We walked miles in our boots ; let's walk a mile in the refugees' shoes

Having walked miles along the Thames in Henley last week, both of us had to bin our boots which fell apart on the same day after 14 years of good use ; they didn't owe us anything! Literally the soles of one pair and heels of the other pair came away on the final leg of the walk- at the same time ! Spooky.

Undeterred, walking has continued but in shoes not boots. 

On Saturday we explored into West Sussex and visited the River Adur at Upper Beeding where we brambles before setting off to visit the church in the village of Washington. An early 13century North arcade and Tower remain; the rest is nineteenth century.

St Mary's Church, Washington 

Again we found a family tomb from 1600 - only six children this time ( see last week) .

 We then visited the Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve and due to the rain had to devour our for a picnic in the car, before exploring the heathland and finding this Oak and Silver Birch in an embrace .

We were on our way to see the performance of a Jerome K Jerome play near Petersfield , and whilst it was performed and produced by amateurs , it was wholly professional in its quality - acting, singing, direction . And despite being written in 1911, it's topicality - the role and enfranchisement of women- was striking . Here let me put in a plug for the new BBC2 series " the Ascent of Woman" by Dr Amanda Foreman. 

Back to the theme of walking. On Sunday I spotted birds on the beach that I did not recognise.

Their camouflage is exquisite . Having put out a call for assistance on Twitter I was soon rewarded by RSPB advice - these were Turnstones - beautiful , not uncommon , yet easily missed. 

Turnstones in flight 

Not content with a Hove walk, we ventured on Sunday afternoon to Alfriston and discovered it was a festival day , with bunting ,stalls and visitors .....and we enjoyed a very fine traditional tea shop tea. 

Alfriston church and Green

But Monday's walking was Hove again. One of the joys of living by the sea is the ever changing seascapes. And with full moon have come very low tides .Monday evening was extraordinarily low.

Merry and I could not resist. We just had to paddle down to the shore and join the lugworm hunters .

And Tuesday was more of the same, though with a red sky promising so much for the midweek.

Our clear beaches and beautiful skies are such a delight and indeed Wednesday offered a beautiful morning for the second day of September .

And whilst we have been enjoying long deep clear beaches and big colourful skies for happy dog walking , elsewhere in Europe quite a different scene has been played out on our screens and newspaper front pages. We have seen the heartbreaking sight of a lifeless three year old washed up on a Turkish beach. We have heard the horrific testimony of a mother of three, a teacher , with her family , fleeing Homs in Syria, a City quite physically decimated by conflict. This family of five has travelled through many countries , risking everything , seeking safety and a worthwhile life . You can listen to the R4 Today interview here : http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p031k44r-it's six powerful minutes long. 

Let's walk a mile in their shoes . Lets have empathy . Let's take action to play our part in a humanitarian effort to enable children, mothers and fathers escaping war and fear, to find some comfort and welcome and to contribute. There'll be blue skies over......

Appreciating what we have got

ILeaving the bright,sunny weather of Spain on Saturday , it was quite a surprise to find Hove similarly bathed in sunshine on Sunday . Can you spot the difference? 

Villajoysa near Alicante - Saturday 22/8 /15

    Hove seafront, Sunday 23/8/15

But in so many ways ,it's the weather inside that counts . And the weather inside for me is bright, optimistic, focussing on the horizon and appreciating what I have - family, friends and opportunity. 

 Oh and I mustn't forget the pets ! They were pleased to see us again and have spent a lot of time curled up inside whilst the rains of the week have lashed us, between occasional  glimpses of sunshine.

Eartha Kitt the cat 

Merry the dog 

Appreciating what we have was brought into sharp relief last weekend by the awful Shoreham Airshow disaster which saw a jet fall out of the sky onto the A27 killing at least eleven people and causing devastation to the lives of so many more. The response from the community and the public services has been magnificent . Unfortunately public service does not enjoy the esteem that it had when I left University and was congratulated for setting out on the path to becoming a Social Worker . Yet the contribution of local government staff, Police service and role of the NHS to our wellbeing,safety and sound health is vital ....and not just in high profile emergencies . It's gratifying to see some advocates of these under-sung professionals .  One true supporter is Jenny Molloy  (who tweets as @HackneyChild) ,  whose latest book "Neglected:True stories of Children's Search for Love in and out of the Care System " has just entered the Top 5 bestsellers this week. Jenny knows what she is talking about and offers a valuable ( and valuing) perspective on the role and challenges of Social Workers. 

Chief constable ,Giles York , adds flowers to the burgeoning  Shoreham Tollbridge memorial 

This week has been one for reflecting on the past and more importantly planning for the future as I  update my CV and consider my Linked-In profile . I have had a number discussions about interesting future assignments and opportunities, and I am working on what's important to me and how I can best make use 40 years of public service and leadership , including 11 years in Chief Executive roles . I want to continue to have a positive impact as well as making more time for family, travel,art and writing. 

Over the past two days we have taken our van to the quintessentially English town of Henley , to walk and visit my sister . The rains have given a lushness to the countryside and our walk along the river to Hambleden  was a delight. 

Swans and five almost full grown signets. 

 

The former home of  Kenneth Grahame, author of Wind in the Willows - the house provided the basis for Toad Hall 

From the grounds of Henley Business School

One of the intriguing delights of the walk was the sight of numbers of Red Kites. I only know now for sure that that's what they were. At the time, it seemed so unlikely. But my sister confirmed the sightings and explained that following reintroduction to the area , they have bred and flourished. 

They are magnificent. Moving mainly in pairs they soared and swirled above us , dozens of them. Try as we might , we could not get a decent photo. We resolved to have a good camera with us next time! As ever, the Internet saves the day! 

       Inadequate picture of a Red Kite above 

RSPB website pictures of majestic Red Kites - that's what they looked like! 

A decent walk deserves a decent lunch and the Stag &Huntsman at Hambleden obliged with a delicious seafood salad .  Packed on a Thursday lunchtime with a mix of locals and visitors, we enjoyed our tasty sojourn and picked up all sorts of snippets . Local politicians are clearly active - an enthusiastic local councillor sat nearby extolling the importance and enjoyment of the Planning Committeee! Visitors obviously enjoyed the hospitality of a proper pub in this quaint red brick village. 

Hambleden Parish Church 

After lunch, the church beckoned . A lovely simple church with a array of ancient  tombstones in the Churchyard and some impressive stone memorials within. The most impressive was to the memory of Cope D'Oyley d1633 and his wife Martha d1618 who are commemorated with their 10 children (5girlsand 5boys) . Cope was Deputy Lieutenant of Oxfordshire. 

The D'Oyley family from 1633

And in the Church porch we were brought back to the present with a jolt , with the Lost & Found notice! 

Our family meals together were lovely - one out at the Villa Marina in Henley and one at home where the garden of the little terraced house is a blaze of colour from flowers and tomatoes. Both my sister and I are blessed with partners who have become enthusiastic and very able gardeners. We appreciate them and the results they produce! 

This is our garden in July - I didn't take pic of the sister's garden - a big oversight! 

Back home after a surprisingly good journey on the M roads of southern England there is a lot to be thankful for- not least of all a bowl of apples from our tree! 

Team work

"Only you could make team work the theme of a family week in the sun in Spain " declares my 23year old daughter! We are enjoying a villa-with-pool holiday to relax and warm and treat her, a hardworking soul,  to give her a break away from London and work. 

The planning, booking, packing, parking, plane, car hire, villa, pool, welcome pack all come together as a result of team work..... Much of it very last minute!  

Altea seafront 

Once in holiday mode, we encounter team work every step of the way. It starts with our neighbours caring for Eartha the cat ( not an especially rewarding task) . More satisfyingly for them, our friends take in Merry the dog. When recognising teams we must not forget the holiday company, the restaurants, the communal refuse service, and our own domestic arrangements. My navigator role in our team is a challenge and I sometimes fall short of expectations! 

Calpe

Despite navigation errors we visit the seaside including Calpe where we are unable to snap a picture of the visiting flamingos. And we explore  the mountains of Costa Blanca and wonder at the views and sheer amount of weather ! 

En route to Guadelest 

The Bell tower , Guadelest - just before torrential rains 

From Guadelest 

In the the castle at Guadelest we find art, and I wonder if this artist was influenced by Euan Uglow or indeed , my brother,Piers Ottey! 

Liam Manuel Perez 1995 

But despite the lure of mountains , beach and a beautiful cobbled whitewashed village, the lure of a readily accessible pool has proved too much on several days . We have sunned, swum and played ball in the pool. Some days we have not ventured further. 

 We have read and played GinRummy .  Jenny Eclair's "Moving " has been enjoyed by P and me. Alice Munro's last book," Dear Life"  is a good recommendation by H. And the music of Nina Simone, Madeleine Peryoux and other favourites has serenaded our evenings in, followed by late night swims. 

We have eaten tasty home cooked meals ' en famille ' using local fresh ingredients- Spanish omelette , fresh sea bass ,tuna and chickpea salad,local avocado,plums and melon  all hitting the spot. And we have enjoyed Tapas and Paella in restaurants . 

You can't beat home cooking - team work!

I have kept in touch with the world through my downloaded Grauniads and Twitter. This has included booking an H recommended show coming from Edinburgh Fringe to the Btighton Dome in September - Fake it 'Til You Make it -Bryony Kimmings  and Tim Grayburn. Team work once more .

And the GCSE results have come out and the improvement is evidenced and encouraging and I see a tweet from a headteacher acknowledging the teamwork across city schools and with the Local Authority. I am just a little bit proud. I am delighted for young people their hard working teachers and long suffering parents and carers . I am happy on behalf of all those creating the conditions for progress - politicians, managers, public authorities working for young people to be safe and healthy (Police,NHS,voluntary organisations) . We do not achieve on our own. Team work, collaboration, working together, call it what you will, that's what produces good outcomes - happiness, fulfilment, clean neighbourhoods. 

Altea - old city 

Coming back to the subject of holidays , clearly team work is vital for happy holidays! Oh and it helps to have a pool , good wine, company , iPod and dock; WiFi; a deck of cards and a pile of books (or/and Kindle)....  sunshine and a warm breeze and blue skies.  Finally the week would not have been the same without H whistling away . This has provoked us to look up Whistling Jack Smith on YouTube - do it ! You'll be delighted! 

Creativity

Creativity is a mindset, a behaviour more than a skill. This week I have concentrated on mothering, daughtering  and partnering and bringing creativity into all three. 

So whilst enjoying almost a week in the company of my eldest , watching cricket ( what a phenomenal test at Trent Bridge ),football, walking the dog and appreciating art, I decided to get baking. I was spurred on by over- ripe bananas and an excellent recipe from Dan Lepard's"Short and Sweet "; sorry Mary Berry! 

Butterscotch banana cake

This tasty creation pleased not just the son, but the father. My dad is now coming for regular restorative stays. Alone after caring for my stepmother through Alzheimers until her death on Valentine's Day this year , he needs opportunities for a good feed, relaxing dog walking and time with the family.  

A sunny Saturday walk along Hove seafront offered exercise, company and a creative photo opportunity!

Father and daughter - Hove seafront 

And on Sunday a tasty convivial family lunch gathering near Arundel and a lovely walk at Climping provided more joy for my dad . It provided a cheffing opportunity for my very creative brother ( more usually being creative with his paint brush and easel or in his motorbike workshop ) .

Piers Ottey - Battersea Power Station- 2014 

 It provided dad with the time for connecting with, and learning about, the lives of his grown up grandchildren.  We all  enjoyed a roast lunch in the open air .  The treat was completed with a walk created to include the sea and shore,  sun-dappled woods and golden harvested wheat fields - a Sussex best. 

Fields by Climping 

The return of my partner from her own family duties in Norfolk, threw up another opportunity for creativity. On Tuesday she was straight up to the allotment to bring home the produce . As well as red cabbage and Cavallo Nero , she brought back pounds of ripening plums . 

So I set to jam making and the results are very tasty indeed. 

Plum jam - BBC Good Food recipe (online) 

And to complete the homage to creativity , I planned a return visit to the Royal Academy Summer exhibition on Thursday evening, taking advantage of a Members BBQ invitation.

We were not disappointed to see once more the exhibits we had especially liked and to look afresh at some we had not dwelt on last time. 

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 

Grayson Perry remains a delight .

And I still love the staircase . 

Today it was the turn of Alex at Dogs corner , Hove, to get creative. Faced with our little dog's overlong coat, he carefully and creatively cut and washed her coat , doing a lovely job. 

The result speak for itself - a beautiful and happy Merry!

Merry shows off her coat ! 

Amidst all this creativity, I'm planning for the future . I will not rush - there's another pot of jam on the stove! And was that the sun I glimpsed a bit earlier? Enjoy the week.