We were already glad of the break when it came to Wednesday afternoon, when we went with a group from church to Chenies Manor.
It's a beautiful, Jacobean manor house that's been extended and altered over the centuries. It's privately owned, so it's only open to the public for just three hours on two days a week. The current owners are responsible for an enormous amount of restoration work, and the interior and exterior are a joy to behold. The gardens, too, are remarkable.
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Though much of the grass was being regularly watered, and was very green, the long dry spell had taken a toll on this lawn in particular.
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Steve returned from Poland on Friday, having spent several days with Karolina at her parents' home. They actually had quite a lot of rain while we were parched.
Yesterday evening found us eating in a very pleasant restaurant right next to the Kennet and Avon Canal in Reading. We'd driven Jess to a gig in the town - it was the simplest and quickest way for her to get there - and didn't stay for that. We were hungry and thirsty, and we do know their entire repertoire really quite well!
But, having enjoyed a fine, leisurely meal at Browns, we drove back to the venue and caught Said the Maiden's second 45-minute set. We didn't go in (and we're glad we didn't, because it was, Jess told us, unbearably hot and stuffy), but the park bench we sat on looked through a side door onto the stage, so we could enjoy the performance from a very pleasant, much cooler position.
Today? More flipping decorating. Wallpaper stripping. Oh joy!
