Oakham and Tithe Green

 We made a slow start this morning – we none of us had much get-up-and-go!  The weather forecast was full of warnings of the jetstream pushing a depression across the country – it was beautiful for an hour or two, and then the clouds would move in.  We decided to risk it, and made for Oakham, in Rutland, for Gill and Steve’s favourite market stalls.  I got off a parcel to myself – things I didn’t want to have to squash into my suitcase. I may well get back before they do!

Oakham Castle - foundation is all original, roof is much newer!

Steve and I went for a quick visit to Oakham Castle – it’s a very small remnant of a very small castle, but well maintained. Ancient tradition holds that visiting peers present their host with a horseshoe on their first visit to Oakham, and they are hung on the wall, engraved with the name of the donor. No horse could use these horseshoes! - but they’re the right shape, just huge!

Steve in the castle gate

Rain threatened, and the place we were going for lunch was crammed, so we headed back to the car, and made our way to Cottesmore, which is one of the prettiest villages in the area – beautiful thatched roofs with rooftop figures. 

Thatched roof in Cottesmore - can't you tell this is hunting country?

We had a nice lunch at The Sun – and halfway though, the skies opened and we had the most incredible downpour – hail and thunder!  It was still raining a bit, but as we headed back to the A1 road, but we could see the enormous storm cell moving away to the north-east.  

memorial cherry tree

When we got home, the wind had got up quite a bit, but Steve offered to take me to Tithe Green, which is the place we put Mum’s ashes, and where we have a memorial tree for her and Dad. It’s a lovely place, small trees in long grass and surrounded by forest, so there’s a constant sound. The main pathways are mowed; the smaller ones to the trees are just beaten-down grass.  They would approve...

constant murmur from the forest around

We got back home and the miracles of technology meant I could enjoy the earlier women’s finals from Wimbledon – so exciting to see an unseeded player like Vondrousova come through, though I was sad for Jabeur.  And then the men's doubles and the wheelchair doubles.... So glad to be here for the finals!