Radley Lakes – December 2022

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The twelfth and final monthly visit to Radley Lakes was just after sunrise on a frosty morning with temperatures of minus 4.

The surface of Thrupp Lake was frozen near the road and in sheltered corners on the far side. The ice sheet had a blue-grey edge between grey ice and water.

Somebody had left some food, and gulls and ducks were hovering and squabbling there near a lookout area like a seaside promenade.

The hoar frost coated all the plants and grass at that early hour.

Puddles were frozen, as were the smaller lakes.

A Robin came and hopped around near me with feathers all puffed out.

Next year where shall I go for a monthly visit? So far, I have done Barton Fields, Abbey Fishponds and Radley Lakes.

New bottle shop and micro-bar opens

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The Cowshed,  a new bottle shop and micro-bar, opened yesterday in Stert Street, Abingdon.

They serve keg beer, bottled beer, artisan drinks, spirits, and soft drinks on the premises. They also function as an off license (prices are then less).

The shop and micro-bar have come together very quickly. The bar was only built on Wednesday, and some window pictures showing cows will appear shortly.

There should be another couple of businesses opening next week in Abingdon: a pizzaria on the 13th (on St John’s Road) and an Aldi supermarket on the 15th.

Vineyard Church Christmas Cafe

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Ten years ago, Mike Badcock gave me a Mayor’s award for writing the Abingdon Blog. Alice Badcock gave an award to Abingdon Monday Club, represented by Helen Ronaldson and Peter Knight, mentioned on the blog a couple of days ago. One person who has not got an award yet is Ray, who puts in so much work, unpaid, keeping Preston Road Community Centre going as well as the food bank. He asked whether I could publicise the Vineyard Church Christmas Cafe, and I am very happy to help – if it does help.

Ray also helps out with other volunteers, unpaid, at Preston Road bingo every Tuesday. It opens at 7 pm, eyes down at 8 pm and ends after the jackpot game at about 10 pm. For over twenty years, bingo profits have helped subsidise other community activities at the centre. Numbers have not returned to pre covid levels. And now it is an evening out for people but hardly makes a profit. So more people would be made very welcome.

Frosty Morning

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There was a frosty sunrise over the River Thames.

I photographed these two swans flying after a running takeoff.

Hoar frost covered branches of trees, leaves, hedgerows and the grass blades at Caldecott Recreation Ground

These pictures do not show all the cars trying to get to school or to work. I cannot remember seeing a queue so long of vehicles on Caldecott Road waiting to get onto Drayton Road.