Punch and Judy Show in Marriott's Walk

Every Saturday this month there is a show for children at the Marriott's Walk, Witney. We missed last week's performance, so made sure we'd be there for the Punch and Judy show.
We arrived around 12pm to find that the show has just started.
Eddie was hesitant at first to go and sit on the rug in front of the booth among the other children, but having seen that one of his class mates was there (she waved to him), he joined in.
This was the first time Eddie watched the Punch and Judy Show. This puppet show was following the classic routine, with Punch and Judy hitting each other with sticks.
This show goes back to the 17c in this country, and to even earlier times in Italy, where Punch has been named Pulcinella. Samuel Pepys described one such show in his famous diaries.

There are some pretty shocking violent scenes, when Mr Punch puts his baby in the meat grinder and turns him into a sausage.

There is a creepy looking clown, trying to use a crocodile's head as a cushion. Clowns do freak me out. There will be a clown show next Saturday. Somehow I think I'll skip that one.

Eddie was fascinated and completely absorbed in the show. He screamed with the other kids, he pointed to the puppets and prompted the show when the audience was asked to be involved.
Later, when I asked him what he liked the best, he replied "Everything, Mummy, I loved everything". It's true, he liked it so much that we watched it later in the day again, after having lunch at home. We just managed to catch the last show of the day.

Kids were screaming and laughing so loud, I saw my guy holding his ears shut for a moment.

He was glued to the show, and didn't pay any attention to me. At those moments, only the show existed for him.

Policeman Jelly Belly

It was the last show of the day, after which the carpet was folded into the car, the puppets put into boxes, but Eddie was still lingering at the square, reluctant to go back home. I could only entice him back by promising that we'd stop by our "secret place" and feed the ducks.
When we got there, two boys of about the same age as Eddie were happily splashing in the murky water.
Their father was nearby. We found out that they were also fishing, and the older boy mentioned that their Dad might catch the duck for dinner. I don't know if he was pulling Eddie's leg, or if they were truly intending to eat the duck (I hope not). From their friendly chatter, I realised they were travellers.
Eddie easily makes friends, and wanted to stay and play with the boys, but we had to go. On the way home, I explained to Eddie who the travellers were, and he told me "I wish we lived like that", bless him. He also wanted to invite them to our house.
This morning he wanted to go back to check on the duck.

The Boy and the Sea

Why do we love the sea? It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think. (Robert Henri)

Sasha loves the sea, he is at his happiest, running in the waves. He cannot stop grinning, the sea makes him that happy.
He flaps his arms in excitement, like auties tend to do. He hums and laughs aloud.
But the sea is wise, it doesn't judge.
The sea could be a harsh and cruel entity, but Sasha does not fear it. Danger doesn't cross his mind. That's why we have to watch him closely, so that he doesn't wade in the sea too far. He can swim, but you can never trust the undercurrents. But that is our worry, not Sasha's. He feels in his element in the sea waves.

He feels an affinity with the powerful tides.
He even likes the taste of the sea.

He is free from restraints of convention, he can run and run and run, splashing in the waves, not minding if it is cold. For him nothing else matters at that moment: just the sea and him, and freedom.

Over 8 years ago, when I was in a habit of scrapbooking, I did a page of Sasha by the sea, and wrote:
"Sasha loves the sea, he treats it like a live creature, smiling to it and laughing at the sea's tricks. To him the sea plays with him personally. We have that mental image of Sasha thinking there's someone in there who rolls the waves for him".
I also wrote a text on the tag: "You're so in tune with nature, in perfect harmony with the waves and the sun, enthralled by the physical properties of nature, in intimate relationship with the elements, so much in love with the balance of the sea, the sun and the sand".
It is still the same, that love of sea.

If Sasha would have read Faust, I imagine he would exclaim like Goethe's hero "Verweile doch, du bist so schon, - Linger a while, you are so beautiful" while standing amidst the rolling waves.

Old netting on the shore

High tide

Playful shadows

When it's sunny, Eddie and I play on the way from school or into town, looking at the shadows and imagining the magical shadow world. We wave and say Hello to our own shadows.
Eddie might come up with some ideas like telling me that my shadow will eat me for lunch, but apparently his shadow won't eat him but will play with him instead.

The trees create the most beautiful shadows, some of which are crisp images, some are soft and almost watercolour-painted.

There are patterns and designs, zigzags and diamonds.

There are intricate outlines of the playground equipment and old benches.

Here is Eddie and I (and No, I don't salute, but try to take a photo) on the way home.

I love this image, it looks almost like a modern art, quite abstract and minimalist.

Have you guessed what it is yet?
Swings, of course.

As we walk along together, chatting and giggling, it makes me think that one day my little man will grow up and won't want to be accompanied by his Mum. Will he still notice the shadows and maybe smile to himself, remembering our walks?

But so far we are the best buddies, and we love our little walks and talks.

A timeless charm of Cogges

After days and days of incessant rain, we were lucky to have a sunny Sunday, and when asked what we should do, Eddie enthusiastically encouraged us to go to Cogges. Not that any of us needs any encouragement. We love Cogges Manor Farm, and have visited it so many times, I lost count.

As a rule, we first have a short break in the Cogges cafe, boys are enjoying their soft drinks, while Papa and I have coffee and tea. I rather gave up on coffee there, as it is rather uninspiring. It is not terrible but there are better places in town to enjoy a cup of latte or cappuccino. With Teapigs selection of teas, at least I know I will get a decent cup of tea. Scones are pretty good, and so are blondies. And if you are lucky, you might find duck eggs in the shop as well as some local vegetables.

Eddie always insists on buying some veggie mix for the piggies. These must be the best fed piggies in Oxfordshire, as all visiting kids want to feed them. It's a pleasure to watch them eating with gusto.

Boys love all the climbing frames, the zip wire and the wobbly bridge. Each time we visit, they do a jumping routine on the bridge.

Sasha was in a melancholic mood on the last visit and preferred to just sit and watch the commotion below.

He was happy though to share the basket swing with his younger brother.

The weather was lovely, and we had a ramble around the fields at the back of the farm, watching curious ponies who came up close to us, waiting for some snacks, and shy sheep who ran away.

I was excited to read in the Cogges email newsletter about the upcoming shooting of Downton Abbey.They have been filming this week, alas, I haven't had a chance to sneak in and watch in person. The house has been prepped for this week. I have been enjoying spotting Cogges kitchen and outside buildings in the last episodes of Downton Abbey, where it has been transformed into Yew Tree Farm, home of Lady Edith's daughter Marigold.

Dining-room at Cogges

Dining-room at Cogges

I'm a big fan of Downton Abbey, and feel thrilled that our favourite Cogges appears extensively in the latest series. Most of the Yew Tree Fram scenes take place in the fabulous kitchen. I swear I could live in that kitchen, with its cozy stove and gorgeous display of vintage china.

They have changed some of the china and kitchen gadgets to make it fit the portrayed historical period, but it is still a very recognisable old kitchen.

I hope we'll still have a chance to visit Cogges before it closes down for winter. So, rain, rain, go away.

Adding our visit to the farm post to #CountryKids linky on Coombe Mill blog.

And because we had a meal out, it fits our new Out & About linky run by Alison from Dragons and Fairy Dust and me - which is all about eating out.