Thanks to David Rayner from Abingdon Walks for this picture and the next.
See more of his pictures and the big versions on his site .

The crowd included family members with this a ‘Daddy You’re My Hero’ banner.

Brigadier Chris Murray, the commander in chief of the Army Logistics Corps, gave an excellent speech welcoming the troops back from Afghanistan and thanking the people of Abingdon. Currently, he said, the troops are being shown more public support than at any time he could remember.

The Mayor and other dignatories presented medals.

Lt. Col. Nigel Allison then asked the Mayor whether they army could exercise the Freedom of the Town.

They were led by the band…

and marched in close formation with bayonets fixed.

At the BBC Oxford Stall, they were asking people to record a Christmas message for the troops still out there, and this one time soldier was very pleased to oblige. Thanks to Steve for most of the pictures.

Terry Wogan was in Abingdon signing copies of his Book ‘Where Was I?!’

I heard him say on BBC 2 National Radio in response to a listener’s comment “look forward to seeing you as well at Abingdon because I will be at the Abingdon Book Store at around 12:30 this afternoon and remember“… chuckling wogan fashion…” it is the rare unsigned ones that raise all the money but anyway I’m looking forward to seeing all my friends there.”“

So many thanks to Malvin Drakley, one of the friendly faces who help to serve at the Country Market, for sending me a couple of pictures of Sir Terry Wogan in The Book Store in Abingdon.

The crowds were big. They rivalled those of a Harry Potter launch.

(Next door to The Book Store you can see the sign where W H Smith are about to open up their new shop.)

I am told that my first joined up words were ‘There’s water!‘

I remember the excitement, travelling to the coast for our annual holiday, waiting for that first glimpse of the sea.

Living near the River Thames is no bad substitute.

Thanks to John for these pictures of the Christmas Market in St Michaels new Flexi-nave.

Councillor Alison Rooke, Chairman of the Vale, can be seen next to the hampers.

There is always a lot going on I miss. I missed Susan Hill at Mostly Books. But I can at least refer you to a number of bloggers who reported on the event: Gaskella , The Poet Laura-eate and Margaret from Bookworms were there.

I’m now trying to think of a way to get a picture of Terry Wogan, or even the queue, on Tuesday.