Notting Hill Carnival 2017

The Notting Hill Carnival as seen from top of the float on which Rob, my son-in-law, had his sound systems. Rob is seen in one shot talking to one of the DJs explaining what the microphone is for, I guess! Heather, my daughter, is seen with Luke's friend, Miles and Rob. Heather feels the responsibility of taking her 84-year-old father to an events such as this - it weighs very heavily on the poor lass so I have to behave. I am allowed to get off the float once we are on it, nor may I be cheeky to policemen (that instruction came in a text from my eldest son while we were there!). Sadly I could not stand to listen to a steel band, nor did we see all the colourful costumes - but there were many compensations - such as the fact that we did not have to walk all the time from 9am till 6pm! My legs are just recovering from the five miles we did walk to and from the car. The atmosphere was terrific with laughter and smiles and cheers all the way. The music is deafening! And the one minute silence for Grenfell was so moving. A few minutes before 3pm I could not see how it would work, but there was complete silence so that you could hear a pin drop for a whole minute - then the sounds started so that your rib cage jumped about and very nearly left your body! I have been for many years - and would not miss it if I can help it. But being taken there and brought back is such a help. Thanks a million Heather! And well done Rob once more.

Do spot the charges for the toilet - ranging from £1 to £3 - and £5 to jump the queue!

A minute's silence at the Notting Hill Carnival - eerie and moving

Today - as on many other August Bank Holiday Mondays in recent years - I have been to the Notting Hill Carnival. I am shattered - having left home at shortly before 9am and arriving home at around 5.30pm. We could not park Heather's car near the float as in past years due to the ring of steel to prevent possible terrorist attacks - so have walked about two miles to reach the float and then some three miles back again on what must have been one of the hottest Bank Holidays in memory! I will say nothing more today for I need to lie down - except for two things while they are fresh in my memory.

At 2.55pm riding on top of the float I turned to Heather and said that I doubted if the one minute silence to mark the tragedy of Grenfell Tower would take place at 3pm. The noise was deafening from the sound systems. The dancing was in feverish spirit. The laughter and the calling were at their height. No way would this stop.

But at 3pm there was absolute and complete silence. It was so moving. Most stood still. A few walked and then stopped. It was almost eerie. And then the sound came back again. A fitting tribute from so many folk who were determined to enjoy Carnival whatever.

Secondly I have included a shot of my daughter Heather, meeting Miles, a friend of Luke's. That lass is something special. Who but Heather would agree to her 84-year-old father's request to take him to the Carnival once again this year? The responsibility must have weighed heavily and had I passed out in the heat the crowds were such that Heather would have had a big problem to deal with.

But we survived! Thanks Heather - you are a star! Your Mum will be proud!

More tomorrow!

Grouting the mosaic

Here are some shots of the grouting of the mosaic on Saturday 26th August in the St. Peter’s Community Memorial Garden. It took four ladies (Sharon, Kristy and Jenny - I do not seem to have a shot of Ros but she was there!) some three hours of hard work, scraping and polishing. 

Balkrishna looked in for a few minutes - I made the tea and took photographs. 

The final shot does not do it justice - but the light was poor at that stage as it filtered through the trees. Now we have to level the surrounding ground, have it paved and move the seating so that this will be a quiet corner for peace and reflection. A superb job in which many took part at some stage.

Harvest Day at the Dick Turpin and Cuckoo Hall Orchards - Saturday 26th August

Saturday 26th August was Harvest Day at the Dick Turpin and Cuckoo Hall Orchards when a few of the stalwarts gathered with long poles led by Jenny and Chris. Many of those who worked on the orchards are on holidays could not join us - but we had a great day as you will see. 

Some of us have pears waiting to ripen on window sills and also apples which we are stewing and freezing, with one or two for baked apple! I might even try making an apple crumble! 

Lots of fruits in the church halls for the ladies of the parish to take home for preserve making for the Christmas Market! 

We were joined by Councillor Debbie Kaur-Thiera who was a dab hand with the picking-poles!

I am now a great grandfather!

Skye Lily Barrow-Weir met Val and Derek, whilst great grandfather had his Nikon handy at the Barrow Garden today, Sunday 20th August.