A few days ago D gave B a lift to the pub at Balsall Common to meet friends for lunch then he and I went to Berkswell for lunch.
Berkswell is my favourite local village and full of interest and history.
A plant for us to id for the 2026 Wild Plant Challenge. Many thanks to my friend Kirsty who has id'd this plant as Bristly Oxtongue - another new species for the list. We have now seen 109 species.
The Bear - my favourite local pub
Blackberries, Ivy flowers and Hawthorn berries in the hedgerow although there were no pollinators on the ivy probably due to the rain.
The Nook - a fairly new tearoom in the village and recently refurbished - where we had lunch.
As well as serving food and drinks the Nook also holds various craft workshops.
We had a toasted cheese sandwich consisting of several types of cheese and chutney for lunch. I managed to resist the cakes!
I did plan to visit Berkswell churchyard after to look for waxcaps as Plantlife is asking people to do a Waxcap survey in places like churchyards. But sadly when we left the tearoom the rain had only just stopped and as I didn't have my wellies with me I decided the grass would be too wet. Hopefully we can return.
Instead we drove back to Balsall Common and had a look around Oakes Farm Shop before picking up B at the pub. D bought some Isle of Wight garlic so that he can plant the cloves and grow new bulbs over the winter for next year.
We have still not had chance, for various reasons, to return to Herefordshire. The planning application decision is not due until early next month but we also have other concerns about the caravan for sale next to us so in some ways I am dreading going back.
All photos taken by me or D with the Panasonic Lumix FZ330 bridge camera. (I don't particularly rate my photos but if anyone wishes to use one of mine or my son's I would appreciate an email first - thanks).
14 comments:
I have not been in a pub for years and that from someone who spent more time than should have in one. I now just prefer having a coffee & cake somewhere .
The Oxford canal you walked along near Kidlington, that is where Faith Martin bases Hillary Green, and she lived on the canal at Thrupp. There are three churches in that area to see, you can’t miss Kidlington but the other two at Shipton on Cherwell and Hampton Gay are with a visit as well
Thanks so much Billy. We did have a pub lunch near a canal recently and we have been to a pub for a meal about 3 times this year to celebrate birthdays. But these days it is so expensive and, as you say, tea/coffee and cake is just as nice at lunchtime.
Thanks so much for information re canal near Kidlington and especially about the Hillary Green books. I must go back to that series soon as I have some still to read. Sadly, Oxford quite a distance so I doubt I will be able to visit the churches you mention but if we ever return I will bear it in mind!
Don’t forget the new one coming out
109 wild plants is a great achievement. Berkswell looks a lovely village and The Nook looks like a super place for lunch. All the happenings at the caravan park sound worrying, no wonder you don't look forward to going back anytime soon, it seems like your peaceful place has been taken from you:)
Thanks Billy I won't forget it.
Thanks so much Rosie. I love Berkswell and could easily live there! Hope changing your internet provider went smoothly.
I am SO fed up about the caravan site. We fear the caravan next to us which is for sale and has been reserved for weeks is being turned round to face opposite direction. This would be awful and would affect our privacy as their door would face ours and their lounge would look out on our garden. We won't know until we go back. I just so wish the old owners hadn't sold the site!!!!!!
The changeover went well except we have a problem with e-mails and will lose the ones we had soon. I haven't blogged because we have both been ill with really bad colds, I still have one after nearly three weeks, it may have been made worse by the flu jab, not sure. Will be back blogging when I feel up to it. take care:)
Oh Rosie I am so sorry you have both been unwell and I really hope you will feel better soon. We still have to arrange our flu jabs. Glad the changeover went well. Must admit when my husband mentions changing internet provider the emails bother me as I would have to notify so many people and organisations of the change :( I hope you feel well enough to blog soon. Take care.
I love the black and white buildings 😊
Thanks Pete. Berkswell is a pretty little village. Good pub and church too. Not sure if you have been to the church - has a superb Norman crypt. May be in Simon Jenkins?
109 species of wild plants is really good - did you manage to ID all of them? Balsall looks full of interest but it's a shame about the rain as looking for those fungi would have been an interesting thing to do!
Miserable weather here too - autumn has well and truly set in and it seems so cold outside. I have new bulbs to plant up in big tubs but I don't want to go outside.... lol! Yet I was in shorts last week as we had 3 days of Indian Summer.
Thanks so much Mandy. Still have a few plant species to id. Son saw one growing on a bridge on a canal walk and I just cannot id it! Hopefully, there will be time to do a waxcap hunt somewhere this autumn. Been horrible here too with rain although today actually looks sunny atm!!!
Nook is a lovely name for a tea room :-)
CherryPie Thank you.
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