Tree-Mendous (part two)

'Hello Pete.'

'I've been fiddling with my sky box for the last half an hour because I couldn't get any channels....'

'Oh?'

'Then I went out side and your tree has fallen on my sky dish.'

'Oops!'

And so it was that one of the remaining parts of our hawthorn tree fell down (taking with it Pete and Lena's sky dish and our shed) and to avoid further drama we decided to take the rest of the tree down.

Tree R.I.P.

First!

First raspberries, first broad beans and first purple podded peas.

They all taste yummy.

Bland Designs?

I spend most of my working day looking at buildings - either plans, or photographs or the real thing. It can be quite dispiriting when the majority of the new buildings we deal with are bland, run-of- the-mill or down right poor. And that got me to thinking about buildings that do inspire and really make a positive contribution our towns and countryside. In terms of historic buildings I love places like Clevedon Pier (surely the finest pier in the country now that the West Pier in Brighton is no more) or the Chapel at Lancing College (above), High Cross House near Totnes (left), the whole railway village in Swindon (everything from the works buildings, offices, railway workers houses and the magnificent Mechanics Institute), or the World War I airfield at Yatesbury, Wiltshire (complete with its hangars and officers barracks and mess).

But most of my work is dealing with new buildings and there are some great things being done (even in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire). Three of my favourites are in Chippenham - the County Records Office:the office where I work and this pair of houses right in the town centre:

Despite the local press criticising it I think the new offices for 'St James Place' in Cirencester are great (certainly a whole lot better than the leisure centre it replaced or the new leisure centre that has been built alongside).

I hasten to add I had nothing at all to do with any of these buildings - I specialise in the bland and downright poor.

With so much in our environmment to be a bit glum about these days its heartening to see buildings that can still lift the spirits and inspire. Kevin McCloud eat your heart out!

Bon Voyage QE2

Mum and Dad have been going for trips on the QE2 for a long time. With great ship sailing off into the sunset (or at least Dubai) towards the end of the year this was to be their last voyage. So Ali, Bess, Grandma and I went to wave them off from the dockside. Having driven down to Southampton we were a bit disappointed to be told by a security guard that we couldn't get into the dock yard and then having made our way to the dockside the viewing gallery (that used to allow you to get right up close to the ship and be face to face with passengers on the deck) had been closed - for security reasons. So we had to stand behind a security fence peering up at the pointy end of the boat. However, nothing can really take away from what a magnificent and elegant looking boat the QE2 is.

The sun came out, Mum,Dad and their freinds, Keith and Ide, came out on deck, Bess shouted 'Hello Grandad,Hello Granny' at the top of her voice, we all waved wildly, the fog horn sounded and Bess cried.

Eventually with a lot of encouragement from an unfeasibly small-looking tug she moved away from the dock side and made her majestic way up the Solent. We watched until she was a dot on the horizon.

We'll miss you QE2 and I'm sure Mum and Dad will too (especially the midnight buffet,eh dad?).

Kagoul Harris and Mark Rained-on

Whilst the serious and hardened festival goers were up to their knees in mud at Glastonbury on Friday night enjoying the Fratellis and Seasick Steve the more refined (and to be fair faint hearted) of us went to a very civilised 'festival' at Bowood House (historic seat of Lord Lansdown). We'd initially gone to see Mark Ronson, we hadn't heard of most of the other acts and the one we had heard of (Calvin Harris) we didn't like much (mostly due to his irritatingly catchy tune reminding us that anyone born before the eighties is a bit past it...thanks Calvin).

Anyway it was the end of June and the weather forecast was for a balmy sun-soaked evening, so of course it rained. As we approached Bowood we thought it must have been cancelled as there were no queues to get in and despite arriving four hours after the start we were practically on the front row of the car park. No queues to get in. No bag search. There were people with gazebos and picnics sat where the mosh-pit should have been. Set right next to Bowood House itself with great views out over capability browns landscape this was the most civilised 'festival' ever.

We sat under a tree (sheltering from the rain) for one band. They were great (although still not sure who they were - possibly Cut/Copy?) During another band we hadn't heard of (but were excellent - Sam Sparro) Rich and Emily arrived. The rain eased off , we had a beer and again marvelled how very civilised the whole event was. Calvin Harris was a revelation. We had not been expecting to enjoy him, but was so full of energy the set was infectiously enjoyable (if a little bit samey in parts)- the crowd responded particulrly favourably to 'I like those Chippenham Girls'. Then the big event...with about 15 people on stage and a rotating cast of vocalists and reasonably impressive light show... Mark Ronson promied lots. The musicians were great, some of vocalists weren't up to the task of recreating the original tracks and at times the rappers were just a row (at this point I was feeling decided middle aged!) Whilst some of the set was excellent - particularly 'God put a smile on your face', 'Valerie' and 'Oh My God' - some of it was pretty dull. So we were left a little underwhelmed, but we were impressed enough with the Calvin Harris to get his album the next day and to search out Sam Sparro too.

Getting out was equally civilised (agin we did the 'sensible', middle aged thing and left as soon as the encore started...'Stop me' which sounded pretty good from the car as we circumnavigated the Lansdown estate to try and find our way home. We will definitely go again to the 'Rose Tree Jam' but will take our own Pimms and cucumber sandwiches next time.

.........Is there anybody out there?

The other evening I met up with My brother Ed, Sue and Rob who were taking a canal boat holiday along the Kennet and Avon Canal (Jen stayed at home - catching up on some sleep no doubt) . We had a very pleasant evening at The Three Magpies near Devizes. I can heartily recommend their steak and kidney pie and the spotted richard (presumably the p.c. version of the more traditional 'dick'). Whilst catching up on all things family (Jen's trip to India; Rob's 'head boy' election; Granny and Grandads garden etc) I found out that people do actually read this blog. So a hearty "hello" to everyone in Radnorshire, its nice to know someone out there reads our drivel any way - any comments on style & content gratefully recieved.

Heres a nice photo of the place Jen refers to as 'The Shire'

Future Springbok No.7 or 8?

Nick Koster

Yesterday we (Brian, Bess, Mum, Rich and I) went down to Swansea for the day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We went to The Mumbles and had an ice-cream and a play on the beach, then we had a walk around the park and Bess had her first proper go on a bouncy castle (she hasn't quite got the hang of it yet - bless) and then we went to the Liberty Stadium to see Nick (my cousin) play with the Springbok (under 20's) number 7 shirt on, in the Junior World Championships. It was the most amazing afternoon.

Earlier in the week Mum and I went to Cardiff Arms Park to see South Africa play England, for a place in the final. It was a real case of divided loyalties, but I'm afraid blood is thicker and all that and we were right in there with the Springbok supporters shouting like the best of them.

It was a foul, wet, cold night (at the beginning of our summer!) and the game didn't kick off until 9.30pm, which was a ridiculous time to start a game. Anyway, after running up and down that dark, damp pitch for 90 minutes England won (which was good of course), but disappointing too, because we wanted the 'greens' to win that night. That meant that South Africa would now meet Wales in the 3rd place play off and England would play NZ to win. That brings me back to our day out in Swansea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

We met my Uncle Pete (Nicks Grandfather), my cousin John (Nicks Dad), JP (Nicks older brother - who is a fantastic rugby player too - watch this space) and Charlie (Nicks uncle), who had all flown over for the week to watch the tournament. That in itself was fantastic, but to then stand there as Nick ran out of the tunnel in the number 7 shirt, with the rest of the team and then stood in line to sing the South African national anthem, was a very proud and emotional experience.

Divided loyalties this time for Brian. He wore his brightest red Welsh shirt, sang the National Antem and encouraged 'his boys' all through the game, but he shouted just as loudly when Nick had the ball.


Bess proved to be a very loud cheer leader and "Come on Nick" could be heard quite clearly by the people on the other side of the stadium - she had a great time and going off on a bit of a tangent, asked if we were going again today! Bless her, start them early they say.


Anyway, I'm not going to give an account of the game (South Africa beat Wales 43 - 8), there is really no need. However, Nick scored a fantastic try (I thought I was going to wet myself!) enabled several others to do the same (I'm not biased, but he did) and then - and this is most exciting part - was awarded Man of the Match. I could have done with some smelling salts at this point! It was so well deserved and the culmination of a great afternoon.


We won't forget that afternoon in Swansea - the first of many occasions I'm sure, that we will spend watching a Koster in a green Springbok jersey.

Well done Nick - you truly are a star.

The winners of the tournament were New Zealand. They beat England 38 - 3. Well done to them, and to England for getting to the final.