Wednesday.

 

Above photo is of another pargetted shop front in our High Street, this time above our local wine shop, which I regret to say has just closed down.
This morning pottered in workshop, then we had an early lunch, spaghetti bolognaise by special request of Freja, then drove into Ipswich, where the girls wanted to go to 'Toys R Us' to spend some of their Christmas money. Also spent considerable time wandering up and down aisles full of (to me) rather puzzling artifacts. Other things rather delightful - an elephant that, when its back was stroked, waved its trunk and trumpeted. Not clock work, as you might think, but battery powered. Also found, at the back of a shelf full of zoo animals, a rather dusty woolly mammoth (obviously old stock). Also found, among some mounted knights in armour, some plastic trebuchets - working, but I reflected that I've made better and more lethal ones, of wood and twisted rope (and they're still in service), for my grandchildren. Fascinating place.
We then dropped Ruth and the girls off at the 'bus station in the middle of Ipswich, from whence they were going to catch a 'bus to Victoria, in London, to spend a couple of days in London, at their Aunt Lizzie's (the girls' Aunt, that is- Ruth's sister).
On the way home we stopped off at a farm shop, where our favourite tea shop is. To our surprise it was crowded with people enjoying a late Christmas lunch. We ordered tea, coffee, and scones. Because the place was so crowded it was a while coming, and the young waiter came and apologised for the slight delay. We assured him that we were not in any hurry. When it came, it was, as always excellent, with butter, cream, and strawberry jam with the scones (which were nice and fresh). When I went to pay the reckoning the same young waiter told me that he had not charged for the scones to recompense us for the delay. I thanked him for this, told him that it really didn't matter, and then tipped him the amount that the scones would have cost us. It really is refreshing to find that level of service these days. Ann's just gone up to bed, so I must join her. Good night all.