The Out and About Gazette: the june dispatch from the roving out and abouters
On the 10th of June, our hearts were filled with anticipation and positivity. Summer days beckoned.
Week A, many impatient for a competitive game of Adventure Golf at Henley, eagerly boarded our minibus. Nothing in the forecast justified us staying indoors. In the knowledge that there was 89% chance of no rain, our glass was full. As we clambered off the minibus, 11% of rain struck! We sped off to seek shelter, glad that we had a good supply of ADS umbrellas. Following this angry outburst, we forged ahead.
Tim, Robin and Alan, together with Dennis, led the way, taking the game seriously. A video is featured on our YouTube Channel - view HERE. Jim got several impressive “holes in one”. The rest of us were thankful to hit the ball in the right direction!
Some of the Group A Members getting competitive at Henley Adventure Golf.
Henley Adventure Golf is beautifully situated at Mill Meadows, beside the river. It is landscaped and sheltered from the wind, with seating at intervals. The course is themed with models of historic buildings in Henley. If you fancy a spot of Adventure Golf I highly recommend this venue.
Afterwards we played safe and took possession of The Band Stand at Mill Meadows. Sultry black skies hovered but O&A were “not for turning”. Our generous picnic was polished off at breakneck speed. One lucky dog might have found a single abandoned sausage but that was all.
Lock Action Spectators.
Phil called out that his back was feeling warm. The clouds had parted. June was saying hello. We took a stroll to Marsh Lock where we watched the lock in action. Along the way we inspected the boats and commented upon the outrageous cost of moorings during Henley Regatta.
By the following Tuesday, June really had sprung. Week B ambled around these beautiful gardens perfecting our “bench hopping” skills. Currently there is a sculpture exhibition here. We fell upon three foxes. Who could not like these attractive felons? They were quite angular. If you peered closely they were covered in neatly cut pieces of print from old books. With no space on the minibus or a spare £1,800 we left them in peace, to have fun in this wonderful place.
Group B enjoying the Sculpture Exhibition.
With a feel like factor of 26 degrees we found ourselves a picnic spot which met all needs, whether you like shade or sun. Here we bedded down for another generous picnic, followed by an obligatory siesta amongst the rolling hills.
Siesta over, we headed off to explore the house, three speeding off in the National Trust Buggy, giving the rest of us trotting along, a “Royal wave”. This Tudor home most recently belonged to The Brunners Family, before coming into the hands of the National Trust. We stepped inside enjoying an oasis of coolness, listening to a piano being played in the Drawing Room.
Volunteer Ann seeking out a bit of shade.
Ann’s face (one of our FAB Four O&A Volunteers) captures the essence of summer days, taken as she sought shade and a well-earned rest, following our picnic.
Here's to more sunshine, good company, the perfect ingredients for a summer picnic and unadulterated O&A summer days.
