my great grandfather and his daughter (my grandmother) standing outside a well known Aylesbury landmark. I don’t often post on forums so when I have worked out how to display photos, I’ll do so in a separate post.

Change of gear…………….

I’ve had the good fortune to visit the USA on four occasions since 1999 starting from Denver.
So, anyone here from north eastern Colorado, western Nebraska, western South Dakota or Wyoming (all of it!)?

Best wishes,

Carruthers

Welcome to the Cellar, Carruthers. :D
I'd love to see that picture of your great grandfather and your grandmother. If you have a problem posting it just give a shout and we'll give you a hand.

Hallo Carruthers! Welcome to our happy band. :)

Thanks for the welcome, Bruce and DanaC.

As promised ………

The main picture shows the Horse and Jockey pub on Wendover Road, Aylesbury, my great grandfather Henry, who was the licensee, his daughter Hetty, a dog called Bob (honest) and a lad, so family legend has it, called ‘Lazy Lambourne‘. Hetty appears to be about three or four years old which dates the photo at 1895/6.

The original has a postcard backing which leads me to believe that it was an advertising medium and, since it has appeared in a couple of local books, other examples do exist.

The second photo shows the establishment as it now stands.The site of the pub is at a crossroads of sorts, although these days you would be hard pushed to describe it thus. I think it was in the seventies that the junction was ’improved’ by carving a new connecting length of road from Stoke Road to Walton Street. This marooned two pubs, several businesses and a number of houses on what is essentially a traffic island. It rejoices in the name of the 'Walton Gyratory System’ and it must be sheer hell living or working there.
Incidentally, the pub was renamed ‘The Aristocrat’ some years ago which I imagine was to avoid confusion with another pub of the same name situated on the Buckingham Road on the north side of the town.

Something there which I hope will complement SG's great thread.

All the best,

Carruthers

very nice addition to the thread. Welcome.

Excellent, Carruthers. Thank you very much. :thumb:

Wonderful - I love old pics like this!

Wonderful contribution Carruthers! Welcome to a modern day version of an internet Horse and Jockey pub. Keep those contributions coming from your local neck of the woods. We love SG's pics and it would be great to have some more from you, with great stories attached as well.

*laughs @ "gyratory system"*