Sunday 11 June 2023

I Am Only Making One Post Today,

as yesterday I took so many photographs,


so no change there then!

Diana was going to work, 

I made my way to the station, meeting Frank on the way,

the up line to London looking crowded,

before I crossed the bridge to join it, I could not have planned it better, the train a tad late so I caught the 12.10,

I was soon at Herne Hill, 

and crossing the road,

looking back a mural on a building,

and this is where I was heading the Lambeth Country Show,

looking back to the station,

I was early, the show did not open until 1.00 in the afternoon, so I decided to wait in the shade of a tree,

the queue grew, 

so I decided to join it, thinking was glad that I brought my hat, the sun was merciless,

in no time I was walking towards the bag search,

the sky line dominated by this fearsome ride,

once inside the enclosure there were plenty of isles to enter the search area,

the first ride Diana and Kai's favourite, that they both experienced the last time we went to a fair,

a regular at fairgrounds,

and this video above shows the big one in action, not for me I am afraid to say!

I made my way past the entrance,

and huge stage,

I pity the neighbours!

but the good news is that the shows finishes at 9.00 in the evening,

opposite the stage,

a huge broadcasting suite, 

the bar, one of many with no queues at all,

a favourite of Diana and myself, the Wall of Death, 

as it happens we saw them so long ago in September 2010,

the show was huge, with so many stalls,

with here all manner of handicrafts,

rows of them,

I continued walking towards another group of rides,

there were at least three areas where rides were available,

and in the distance,

a circus,

there were also a number of specialist bars here like this cider one,

I passed more stalls,

there was also a car show here, just 20 or so cars on display,

all looking immaculate, my favourite?

this one a Jensen Interceptor

this one with its louvered bonnet the much sort after SP version,

I would just love this one,

each area had its own sign,

to make finding the stall easy,

all of these, 

with clothes, 

from various countries around the world,

lots to chose from,

in lots of colours,

this area know as Darcus Howe Street, 

lots more clothes,

the fast Village Market,

the good news was that there was lots of shaded seating for drinkers and eaters,

the ride in the distance,

now into another food and drinks area,

all of these individual bars in a line,

with these,

some of the food stalls,

more popular than others,

although I had breakfast I fancied a Indian meal, as it happens Diana has cooked me a huge curry for me when I return this evening,

I walked over to the mobile food section,

with all manner of vehicles, 

converted into selling food or drinks,

this one looking more than up to any job,

fish and chips anyone?

if you want to look for them on Sunday they are in Charlie Chaplin Walk,

I continued my visit,

passing more cloths stalls,

and rides,

by now it was getting busy,

but there was still no huge queues at the bars as I was expecting,

in this marquee kids were introduce to all manner of interesting subjects, science, astronomy, fossils, you name it, great fun,

and out side soapy water and wands to make bubbles,

and what kid could resist 'Have a Go at Medieval Activities' complete with swords!

also a exhibit on conservation,

featuring a turtle made from discarded human products that had washed up in the sea,

and a couple of items,

made from rubber car tyres,

next a stall showcasing bees, 

selling products made from honey or bees wax,

and amazingly they had a live hive on display,

it was sealed off of course, and there is the queen,

in the centre with the yellow spot on her, apparently each year a different colour is used, yellow means this queen is 1 year old we were told,

as one of the company gave a talk about the bees,

which visitors and myself found fascinating,

a board outside the tent with bee photographs,

all of this area was about conservation and looking after local wildlife,

and here was second bee stall,

again with a live hive,

the queen is in there somewhere!

on to the horticultural section,


there was a flower show from local gardeners and nurseries,

plus lots of stalls,

but looking at the queue to enter I decided against it,

and looked at the stalls offering plants for sale,

lots of them,

although it has to be said,

mostly offering herbs and spices for sale,

row after row,

this one putting on a really good show,

I guess growing herbs at home must be popular,

with so many stalls selling them,

for Pimm's that one has got my vote!

now this is the type of stall I like,

a prize every time!

I looked back at the queue for the flower show, alas it had not gotten any shorter,

what fun for the kids this stall is, Diggerland,

where kids can have a go at trying real digging machines,

never had anything like this when I was a kid!

a all time favourite dodgems was here,

a stall I wanted a closer look at, 

birds of prey, 

with hawks, falcons,

and owls,

this one taking a different view of the world,

next a sheep judging contest,

the contestants were led out,

and made to stand in the correct pose for the judging,

all ready for the off,

this one looking like it is wearing a mask,

getting the sheep to stand for the judge, was easier said than done!

all set now,

in this contest,

there were 5 sheep to be judged,

the animals now settled down,

time for the judge, 

an here he is,

no false teeth!

nice coat,

plenty of meat for the table, yummy!

a farmyard was next, again a bit of a queue,

but under tents,

in a 'U' shape, 

you could get up close to farmyard animals,

it was getting late so I decided to make a move for home,

I walked to the bridge,

and passed the mural,

into Herne Hill,

and the station, 

arriving at Beckenham Junction, I had a few things to pick up at Waitrose,

that had a few outdoor plants on display,

shopping finished I walked past Foxgrove Lodge,

what a fabulous but exhausting afternoon, hot and non stop walking, 

it was time for my read and sherry,

followed by a huge chicken curry that Diana had left me,

delicious, in the early evening I watched a couple of horrors, 


followed by Island of Terror, both great fun, then just as Diana arrived home we watched a Jools Holland

featuring Alison Goldfrapp, one of her songs above, after which it was a Midsomer Murder before we were off to bed.


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