Piddinghoe

TRAINS: Last week I travelled on a train for the first time in years. Sitting in the present day open carriage, made me think back to the days when one climbed into carriages which accommodated eight people, four on each side facing one another. A large leather strap under the door's window, was what one used to open the window, from where one reached to the external handle in order to get out. I found out later, that my cousin, three times removed, manufactured the straps for all the railways. I digress. I had been on an inter-schools athletic meeting, taking part in the under fourteen's 100 yards. I climbed into this carriage in which sat six very tanned men clutching large brown paper parcels. They were very jolly and asked me where I had been etc. I said '˜ You're very brown, have you been on holiday?' '˜Yes' one of them replied, '˜With thanks to Her Majesty.' When I got home, I told my mother about the episode and asked her if the Queen often gave holidays to people. She then explained to me that I had obviously travelled with some newly released prisoners from a nearby gaol. Apparently, a prison where, as of low risk, they were put to work on the farms and were carrying their possessions in the said parcels.

PLANT RESCUE: I have a great time visiting Garden Centres and locating plants in their so-called Bargain Basements. There, rather sorry-looking plants sit neglected and sorry for themselves, reduced in price to as low as £1 or even 50p. I take them home and give them a lot of tender, loving care and with only one of all the many, giving up the ghost, the others have turned Winto flourishing plants again.

THE VILLAGE: Piddinghoe is looking splendid at the moment. It is a sea of daffodils, fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Even Wordsworth would be filled with admiration. These were obviously planted long ago, I do not know by whom, but congratulations to whoever it was. This cheers all, residents or passers through.

SMILE FOR THE DAY: Question: What do you call an episode of being hit by the same bike, every morning, on the way to work? Answer: A vicious cycle.

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