Hempstead

Pretty warm dog walk this morning.  Bumped into Mike and Emma who was psyching herself to have a swim.  Mike has a morning walk at the same time as us.  He's been here a few years having come from Cambridgeshire.  Emma is similar having arrived from Northamptonshire some years ago.  Both enjoy it here.  

After a leisurely toast and coffee breakfast put a washing  load on the line before I headed to the market and High Street.  The fruit and vegetable stall is pretty well stocked.  I like that last week forked and twisted carrots were sold and today large courgettes.  I bought some violas to put in a planter outside the back door.  Will have to get more on Wednesday.

Went to Tesco to stock up on Halloumi.  As I was leaving someone called out Mrs S.  It reminded me of working in school.  I turned round to see Helen and daughter Katie from Cambridge a street not far away from our former house.  They were having a last holiday before school en famille.  Helen had wondered if she would see me here.  Helen has 4 grown up children.  He middle son, Michael was at the first school where I worked as a teaching assistant.   He now runs sports groups for mainly primary school age children along with his brother Philip.  His father Nigel is a retired policeman and now runs a business driving to and from airports and other venues.  They are a lovely family.  It was a pleasant encounter.  

Bought a few items from the greengrocer and was very pleased to see a huge radicchio.  I love the contrasting bitterness of radicchio in my lunchtime salad.  

In the afternoon we went to see an art exhibition in the charming village of Hempstead, not far from Holt.  There was a range of art on display: paintings, photography, woodwork and pottery.  We were encouraged by Sue and Carole who we met at last weekend's art exhibition at Bodham, to see Hempstead church.

It was a charming little church. The cross-stitched kneelers were delightful.   

Back home for Columbian coffee and half a chelsea bun each from the local baker.  To be honest they were much better than the syrupy ones a Cambridge bakery is famous for.  

A good day.  And this evening it's raining.

Pleasant evening everyone.