Hi at last. We have been coming down, and getting settled in Stroud. Our good friends the Mayhews have been very hospitable and let us bunk in their guest room.

On Friday, Malcolm and Delyth took us out for my birthday lunch to The Royal Oak, in a small village nearby. It is a classic Cotswold pub oozing charm, cosy fire and very good food

On Saturday we got to wander around at the Stroud farmers’ market. This is a top notch market with lots of wonderful, fattening things to get. We were assigned the task of getting donuts for us all. That done we  wandered and enjoyed the buzz on the street. Sheelagh got a ticket to a brass band concert and I got one for a production of  THE DOLL’S HOUSE. Both were very good.

On Sunday we went to church with Delyth and saw our friend Derek. We got together with Derek later on and had coffee and heard of his plans.

Today we left in the rain and drove north to the peaks district. Delyth is attending a Baptist conference and Malcolm is baby sitting us. We went to the Denby centre where we saw the latest Denby dishes and cooking equipment. We also got to watch a cooking demonstration. Very good fun. We are here until Wednesday afternoon.