Hi Banburyshire Friends, Answering the plaintive queries----- I am here! And perhaps you will wish that I wasn't, as I've thought up a little memory, to help keep things ticking over, on the list! A few things contributed to this. Firstly my daughter had changed the background to my desktop to a beautiful Autumn woodland scene. Then my brother mentioned that he was ferrying his wife to a work-related course at Redditch and was going to take the rural route from Bedworth, via Hampton-in-Arden.This was enough to set me off! Autumn has always been my favourite time of the year, probably dating from my Training College days on Kingston Hill, Surrey, (1949-51). One of the associated houses backed onto Richmond Park and we often roamed through there, admiring the vistas and the deer. Trees abounded on Kingston Hill, as the wide road in those days was lined with mansions and substantial residences; all with extensive grounds.At weekends my friends and took the bus or walked in Surrey, or along the Thames riverside path.This time of year was indescribably glorious---and the weather was perfect! My memory, that I am about to relate, took place in Autumn 1953, if I remember rightly. During the half term holiday, longer by tradition because of the potato harvest, Auntie Florrie and I went to stay with a lady, who took paying guests, only on recommendation. She lived in a pleasant house in the Tanworth-in-Arden area. We were were "in clover", as she was a wonderful cook. I had never seen such tasty and imaginative food whipped up with such speed and little effort! This was where I tasted Lemon Meringue Pie for the first time, as in the cities, austerity had still not left us.It remains a favourite to this day. We enjoyed strolling the leaf strewn lanes of this pretty area of Warwickshire. Our hostess also took us around with her and we met some of her friends. It was all so hospitable and enjoyable. Then we were invited to a fund-raising W.I. Social Evening.To our delight we saw an entirely different face of England to that which we normally experienced. The venue was the little church school with its gothic windows and the inside was divided into two classrooms, by a concertina partition, which slid back. For this occasion the partition was rolled aside and the desks were stacked by the wall. In the Infant side this was 16 desks--which had me envious, as my own class at that time numbered 53 five year olds! We had such a lovely time that evening and were made to feel so welcome in the warmth of that gathering, where the age-old village activities still centred around the church and the school, and everyone knew each other. I enjoyed it all, but it is only now , in retrospect, and with so many changes happening over the years that I truly appreciate this glimpse into the traditional order of things. One of my very favourite books, given to me in 1951, and which has travelled the world with me, was a copy of Dora Saint's "Village School", which she wrote under the pseudonym of "Miss "Reed". Opening it I am immediately transported to a school, similar to the one I visited. The slow procession of the Seasons, School Terms and Church calendar produces the effect of timelessness and calm.The amusing happenings which the teacher happened to see but not remark upon, has happened to us all. It is one of the "perks" of the job, and amusing to note that the culprits think that they are unobserved! This is a book I read if I am feeling stressed or frazzled. It always works its magic, as do the memories of those delightful Autumnal holiday experiences. I hope that you don't mind me sharing this with you-----as this is one of my most treasured memories of my past, and my Homeland. Regards, Muriel.

Muriel what a marvellous memory... you managed through your words to paint a perfect picture for us to 'see'. Thank you for sharing it with us Best Wishes Mo --------------------------------- ALL-NEW Yahoo! Messenger - all new features - even more fun!