Woodpeckers and HerbSusan

We were delighted when fellow blipper HerbSusan decided she would like to come to visit us for the first time here in Stroud. It was arranged some weeks ago, and the first arrangement had to be postponed but today she arrived by train from Oxford.

I met up with them at the Black Books cafe where we had a small lunch and time to chat about our backgrounds. I had been busy at home doing chores and a bit of work planning for another big meeting set for next week. Tomorrow I am going away to Dorset for two nights to visit my old friend Patrick H. and then on to Exeter on Friday morning, where I am attending a day long workshop about raising money for renovation of old buildings. It is being organised by Stroud Preservation Trust but luckily I haven't had to do any of the arranging.

Helena took Sue to visit an art exhibition about the Slad valley which was being held in the town council's 'village hall' Lansdown Hall and Gallery. This is an ongoing project for the town council which I have been very involved with for four years, and we are about to begin the third tranche of improvement works which will continue for the next six months, off and on.

I went to collect the car and then we all drove out of Stroud up the Slad valleyso we could show the beautiful landscape to Sue. We went up to Bulls Cross and Sheepscombe, before turning across the valley to Painswick and then on to park near Painswick Beacon, which we then ascended. It was lovely to be out in the fresh air and to look out across the Severn Vale towards Wales. On the way up towards the hill fort where the Beacon is sited, Woodpeckers showed her camera to HerbSusan so that she could try it out as she is considering getting a new smaller camera, which would be easier to carry.

Then we hurried back down to the car and headed down small single lane back roads across the rolling escarpment hills down to Stroud town, where the 17-04 train awaited her. It was a short but very sweet visit, and I'm so glad we met. I'm sure we will do so again, hopefully both here and there, whether in Oxford or Cornwall, or anywhere blippers congregate for fun.