Bit early?

Walked into town today for a talk on H.G. Wells' mother who used to be a housekeeper at nearby Uppark. Wells, or Bertie as he was known, attended the school which used to be located in the building where we heard the talk, Capron House, as well as working at a chemist's shop, in Midhurst.

Mrs Wells was nearly destitute with a feckless husband and three boys when an old friend offered her the post of housekeeper at Uppark. She was not experienced in this role, having once had the quite different role of lady's maid, and she seems not to have been very good at the new job. She somehow managed until aged almost 70 when she was sacked. Luckily Bertie was coming into his own earning power by then, and supported her and the brother who was still at home, plus the feckless father. The best bit of the talk was that it included a cream tea!

All along the road we walk to town, holly is in berry. I'm surprised just how much there is. Lovely sight. Bit weird though as the weather is still really warm.