George and Margaret, my parents in law, are staying for a few days. So I asked them to come back with views of Abingdon for the blog.

First is this Abingdon or Amsterdam? Not used to quite so many bikes in the hills of Cumbria.

George thought they were doing the drains but I know they are filling up with water for the blooms.

He saw these two with what looked like a long skipping rope. They were actually measuring up for a big lorry that’s coming in a week or two that may overhang the walkway.

George wondered whether this could be a horse park.

Also, George takes a pride in his bank, and is going to write to the HSBC bank to say he is disappointed how dirty the outside of their Abingdon building is compared to the one where he comes from in Cumbria.

I didn’t get to the Mostly Books event at the Amey Theatre last Saturday… But Mark said I could use any of his pictures…

These six authors were going to compete against each other to be saved from being eaten by the monster. The audience were to decide which author was doomed.

A Samarai style book reading followed.

Then an audience with author Robert Muchamore, seen here with Mark and Nikki.

For Much More about the event see An Amazing Day and Trapped By Monsters.

‘Access All Areas’ is The end of year show from the Foundation Art Course at Abingdon College. It’s on until Thursday (10am-7pm daily).

As every year it was good to see the creative development of the artists.

These are some of the more mature students – including my wife – who studied over two years as a part-time course. Most of the younger ones did it in one year studying full-time.

Just a few of the exhibits are displayed here…

Compulsive Cupcakes…

a cartoon room you can walk around…

Just one side of the argument painted on a wall. From the opposing side a woman is spewing out similar letters and words onto the VDU.

A historical bike tour round Abingdon happened today – at the end of Bike Week.

The route was round many older monuments but ended up at Radley Lakes – where we heard a graphic account of the Greenpeace occupation and the balaclava’d security men and the ousting of the spotted crested newts.

The battle of Radley Lakes will soon become a thing of myths.

On the way back to Abingdon we stopped at this ‘For Sale’ sign. The lake has been landscaped following gravel extraction and is near the Abingdon Science Park off the N5 Sustrans bike track.

Adkins have all the details. Its says ‘Suitable for a Range of Leisure and Environmental Activities’

Probably best to ask Adkins about that range before buying. But I would think Fly Ash Dumping and Mink Farming are out.