By the River

It was a long drive down to Berkshire for Mr P although we did stop half way for a rest and had our packed lunch and a flask of coffee.  Thankfully Mr P was able to rest his legs and hips when we arrived at our daughter's home.  A delicious evening meal awaited us and then our grandson came for a visit after work.  He wanted us to meet the newest member of our family and that was a joy.  Grandson is a landscape gardener who travels for his work all over Berkshire.  The evening visit gave his partner (who is still on maternity leave) a little space for herself that evening.  There'll be more photos of a family get together at their home another time.

Every day of our stay was full of activity. On the first morning we went to a big supermarket to get flowers to put on the family graves in the cemetery at Caversham Heights. It was a convenient stopping place in the supermarket car park just off King's Meadow.  Mr P stayed in the car and daughter D and I took a quick walk along the tow path by the river.  It always makes me happy to be reunited with the River Thames. 

A community of arty folk must live in the houseboats along this stretch of the river.  Some boats had been painted and decorated and others looked as if they were being restored or under wraps for the Winter.

Afterwards we went to Henley Road Cemetery on the other side of the river.  Our daughter visits when she can and tidies the graves in the oldest area of the cemetery which is a comfort.  We also took flowers to a newer area where Mr P's brother and wife are buried.

Crocuses are growing in the grass on my maternal grandparents' double plot.

Whilst we were that side of the river we popped into a garden centre so that our daughter could buy some trays of bedding plants (daisies and Winter pansies to plant in pots in her courtyard garden).

It's amazing what you can find in a garden centre these days!

We were very grateful that Daughter D drove us around the area although, of course, we know Berkshire well from our time living and working there.  Next time I'll post about my visit to one of my favourite places in my home town, my walk in the Forbury Gardens and more of our time away.  

Thank you for your visit.  I'll be back soon.  Have a good day!