A new monthly auction started today at Preston Road Community Centre. It is run by the same group who do the auction at Drayton. The profits go to charity.

In the window of a local Off-Licence, Foster’s (AKA the Amber Nectar) is on offer .

At the top end of the park, near Prince Albert, the bin was full to overflowing with empty cans.
Even a long way away on the rise up Fitzharry’s Motte, a lone straggler could be seen.

Under the arch by the church…

for between the Abbey Vale cricket grounds and the river, a tree has fallen

and shortly afterward a neighbouring tree also fell. Their roots shared the same ground. They leaned together through many a cold winter. They fell together just before leafy spring.

Nearby the daffodils are still in flower

and everything is alright with the world. As Auden might have put it:

“… In Abingdon’s Rookery for instance: how everything turns away
Quite leisurely from the disaster; as two trees fall
The daffodils dance gayly on, hardly noticing a momentary shudder,…”