St Andrew's Park

So, up early(ish) to clean out the loft (ultimately satisfying) and go to the tip (not as busy or as much hassle as anticipated).

Granola for breakfast! Saturday had started well.

A trip to B&Q (long story) but no purchase made.

A walk down Gloucester Road in the afternoon sunshine to meet up with Mrs Running Backwards and Sons #1 and #2 at St Andrew's Park.

St Andrew's Park is a proper Victorian park surrounded on all sides by pretty elegant houses. It was laid out in 1895 and climbs a fairly steep hill up from Gloucester Road. It meets the needs of a whole group of people pretty successfully - a great sledging hill in the winter, a pool and playground for kids and relaxing spot for others - there's even a bowling green. It is sometimes ruined mid Summer when it becomes a hangout for the anti-social which is a shame - generally it's great. There's even a little caravan that serves tea and coffee.

A Wellington Bomber crashed here in 1941 after it hit barrage balloon cables. More interesting information can be found here.

On the way I met an ex-girlfriend who I hadn't seen since 1995. She only lives down the road. It was nice to see her but how we've changed! Both with kids and hovering around the 40 mark.

Immediate disclosure of the incident occurred to Mrs Running Backwards as is right and proper!

Should also mention the trip to the hardware store - a legendary place on Gloucester Road. Very satisfying visit which included, amongst other things, a stick of something that gets that goo off the bottom of the iron.