DIDN'T WE HAVE A LOVELY TIME...

...the day we went to Marlborough!

Another day when I was Numero Uno in the life of Mr. HCB - so we decided to go out for part of the day.  As usual he had got up usual to do what he had to do in the garden and then he was ready to go anywhere I wanted to go.  

We sat in the car for about 5 minutes deliberating on where to go, with Mr. HCB telling me I had to choose.  We ended up in Marlborough (a) because we both like it and (b) because we knew we would get a great cup of coffee there!

We managed to find a parking space in the High Street, right outside Sea Salt, so as they had a 50% off sale, I went in and tried on  some dresses, but none of them were quite right - so we walked out empty-handed.  It’s two months until we go to the wedding of friends in September, so I still have time! 

We then wandered down the High Street and eventually got to our favourite coffee shop in Marlborough, The Food Gallery.  Despite us not having been in there since before Christmas last year, the owner, Richard, chatted to us like long-lost friends - and it was so lovely to see him and catch up with his family news.  We remember when his first baby was born and I was amazed to hear that he is now 8 years old!  Then his Dad, Bob, came in and had a chat, telling us that he was “retiring” gradually and enjoying his hobby of photography, which had become almost a full-time job, judging by all the photographs on the walls of The Food Gallery - so we knew we had done the right thing!

After our coffee, it was about 11.30 so we decided to have some lunch and then Mr. HCB said I needn’t cook this evening - well, that was too good an offer to refuse, so we had two very delicious paninis.  The good thing about the Food Gallery is that after your first coffee, you can have a refill for only £1, which is great.  If ever you are in Marlborough, at the far end of the High Street, near St. Peter’s Church, do go in and see Richard and all his lovely staff - you can say that Mrs. HCB sent you and you may get a discount - but on the other hand...you may get shown the door!

Lunch done, we wandered over to St. Peter’s Church, looking forward to seeing the craft shop that was inside, but sadly that was now gone, so we walked along the other side of the street, and saw that the American Flag, the Stars and Stripes, was flying from the flagpole on top of the tower of the Church - so this is my “nod” to our American Blip friends on the 4th July.  It took a lot of shots to get the flag in the right position!

The flowers in Marlborough High Street are always beautiful, so another “nod” to Flower Friday this time with the flowers outside the Castle & Ball Hotel.

I’m not quite sure what the Postbox Topper is supposed to commemorate - but you can see a grandmother who is sitting quietly doing her knitting with her cat at her side.  Definitely not me - I never sit still for long enough these days, at least not with my knitting, but sometimes with a good book!

I did see some wonderful dereliction, but that’s for another day and another visit.

The last shot is one I took on the road out of Ogbourne St. George - the quiet road home - and shows the rolling downs of Wiltshire - always a beautiful sight.

Hope you all have a great weekend and hope all our American friends have a great time celebrating Independence Day.  M xx