This ‘Being outside is fun’ map has appeared outside the South Abingdon Children’s Centre. It has lots of ideas what to do … watch the clouds … play Pooh sticks … play in the rain … take a picture book and read with you child ….
The map shows where to find playgrounds, where to find ducks, and suggests blackberry picking.
There is no better time.
The second Choose Abingdon Local Excellence market took place today with 15 stalls. It is run much like a Farmers Market, so produce needs to be local. This new Saturday Market will be quarterly.
There tend to be quite a few free samples at these markets, like bits of cheese, and sips of beer. This group of cyclists are trying out an Oxfordshire brew.
This family farm from near Wallingford make sausages from their own pigs and were selling them cooked in buns.
I see there is a Harvest Thanksgiving service at St Nics today. Such thanksgivings are worldwide and very ancient. I expect they will be decorating the church building with baskets of fruit and food and then sharing it with those who might need it more. But not all of the harvest has been gathered in…
These apples, and about half as many again – still on the tree, are to be found by the BMX Track in South Town Parks – part of nature’s harvest that has not been picked but could well be pecked.
These elderberries were there a couple of weeks ago beside the River Ock – possibly already being brewed into wine or flavouring pies. But I’m sure enough escape to be dispersed by birds.
Nearby, Guelder Rose Berries, also known as drupes, stay on the tree longer – until the beginning of winter – when they provide birds with food.
The seeds of the cow parsley have no clever dispersal mechanism (via bird pooh) and usually fall and grow within a couple of feet of the parent plant. Lazy, but effective.