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I have just received this from my son so thought that some of you may like this
Bridget

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The Hospital of St Cross

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England's oldest and most perfect almshouse - quote from England's Thousand best Churches, by Simon Jenkins
Welcome to the Hospital of St Cross & Almshouse of Noble Poverty
Nestled in the water meadows alongside the River Itchen, in the shadow of St Catherine's Hill and only 20 minutes walk from the centre of Winchester, lies the unique Hospital of St Cross. Take a step back in history as you wander around the ancient medieval buildings that have provided food and shelter for hundreds of years. Rest for a while in the unique and peaceful Master's Garden. Visit the 12th century church and wonder at the decision to build such a large and beautiful building for just a handful of lowly residents. With luck during your visit you may even meet one of the resident Brothers, in his black or red gown and trencher hat, on his way to Matins or weekly Pay Parade - traditions that go back hundreds of years.
An important piece of medieval and religious history, this impressive masterpiece is a significant part of the tapestry of modern day tourism. It offers the discerning visitor a calm and contemplative insight into an erstwhile tradition of communal care, customs and hospitality - and exemplifies the peaceful co-existence of church and secular life in bygone days.
The Hospital, which is England's oldest continuing almshouse, comprises a group of grade I listed medieval and Tudor buildings, including a medieval hall and tower, Tudor cloister, Norman church and gardens reflecting a seventeenth century connection with North America. The term "Hospital", in this context, has the same origin as "hospitality" and for over 850 years St Cross has provided food and shelter to people in need. It has been home to the Master and Brethren of St Cross since medieval times and today visitors can still receive the Wayfarer's Dole (a small beaker of beer and a morsel of bread). During summer months, further refreshments are obtainable from the tearooms, situated in the "Hundred Mens Hall", built on the site where, in ages past, up to a hundred poor men received a daily ration of food.

The church of St Cross from the lake
The Beaufort tower and Brethren's Hall
Website created by letshaveabreak.com

If you would like to see more just google the name of the church.

Maybe we could start another thread about wonderful old buildings or something similar

21.27 Spain

A very quick not just to let you all to know that we are home, tired, still in awe of the amazing blessing of Marriage and what a setting.
A very big THANK YOU to everyone who has kept this going whilst I have been away.
Back to UK in June for nephews wedding in Bath on the 3rd June and then I think that I will be ready to simply sit by the pool!
Well eyes are drooping so night, night


13.07 hrs Spain

Welcome back to the thread Mary. I am sorry to hear about your Mum, that will be a great worry for you. Although the gallstones don't seem to be doing her much harm if she can still eat well like that. Good luck to her with the specialist. And also to your son, hopefully that was just a blip, still more worry for you though. Brrrr I am sure the sea was cold, it is still early.

GF soup sounds nice and what alovely present for your daughter of the table flowers.

I have planted up three baskets today and also put the three hostas I bought at the garden show in tubs, they can stand on the slate of the hosta bed instead of putting them in the ground, the snails are easier to control then. I also planted up the three basils in my herb pots, plus planting on some young basil plants I have. Then I organised OH as to where he had to put bedding begonias, large begonias and three Heuchera, he planted the clematis we bought yesterday and also this afternoon he planted four fuchsias in tubs and an ostiospernum

Hi everybody,

haven't we all been a busy lot. Took my friend out to lunch and then on to the hotel where daughter is getting married. Pam is doing the flowers for the table etc and feels more confident now having seen the rooms. She is doing it as their wedding present which is lovely of her...daughter calles her Nanny Pam which she loves. We had lovely soup at the restaurant stilton and broccoli nearly as good as mine !!! Also made two bakewell tarts in long trays, one to cut up for our churchs fete and the other for a Benefice meal at the end of this month, my contribution. My bad hip has played up today roll on June 6th when I go in for a replacement..

Mole back in garden, haven't seen one for ages, but Arnie is back, they are all called Arnie, blessed things, just in the lawn after OH cut it !!

Will try the carrot idea

see you all tommorrow

5.00pm Norfolk

Hi All - I am back after ages. Since coming back from UK end of March I have not been very sociable - sorry. I have been and still am worried about my mom. In the last couple of weeks she has had a chest xray which showed a shadow behind her heart . she then had a scan which showed gall stones and a collapsed lung. She is now waiting to go and see a specialist. Bless her she was 88 on Friday and my sister took her out for lunch - she told me she had steak, chips, peas and a little salad and then they shared a pavlova. Still got her appetite.
Then a week ago our youngest son came out for a week - his bomb shell was on the Thursday before he came out he was taken into hospital - his heart was racing and he was kept in over night and he too is waiting to see a specialist. He was ok while he was here so just hoping nothing much to worry about. During his week's stay he did pass a couple of compliments - the first was he did not know how I coped working full time and looking after the family and the house. The second was he thought that me and his dad looked good !! Aw bless.
Anyway, today I have cleaned downstairs thoroughly as it did not get done last week. Washing machine doing load number 3 and the rest on the line drying for ironing tomorrow.
Before I forget had our first dip in the sea this year on Sunday and boy was it cold someone forgot to put the water heater on !! Still it was very refreshing.
Had a couple of bbq's last week and a couple of meals out which was very enjoyable.
Hope you are all keeping well
Take care
Love Mary xx

No problem, they are small carrots of course and sometimes I pick them really tiny and gently steam them.

Wll probably try that Ann. Less bending and I can keep it near the house.

Thanks for letting me know.

Tess for a couple of years and trying again this year I have grown baby carrots in a trough (like a window box - plastic. They have been quite successful and easy to grow.

Caught up reading all the posts again.
Was rather tired last Monday and Tuesday. In fact I didn't go shopping as planned on Tuesday as too drained of energy.
Have been busy since then though!

Wedneday a G.P appointment, just my annual one for a medicine review.
Then into The Central Library in town to get books for Ann's readers group.
Thursday Into town again in the morning, for a pedicure and to have my eyebrows shaped at the college.
In the evening, went to my sisters for tea, and then to the Ladies Group of the Warley Male Choir.
Had a talk about Arthritis ... did you know that there are around three hundred different types.

There is an advice centre in central library. So will be paying a visit soon.

Friday 13th My Aunty (by marriage) was 101.
Sis and I went to see her. She lives in her own home, with her son. Is able to cook for herself. Still going great guns.
We saw a few members of the family, it was good to catch up and have a chat.

Saturday morning, I had to go shopping, as food supplies were running low (due to not going on tuesday).
Special bus came just after 8 am, so I had to be up early.

Have been rather tired again since then.

Have got some good news ... at last I have had some birds (blue-tits) eating from the bird feeder! They have been coming for a few days. Eaten all of one feeder ball, part of another and some seeds.
Have just put some more balls out and some fresh water.
Tomorrow, the fence man should be coming. It will be great to have my back garden fence and gate in place. Looking forward to it.

Bridget, I hope everything went well for you and the family at the blessing.

An, Berona, Val and Greenfingers you all seem to have been very busy, especially in the garden.
I am a complete novice so might be back asking for advice.

Now thinking of growing carrots instead of potatoes. Haven't been happy with carrots bought locally for some time. They are often wet!!!

All for now,

T

Yes Annin Glos the weather has got colder today, its a bit of a culture shock after all the lovely weather we have had, still if you have had rain too it will help the plants. I am sure Bridgets sons blessing went well, and she was probably a blubbing mess, I know I will be when our daughter gets married in about 10 weeks

5.55pm Norfolk

Berona, 17 is positively balmy to us. Quite a bit cooler than that at the moment as we still have a cold wind.

Hope all went well for Bridget and family yesterday.
GF OH is currently out in the garden huddled into a fleece preparing a few more hanging baskets for me to fill with plants in the week. I am hoping for at least one warmish day. :-) :-) ;-)

Morning everyone from Norfolk UK

Just bought Kings Speechh, not watched it yet. I lived din London when our Queen had her coronation and watched the procession, it was magical

Had more rain yesterday, but managed to go out into the garden again, looking better all the time. Nothing much to say today just a quiet Sunday

Thought of you yesterday Bridget I am sure it all went well

XX.

It's a quiet Sunday here, cloudy and cool.

I thoroughly enjoyed the King's Speech Berona. When I was a younger we were part of the Commonwealth and God Save the King used to be played at the end the film at what we then called bioscopes, to-day they are referred to as the movies.

We are also going into winter here, I prefer the colder weather the summers are just too hot for me.

We have Municipal elections here on Wednesday which will be a Public Holiday. There are going to be endless queues so I am expecting to spend quite some time standing around.


Val.

8.30 a.m.

Nothing much to report. Still can't use my mobile because I am waiting for a new simcard. That's what was wrong with it. The other one was 'old hat'. I take the landline extension to bed with me in the meantime.

I'm now going to watch The King's Speech. It was part of my present for our Mother's Day, last Sunday. I remember the King well - and also I remember singing God Save the King each morning at assembly, before going in to our classrooms. We had a very loyal headmistress!

A few days ago, our temperatures dropped suddenly, and although still around 17, a cold south-westerly wind made it seem much colder than it really was. This has continued and reminds us that winter is on its way (1st June). It's also a time to plant our bulbs, which we have kept in the fridge for 2 to 3 weeks until the soil is ready for them. Winter woollies are coming out now.

I know 17 doesn't seem cold to UK people - but when you are used to temps being 26 to 40 for six months, and very little wind - it's a bit hard to take a sudden drop like that.

Beeen thinking of you to-day Bridget, hope you all had a lovely day.



Val.

16.56

Had more rain today, just after OH put in all the plants that we had from Crocus and the local garden centre where we had coffee and an early snack lunch..

Garden beginning to look really great.

I finally had confirmation of my op today and unless cancelled will be going in on June 6th it cannot come soon enough , I am so tired of being in pain !!

Went in to local florists and order my daughters wedding bouquet and one for the bridesmaid (my lovely neice) so another step forward.

Night all will close now and finish watching Murdoch...Ohhh Yannick Bisson, if you haven't watched this series its very good, even without Yannick !

Regards 7.45 pm Norfolk UK

Greenfingers, sounds good. Shall be spending money on plants tomorrow no doubt. As long as it doesn't rain we are going to the Malvern Spring Garden show. Always an excellent day out so we are looking forward to it. Not cheap any more though, plants the same price as shops mainly but a lot more choice with specialist growers.

Just popping in to say good morning, nothing to write about today. It is a quiet morning here.

Alnnin Glos

Only just had time to write today, as had plants delivered 2 new geraniums and 2 euphorbias from a company called Crocus if you live in the UK you can find them online. Only ordered Sunday, arrived today. Well packaged and in beautiful condition have also had 2 trees which arrived promptly. Delivery of £5.99 for however many you order. With the trees the size was such that we couldn't get them in the car, and local delivery from Garden centres is exhorbitant. Lots of info on site and plants listed alphabetically with good photos I have become a fan !!

Have had some rain today but not enough to make a difference

See you all tommorrow X :D

I like the perrenial geraniums (Cranesbill) as well GF. Although in the past couple of years we have dug one or two up because they were taking over the garden and were too big for it (both height and spread).

Berona, maybe your subconscious was thinking it was going to miraculously recover!