View from above

Spent most of the morning on odds and sods that needed completing, tidying up or sorting out. A bitty sort of morning but one tinged with disappointment and regret as we learned that the planning officer for Telford and Wrekin Council was minded to recommend granting planning permission for 330 new houses on Haygate Fields on farmland on the edge of Wellington in Shropshire. Regualr visitors to this journal will know that although I live in Kent this plot of land is dear to my heart as it backs onto my parents old home in Wellington. A truly rural area which it is now likely will be destroyed for ever.

There is always the hope that the Planning Committee will not endorse the officer's recommendations at its meeting next week but it now looks like an uphill battle to prevent this particular piece of open countryside being lost to urban development. Money, as always, wins out in the end.

Lunch time and the afternoon was much better. We went to Bluewater Shopping Centre so that Susan could continue in her quest for her wedding outfit for San Diego in August. Some success with shoes purchased. A handbag is still required. We enjoyed the last of our free drinks and cakes at John Lewis. The scones here were better than those at its store in Ashford scoring better on the crunch and the crumb to give a total of 33 out of a possible 44; points, 2 more than the Ashord scone.

This shot was taken from a balcony overlooking the lower sales floor as I lkied the symetrical arrangement and all the patterns created by the various goods on display.

While Susan was completing her shopping I purchased a mouse for her new laptop computer which we had fun setting up when we returned from shopping. I aslo spent some time in Waterstones looking at guide books on the Lake District where we're going this Friday for the week. As Doreen needs a wheelchair to get around I wanted to see what information there was on access for people with disabilities. Out of the 5 guide books I looked at only one made reference to this topic, helpfully pointing out a section on the National Park website called "Miles without Stiles" - 42 routes of differing gradings, for people in wheelchairs and with bugggies that will take people into the heart of Lakeland scenery on levelish footpaths. Perhaps there is a market for a book catering for people with disabilities?

The day was wrapped up with a good walk via the allotment and Mote Park to Tescos and home for more setting up of the laptop. An improving sort of day.