
Changes are afoot at the large Tesco superstore in Abingdon. Parking will continue to be free for three hours but after that there will be a £70 car park charge. There is also 25% off everything at the Garden Centre.

The Garden Centre is closing down.

It has not appeared a core part of the business for some time and has been allowed to run down.

The garden centre would have been closed anyway as part of an enlargement of the main store – a scheme which did not get planning permission, but now it is closing anyway. Perhaps it will just allow more car parking space. Anybody know?
All quiet on the West St Helen Street front

Work began on Monday morning to resurface West St Helen Street. For a time there was two way traffic on what is normally a one way street. The road was done in sections. Monday was from the church to just below St Helens Court.

Tuesday they did most of the road up to Lombard Street.

Today, Wednesday, they did just the top bit. So apart from needing lines it looks complete.
Traffic might be flowing again normally if people knew the road has re-opened, but as they don’t, it is all quiet on the West St Helen Street front.
Crowds cheer in David Walliams at Abingdon Lock

When we arrived at Abingdon Lock a large crowd had already begun to gather to support TV personality, and charity-challenge-taker, David Walliams – who is attempting to swim 140 miles of the River Thames over 8 days.

On this the second day of the challenge, David started at dawn to make up for 2 miles lost yesterday. The press boat came in about 20 minutes before David, and filmed some crowd scenes before it got dark.
It was dark when David finally swam through to Abingdon Lock at 20:20. Alongside were, canoes and another swimmer for moral support. He had made up the lost miles by doing 20 miles today.

Not quite 20:20 vision but it is difficult to get pictures over a large crowd . Wrapped up from the cold, David Walliams starts off again from Abingdon to Goring tomorrow soon after 7 am.
You can make donations to Sports Relief and follow his progress on this link.
3 for 2 Baby Event

Monday is market day in Abingdon. It may not show in this particular picture but market day is the busiest shopping day in Abingdon. The shops join in by trying to grap people’s attention with bright colours and offers.

Boots, for example, has a ‘3 for 2 Baby Event‘. I wonder what that is all about.