Ditch and Giant Lego

Ditch and Giant Lego
M reports that a deep ditch and bank have appeared at the gap in the tree line just west of Chanterelle Way play area, blocking access to the field path to Mill Road.

He says it does not look like utility works as it does not connect with anything. People are still getting through but it is very slippery in the wet conditions.
Ditch and Giant Lego
Also giant Lego bricks have appeared along Mill Road blocking vehicle access into the fields.

I would add that there was an unauthorised encampment in September on the field next to Mill Road. It could be that the land owners are trying to stop further encampments. The land owners, and local people, may well know better.

Wootton Road tree cutting and archaeological surveys

Wootton Road Tree Cutting and Archaeology
A couple of weeks ago there was a report on this blog about some contractors opening up access to the new development of 200 dwellings alongside the Wootton Road. Their orange digger can be seen in the background of this picture. In the foreground, in the Circus Field, a yellow digger is making ditches – probably for archaeology reports.
Wootton Road Tree Cutting and Archaeology
Meanwhile a lot of the trees, that have been a feature of the Wootton Road entrance into Abingdon, are being cut down.
Wootton Road Tree Cutting and ArchaeologyLooking at the access design plans (https://data.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/java/support/Main.jsp?MODULE=ApplicationDetails&REF=P20/V2254/DIS#exactline) it can be seen that about half the trees were planned to be removed.

The existing entrance to the field has already been built up and will be used until a new entrance is built at the place where most of the trees have been removed.

Rain, sunshine, and intermittent showers

Bright Sun
This Sunday morning started off wet and windy.
Bright Sun
Then the sun came through. Lots of people were enjoying the sunshine, seen here as a dazzling white from Margaret Brown Gardens
Bright Sun
and blue sky and water looking back from Wilsham Road.
Bright Sun
There was a notice on a capsized boat that said the owner was aware. They did not need telling again. So not everybody was enjoying today.
Bright Sun
A line of pigeons on the Wilsham Road railings came down as a flock. They kept jostling and trying to find the best position. Some flew off again in search of something better.

Later on, the sky clouded over, and there were intermittent showers.

Follow the Pied Piper

Pied Piper
This picture shows the corner of Broad Street and Queen Street on this wet and windy Sunday morning. It shows the tall side of Peacocks – previously the Somerfield / Co-op supermarket.
Pied Piper
The Pied Piper restaurant was on this site – run by Mr and Mrs Gough. They served coffee and cakes and cream teas in the early 1960s. It is a matter of regret that such a fine building was demolished.
Pied Piper
This post card (printed for S & S Stationery Co Ltd., Oxford) shows the beamed interior. The previous picture came from Abingdon and surrounding areas facts and history on Facebook. I don’t know where they got it.

Peacocks are to close. Time will tell, what will follow.