Excitement

I felt that after my (rather poor) blogs on political occurrences of the last couple of years (Election 2015 and Referendum 2016) that Tuesday's surprise announcement that there would be a General Election this year on 8th June deserved some blog action.  But really there isn't an awful lot to say.  Fortunately some great excitement occurred last night so I felt the two together merited blog time!  So feel free to skip the political bit to read about the real great times at the bottom!

While sitting at the computer on Tuesday I got this group message from a teacher friend:

Apart from the despair that conservatives will get re-elected as labour is in disarray... on the bright side... YIPPPEEE - Poling day = closed school!!

I puzzled and wondered if there was a bi-election today so I went on the BBC site and there was the announcement with Teresa May live.  I really did feel excited - not necessarily in a happy or worried way, but just in a 'this is momentous' way.  I find it odd that our country can hold elections so quickly.  We followed the US election for at least a year before it happened and with all the talk of the Dutch, French and German elections this year, it rather seemed like the UK didn't want to miss out.  I will be interested to see if there are many changes of seat and although there will be certain things I am hoping for, my main feeling is that not a lot will change. 

So now the really special news...!!  We went to have dinner and play games with some new aquaintances last night.  We cycled: I'd like to say it was because we are naturally athletic people, but really it was because the car was in the garage.  We cycled out of there place after 10.30 at night, fairly city centre, and were waiting at the lights, when towards us and over us a Barn Owl flew!!!!!!!!  It was fairly low flying and directly towards us so we were able to see it clearly and have no doubt what it was.  It was gone within seconds but it felt like such a magical occurrence.  This is the first time I have confidently been able to say 'I have seen an owl in the wild'.  Wow! Special special times! 

Snake's-head fritillaries

At Rose Hill Runners on Monday, a fellow runner mentioned these flowers.  It meant nothing to me and she said they hadn't meant anything to her until they saw the signs when walking with her botanist friend who was most excited to see them.  So off I went for a little walk today following the signs to see what I could see.  There ensued a lovely meander through Iffley Meadows, not something I knew existed.  Very happy times.

 Interesting to read this sign on the way out and learn more about the area and the flora and fauna to see.

 Excited to learn from the information sign about the cuckooflowers so I went back and took some photos.

And on the walk back to Iffley, I couldn't resist any longer, a photo of the beautiful view down the side part of the river from the flood gates bridge.  The greeny emerald almost turquoise colour of the water at the moment I find quite captivating.

Maastricht

What a fabulous weekend we had in Maastricht!  Perfect weather, company, food!  It definitely needs to be recorded here.  So here come the photos...

 The adventure started when AS and Mamma picked John and I up from school at our early 1.30 holiday finish on 7th April and we were off on our European Road Trip.  Sadly the M25 meant we didn't make the train time we had booked for but due to the wonders of Flexiplus we were able to drive straight on the next Eurotunnel train.  A first for us all and quite a bafflement yet a successful experience.  

 Saturday saw us meet up with Lizzie and start our two days of her showing us the wonders of Maastricht interspersed with splendid food stops.

 Breakfast/brunch at Piece of Cake.  Check out those glasses!

 Lots of lovely parks to walk through and statues to stumble upon.

 Maastricht had my favourite blossom of the year so far.

 We stopped at Lizzie's place to see where she had been living in the old cigar factory - and to experience the high bed!

We carried on walking through the parks and along the old walls of the city.

One of the great stops was the bookshop that has been created within an old church building.  Lovely to browse through.

 Then a walk across the River Maas.

After a rest back at our Airbnb place we went to the Lumiere which is also a cinema for a delicious evening meal.

Sunday. 

 After driving to Lizzie's and loading the car up with some of her belongings, we set off walking again down more beautiful streets and passages.

 Time for food again.  We stopped at this amazing old mill bakery.  Yum yum!

Then off again for more walking and browsing the shops.

We stopped at another old church building, or more accurately cloisters, that this time had been made into a hotel...

... with an unusual water vortex that captivated us!

Then it was time to walk up the hill of Maastricht for an ice cream and to admire the views before heading underground for the tour of the caves.

For our final meal we headed to the Vrijthof to eat in one of the many outdoor restaurants there.  And of course we had to follow it up with waffles!

Thanks Lizzie for such a super duper time!  I loved it!