Blackhill Farm

Black Hill, near Snitterfield, Warwickshire

Wandered into my home-office this morning in order to collect the jeans and stuff I slung in there late the night before. I noticed a phone on the floor and then, on the bed, my eyes caught the still, full length body of a stranger. Sadly, a male about 25 years, but thankfully dressed.

This created a small problem in that my jeans were on the bed too and he was lying on them. So I reversed and reported my discovery to Cath. Cath explained that the stranger was our Dan's pal and they'd got in from a party around 5:00am.
Evidently, Dan had chucked up shortly after getting home. Not long after that, as I was downstairs making a brew, the floorboards creaked as the stranger moved to another room.

With the room vacant I returned. But my jeans weren't as I remembered them. First, there was a HTC phone stuffed in one of the pockets (which I have never owned). Next, they were wet. As was a shirt and an empty camera bag, pushed up against the wall. Further enquiries revealed the bed spread, duvet and cover, sheets, mattress liner and mattress all had that tell-tale, oozy, cold feel when pressed or crumpled. And there were a number of narrow strips running gravity's way from just above mattress height. I can't formally identify the stranger but I gather 'Damp Patch' was overcome with embarrassment.

Later we went over to Stratford for a wander and a teashop stop. Fourteas is a shop with a war-time theme. The waitresses wear washable cotton 'farm dresses' with matching headscarves, all in neutral colours, and you can imagine what sort of music comes over on the wireless. The walls are decorated with Women's Land Army pictures, posters encouraging mothers, and Hitler cartoons. Thankfully they seem not to dissuade the many German and Japanese visitors.

That afternoon I took a circuit around Black Hill, near Snitterfield. A silvery fog hung in the air, particularly over the Welcombe Hills but come 5:00pm the sun vigorously punched its way through, and for about 20 minutes, warming light bathed the fields.

The cinema season has re-started for us (generally September to May). Saw 'Pride'. I never knew the movie was based upon a true-story. Had I known, I think I would have seen beyond some of the farce and enjoyed it all the more. Cath loved it. From my viewpoint, it felt like it was from the same stable as 'Made in Dagenham'.