A Taste of His Own Medicine by Linda Fawke

This is stupid, she told herself. Then you were a timid eighteen-year-old with little knowledge of the world. Now you are married, a successful business woman in your fifties - she winced at the thought of her age - who has faced far bigger challenges than this. Relax! You don't know what this reunion will bring. Who knows, you might enjoy it! And if not exactly that, you could have a significant achievement by the end of this weekend.

A Taste of His Own Medicine by Linda Fawke is a dark, gripping novel of lust and revenge.

Kate Shaw is a successful pharmacist, competitive and career-driven from her early days at the University. When an invitation arrives to a thirty-year reunion at her old alma mater, her first impulse is to delete the message and forget all about it. Her husband Neil thinks she should attend the departmental reunion on the campus. Kate argues that those were not the happiest years of her life.

"Thoughts of the reunion crept back like a bad cold she couldn't shake off. She discovered she was curious to know what had happened to the people with whom she shared three years of her life. And bitter thoughts crossed her mind. Perhaps she could make use of the weekend. Maybe she could get more of it than being pleasant to folk she never liked".

She would like to settle old scores with several people, but her main target is Jonathan, her ex.

"Would Jonathan be there? She didn't want to ask herself but her brain had a mind of its own. It's years since I've been aware of his existence, she thought. I did a thorough job of building a wall between us".

She needs a plan on how exactly to handle him. "Jonathan Carson, her beautiful man. To say he was handsome was like saying Shakespeare wrote plays, He was the epitome of good looks". He was handsome, and he knew it. In his student days, he has been modelling. This defined him and made him stand apart from the others. Thirty years ago, Kate and Jonathan's relationship ended on bitter terms. Joy turned to vengeance, "desire for him became the desire to hurt him; to scar him as much as she could".

Kate is set on revenge, and the reunion offers an excellent opportunity to wreak vengeance. Her friend and confidante Becky is enrolled in her plans, but only in vague terms. At first she goes along with the crazy plan, finding it amusing, but as the revenge plans become more elaborate, Becky tries to reason with Kate, saying the best approach is to put it behind her, "I don't approve of this. You're going too far this time".

And Kate's ambitions to settle scores grow out of proportion. Her desire to scar her ex for life works to her advantage. What she doesn't expect is that her grim measures of vengeance would bring a strange reaction, "You've come back into my life like an explosion", says Jonathan. 

A Taste of His Own Medicine is a study of corrosive effects of the wish for revenge and the damage it does to ourselves first of all. It is a disconcerting read, twisted and gripping.

I've never been to a school or University reunion in my life. While I'm quite content to see the photos of my former class mates and University pals on social media, I am not interested in attending any reunions. Reading the novel, I thought that all this meeting up to reminisce about the past, exchange life stories and eat/drink oneself into a state of stupor does not appeal to me whatsoever. I would be that one person from Kate's class who decided not to attend, and who people were bitching about later.

Overall, you feel sad for a person who keeps grudges and dreams of revenge for 30 years. 

They all seem pretty infantile and quite unpleasant. It's like Mean Girls, 30 Years Later. Aren't people supposed to grow up?! Yet they make fun of each other's fading looks, unflattering details, and ridicule less successful careers. Kate finds it cruel but amusing. The pharmacists at the reunion are either boastful of their current status, or  wallow in self-pity. And Kate is utterly deranged.

Yes, Kate had a hard blow, being dumped by her fickle lover when she felt at her most vulnerable, but letting herself stew in hatred and anger has turned her positively unhinged. She remembers every single detail from her Uni days as if it were yesterday. "And now, thirty years later, it could be time to rebalance the scales. The memory of their last conversation was as vivid as the denouement of a novel read yesterday". 

I didn't like any of the characters, but at the same time I was rather fascinated by the whole venomous narrative, and will be interested in reading the sequel.

This book review is part of the Book Birthday Blitz.

Many thanks to Linda Fawke and Rachel's Random Resources for my copy of the book!

Purchase Links  

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Taste-his-own-Medicine-ebook/dp/B01N2NYZVN/  

US - https://www.amazon.com/Taste-his-own-Medicine-ebook/dp/B01N2NYZVN/  

Author Bio –

Linda Fawke is an arts person who studied science but always wanted to write. Now retired, she indulges this passion, writing fiction and non-fiction, even occasional poetry, preferably late at night. She has now written two novels, 'A Taste of his own Medicine' and its sequel, 'A Prescription for Madness' using her background in pharmacy as the setting of both. These are easy books to read, suitable for Book Club discussions. ' A Prescription for Madness' is more serious than the first book, dealing with such issues as pregnancy in later life and Down's Syndrome.

She has been a winner of the Daily Telegraph 'Just Back' travel-writing competition and has published in various magazines including 'Mslexia', 'Litro' online, 'Scribble', 'The Oldie', 'Berkshire Life' and 'Living France'. She was a finalist in the 'Hysteria' short story competition.

Linda blogs at www.linimeant.wordpress.com where her 'Random Writings' include a range of topics from travel to 'Things that pop into my head'.  

Social Media Links –  

Twitter: @LindaFawke  

Facebook: Linda Fawke  

Festive & Gourmet Degustabox (November)

 It's been an unusual year, full of anxiety and sadness, but with the festive season approaching, it might be a good idea to find the joy in little pleasures of life. You might not be able to see your close or extended family and friends for Christmas (except the close bubbles, or whatever new regulations will be enforced by then), but you can still make the celebrations special. 

Rev up good cheer with the Festive & Gourmet Degustabox! The latest food and drink box is crammed with tasty festive treats.

What did we get, let's have a good look!

I'm a fan of Clipper tea, and was happy to find a box of Clipper Tea Organic Advent Calendar (£4.99) among the contents of the food box. It is a festive edition, which includes 12 varieties of organic tea and infusions (2 each). Many food and drink advent boxes are huge, with the unnecessary, excessive packaging. I like this neat box, it's colourful and cheerful to look at, and won't take much space on the kitchen shelf.

You will have a choice of Happy Mondays, Wild Berry, Detox, Orange and Lemon, Calmer Cameleon, Love Me Truly, Snore & Peace and other delicious flavours.

The previous Degustabox had quite a few chocolate treats, and this month hasn't disappointed chocoholics either.

Lindt Lindor Treatbar Orange and Mint (£0.85 each)

Lindor treatbars have silky smooth creamy milk chocolate filling flavoured with orange and mint. They are truly melt-in-the-mouth, so deliciously creamy and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Another classic and family favourite - Jaffa Cakes - has undergone a festive makeover and appears in a new festive flavour of Orange & Cranberry (£1.20). The original blend of dark crackly chocolate, light sponge and tasty orange centre has been enhanced with an added cranberry flavour. 

Nutritional information: 46kcal and 6.1g of sugar per cake.

Available at Co-Op, Morrisons, Tesco, ASDA and Discounters.

KitKat Santa Chocolate Bar & Mini Pouch Bag (£0.65 for a single bar and £1 for a mini pouch) are a festive version of the family favourite. KitKat milk chocolate Santas with a rich chocolatey centre and crunchy wafer pieces are a lovely combination of flavours and textures. Treat yourself or share with your family.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Zero Trace Full Taste Hot Chocolate promises that it doesb't have a trace of any of the 14 major allergens. Pip uses unrefined sugar and cocoa which is certified organic and Fairtrade. This delicious hot chocolate is a bit darker than most, so it's best made with your favourite milk (dairy or plant-based).

Available on Amazon and pipschocolate.com.

La Boulangère Plain Brioche Baguettes (£1.50 for a 4pk, 340g) are soft and delicately sweet brioche baguettes, reminiscent of the traditional taste of Vienna. Perfect for breakfast with a cup of coffee. They also make lovely vessels for all kinds of sandwich fillings. Try creamy brie and grapes, or crumbly Cheddar with chilli jam.

Available in Tesco, Ocado and Milk & More.

Daelmans Stroopwafels - Mini Caramel Stroopwafels (£1.30 for 200g) are the world-famous Dutch classic. A pack of minis is for sharing, and are best served with a hot drink, like tea, coffee or hot chocolate. These delicious caramel-filled waffles have a hint of Bourbon vanilla. A perfect indulgent treat for a festive season, or throughout the year.

Available at Sainsbury's and Ocado.

KIND (£1.30-1.99) bars are big on flavour. You will receive two items in the box. KIND Protein Double Dark Chocolate Nut includes 12g protein and comes at 249kcal. It is gluten free and high in fibre. Ingredients are peanuts, almonds with dark chocolate and sea salt among the others.

KIND Caramel Almond & Sea Salt is another combination of mixed nuts with a sweet and salty flavours. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives.

Available on kindsnacks.co.uk

Strings and Things Wintershapes (£1.50) are rich in calcium for healthy bones. You will receive a voucher to the value of £1.50 cheeshapes winter edition, valid until 31/01/2021. The shapes are made of 100% real cheese, pressed into festive winter shapes - penguins, gingerbread men, reindeer. Each pack comes with winter facts and a playful spot the difference game.

Maille Dijon Original Mustard (£1.99) is made with finely crushed Barssica Juncea seeds. It's a perfect accompaniment to any cold meats. If you're making a French salad dressing, this mustard is a key ingredient. I like to add it to a cheese sandwich. 

Available in all major supermarket chains. 

Zest Vegan Coriander & Basil Pesto (£2.20) is a plant-based pesto, made with coriander and basil as well as creamy cashew nuts. It is gluten free and dairy free. Swirl it through pasta, add to savoury pastries, or make a dressing for a salad.

Available at Ocado, Morrisons, Amazon and independent shops.

And finally, there are two small sized bottle of Wolf Blass Yellow Label Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon (£2.25). The heartland of Wolf Blass winemaking, Yellow Label has delivered exceptional quality for over 50 years. These Australian wines are bright, fruit-driven and full of flavour, to be paired with food for any occasion.

I'm planning to make festive apple and red wine jelly with Cabernet.

Available in all major supermarket chains.

Degustabox is a monthly food and drink subscription box. It's an excellent way of discovering new products which have only just appeared in the shops, or those which have been around for a while, but you haven't had a chance to try them yet.

Thanks to Degustabox, I have found new favourites to add to our shopping list, including some products which I probably wouldn't have tried otherwise.

Each time the monthly box arrives, its contents are a total surprise. You get a good selection of foods and drinks.

If you haven't tried Degustabox subscription box yet, and would like to have a go, I have a £3 off discount from your first box (and you can unsubscribe any time), just use code DKRLN when you place an order.

Photo diary: week 47, project 366

Christmas is creeping up stealthily upon us, in just over a month we'll be celebrating it. It will most likely be a subdued event, like everything else this year. I haven't properly started shopping for Christmas gifts, with an exception of one tin of cookies and a Star Wars jumper for Eddie, with Darth Vader in a Santa hat. 

I have, however, bought twelve chocolate bars for my now traditional annual chocolate giveaway, which will start on 1 December.  Don't forget to join in!

Who doesn't love swings? 

Our garden has hardly any blooms now, with the exception of some cyclamens and a few fragile white roses. Last week I was surprised to see a bright calendula in one of the flower tubs. It must have self-seeded, as I've never planted it, the seed brought by the wind or perhaps the bird pooped it in the tub.

I've been binge-watching The Crown season 4. As with the previous seasons, it's better not to study history, relying on Peter Morgan's version of events, but it's very entertaining. 

It's uneven too, the episode with Fagan was pretty boring. The episode with the cousins hidden in the asylum and registered as dead, is truly heart-breaking. Having a child with special needs, I found this part of the story hard to watch, though I knew about the cousins before. 

Diana appears as very needy and quite manipulative, and don't even start me on the self-centred Charles.

Did you watch it? What did you think? Does it ring true to you, do you recollect events as different? I arrived to the UK as a student in the last year of Diana's life, and remember watching the infamous TV interview, together with my elderly Irish landlady. At that time I didn't really follow the antics of the Royal family, and it was quite a revelation.

Our local Shake shop is a busy place. There is a long queue outside the shop most days, so when we passed by the other day and saw that there was nobody outside, we quickly popped in to get a strawberry shake with cream for Eddie. 

We pass by The Teddy Bears of Witney every day on the way into town centre. And every time I see this grinning doggy, I smile. I'm not sure if it is supposed to be cute or ugly, but it will surely scare any baby.

We bought the art print of the Cornish coastline back in summer 2019 for Eddie's birthday, he has chosen it from a big selection in the small art gallery in Perranuthnoe, where we usually stay for a week. 

He's been asking me for ages, when I would be buying a frame for it. I wanted to have the job done by the master framer who sells his wares at the market, but last year I haven't seen him at all (in fact, he later told me he was unwell and didn't come to Witney for many months), then Covid began and all that. Finally I decided to buy a frame online.

We picked the colour of the frame, and placed an order, it was made in Germany. When it arrived, the colour is completely different from the one we wanted, it was supposed to be grey blue-ish to match the waves. But it's too much faff to send it back, so it will have to do.

The picture is now hanging in our sitting room, next to Eddie's portrait.

We are still catching Pokemons. If anyone wants to become our friend, do tag me on Twitter (@maximka25). This Saturday it was a Magmar day, and he photobombed our snap.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas #BlogTour

"When you're thirteen, Daddy will teach you how to lay an enchantment. Just the one, and it will be yours, forever. That's traditional on the eyot. If someone turns out to be good at dollcraft - if they're better than everyone else - we apprentice them as a Sorcerer, and they can learn all the other enchantments. Do you see? Only the very best people at craft get to do it as a job. Only they get to learn all the enchantments".

Since early childhood Persephone's desire is to become a Sorcerer. Now she is an adult, but she is not making dolls, as she once imagined, "despite repeatedly requesting an apprenticeship. She is out front, "making sales, getting into trouble for being insufficiently cheerful with the customers".

Persephone is a compelling, determined heroine of The Thief on the Winged Horse by Kate Mascarenhas. It is not easy to define the genre of this novel in one word, as it is a mix of fantasy, magic realism, crime and feminist philosophy.

 

The Kendrick family have been making famous enchanted dolls since the early 1800s. Their craftsmanship is exquisite, and their magic abilities are coveted by the collectors around the world. Each doll has a unique specific emotion attached to it by the sorcerer. Touch the doll, and you will be affected by Heady Optimism or Bucolic Bliss or some other strong emotion. 

The doll-making business has been founded by four sisters - Lucy, Rebecca, Sally and Jemima. The workshop continues to trade as a family business by the descendants of the sisters. In fact, only the family members are allowed in it. Despite being founded by women, this mini-world of dollmakers and sorcerers, is now ruled by men, while women are pushed to the lower echelons of crafts. The Kendricks' famous workrooms are the only source of magic dolls in this country or any other.

One autumnal day, a stranger enters the shop. He walks around, looking at the dolls. He touches them gently, drawing a new feeling from each one.

The young girl at the counter doesn't acknowledge him, she is scowling deeply. When she talks to the stranger, her tone is surly. She doesn't make a good sales assistant. As we later find out, Persephone resents her position. She is startled when the stranger requests a meeting with the head of the family, Conrad Kendrick. Larkin claims to be a descendant of one of the sisters, and thus wants to find a job in the workshop. The story sounds like a product of a fantasist, because Jemima Ramsay died in childbirth and didn't leave any offspring.

Hedwig Mayhew works for Conrad Kendrick as a domestic manager and representative. She is young, ego-driven and enjoys the power she has. "Her favourite responsibility was settling bills, because she liked imagining that she instead of Conrad, was immensely rich".

While waiting to be admitted to Conrad's office, Larkin sees the cage, where the most important doll of the family is displayed behind iron bars - the Paid Mourner. The doll was made in 1821 to mark the passing of Jemima. The doll is exquisite, but Hedwig doesn't share Larkin's admiration. "Only financial worth inspired her interest. Growing up on Paxton's Eyot ensured her grasp of trade information. The most important thing about the Paid Mourner was the market value. Pride in Kendricks' wealth made Hedwig booast; she whispered, gleefully: "She's worth two million pounds."

Larkin explains to Conrad why he wants to work for the family business, " To make people feel joy - and awe - and every other emotion your magic brings. No other doll maker can teach me that. The Kendricks Workshop is unique".

Conrad makes a decision to hire Larkin in a reduced capacity, even if just to keep a watchful eye on him. He will only be permitted to craft the dolls, not lay enchantments.

Persephone is resentful that the stranger to the family gets a place in the workshop. She has seen his work, and understands that he is very gifted. "With this proof of his ability, Persephone wished still more intensely that she were in his place. No, more than that; she wanted to be him. To have a vision, and to be permitted to realise it, was so enviable". She is watching Larkin and hopes that her fortunes will change as well.

Abandoned by her mother, Persephone lives with the alcoholic father Briar, who's abusive and has a strange hold on her. If she leaves him and the eyot, she will never be allowed to become who she wants to be.

Then, one night, when the family is holding an annual masked ball, their most valuable doll is stolen from the premises. Who could have taken it? Only someone who knows how to handle magic, and the fingers are pointing in one direction.

The magic is part of life of the small island community. Their belief in the fae world is strong. There is an old eyot superstition. "When we lose an object, we say it's been taken by the Thief; he's one of the fae folk, and he rides a winged horse. He only returns what we've lost when we offer something in exchange".

The Thief on the Winged Horse is a fascinating novel, with original characters and marvellous setting of the fictional island in Oxford with its isolated community and its insular ideas. This is the suffocating world where the parochial attitude to women and their subjugated role is so outdated. The history goes back to the four sisters who only had sons, so there were no women sorcerers in the next generation. 

"Those men decided that their daughters should receive a hex, like the boys, for their own protection form the Thief, but fathers must act as intermediary in translating the symbol... Women never regained a proper foothold. Sorcery became men's work. That was the company line. The women who did break through were belittled".

Female empowerment is one of the themes of the book. We root for the socially inept Persephone to grow her own wings, through heart-break and self-discovery.

I especially enjoyed reading the descriptions of the doll-making techniques, varieties of materials, different ideas for dioramas and doll's houses. 

I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and would have liked some of the plotlines to be explored more in-depth.

The Gothic, melancholic tones of the novel suit perfectly the darker late autumn and winter evenings.

Many thanks to Kate Mascarenhas and Head of Zeus for my limited edition proof.

This post is part of the blog tour.

P.S. In case you are wondering about the artwork around the book, I painted the Venetian Dolls series about 15-17 years ago. There were many more pieces in the series, all painted in black and red water colour with a brush (this is not an ink and pen work). 

The Mystery of Montague House by Emma Davies (Cover Reveal)

Do you love cosy mysteries? And if there's a mysterious house (cottage, mansion, castle) featuring, it's even better.

Today I'm delighted to take part in a cover reveal for The Mystery of Montague House by Emma Davies.

The Mystery of Montague House 

When Summer meets Wynter... 
 
With enough rooms to fill a Cluedo board several times over, Montague House has often been the subject of rumour and gossip. Tales of strange goings on, an owner who disappeared one day and was never seen again, not to mention the treasure that rumour has it lies at its heart... But now the present owner has died and the house is to be sold. It looks as if the opportunity has come to finally settle the stories once and for all. 
 
Clodagh Wynter doesn’t believe in ghostly goings on and tall tales of secrets. She has her feet very firmly on the ground and, tasked with the job of valuing and cataloguing the house and all its contents, she’s simply looking forward to working in such a glorious setting. And if she happens across a priceless painting, well, that’s just icing on the cake. 
 
Andie Summer is a Finder of Things and desperately needs this job; she’s down to her last few tins of baked beans. So looking for hidden treasure sounds right up her street, even if there was something very fishy about the mysterious Mr Mayfair who hired her. Because it’s just like she said to her faithful Basset Hound, Hamish; I saw something out of the corner of my eye as I was leaving, and you know what that means. It’s never good news when I see something out of the corner of my eye... 
 
As the unlikely pair are thrown together, it soon becomes very clear however that they are not the only ones searching for the treasure. And they’re going to need all their ingenuity, resourcefulness, not to mention chocolate biscuits, if they’re ever going to untangle the web of secrets that surrounds Montague House. One that reaches even further than they ever thought possible... 

Purchase Link - https://smarturl.it/MontagueHouse 

Do you like the sound of this book? Are you ready for the cover reveal? Ta-da!

Author Bio –  

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: 'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty-something mother of three.' Well the job in the design studio didn't work out but she's now a fifty-something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true. 
 
After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband and three children in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life.  

Social Media Links –  

@EmDaviesAuthor 

www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor 

www.instagram.com/authoremmadavies 

Photo diary: weeks 44-46, project 366

We're heading into a festive season, but not many people are in the right mood. 

Hallowe'en has passed barely acknowledged. We had some themed decorations and window displays in town, but none to the usual extent. Even the gadget repairs shop, Ability Systems, which always has the most spectacular window display with big-sized witches, bubbling cauldrons and all the paraphernalia, did nothing this year.

The Bonfire Night was a painful reminder for me that my Mum is so far away. In the last few years she was visiting this time of the year, and would build up a bonfire in the garden. Her enthusiasm is catching, she is like a big child who enjoys roasting marshmallows over the fire. I thought of doing it this year myself, but in the end lacked any mojo.

And now that we're approaching Christmas, who knows what lies ahead. It would be lovely to have some semblance of normality.

These last few weeks I've been struggling with winter blues. I'm going through motions, and haven't done much blogging, except for the book reviews, which I have promised to write a while ago. Hence a three-weeks' load of photos for the Photo diary, apologies if you resent posts with multiple images.

The last week of October is already a distant memory. We had some dry-ish days, when we ventured to the playground.

We're still playing Pokemon Go, in fact tomorrow is our first month's anniversary, since we started the game.

Raindrops on the lilac branch in our garden.

M&S has released a big range of Harry Potter-themed food items and children's clothes. I bought a chocolate Golden snitch and a couple of mini tins, and plan to buy a pyjama for Eddie. I did order a pyjama online, but when it arrived, it was huge. I returned it back, just the before the second lockdown, but they didn't have the same PJ in the shop.

Silly things keep us amused. We were buying a birthday card for my husband, and saw this Dracula face mask. Of course, someone just had to buy it.

Every year we choose one of our favourite characters for the carved pumpkin. In the past we had the Gruffalo, Meg and Mog, Hiccup and Toothless, the dragon from Merlin, etc etc. This year Eddie is taken by the Mandalorian series, so I decided to carve The Child for Hallowe'en.

Knowing that the bookshops would be closed soon, we headed to our Waterstones almost daily to chat to the ladies and get more books. 

The Midnight Guardians is Waterstones' book of the month. It had fantastic reviews, and if you've seen the quotes inside the book, from famous children's authors, you would think this is the masterpiece of the century. 

We're reading it now, almost finished, and to be honest, I'm not so enthusiastic about it. In fact, we were quite underwhelmed, reading the first third of the book. It gets better, as you get involved in the story more and more.

This is a YA fantasy novel, set during the WWII in England. I might be too harsh, but I think it would have benefitted from more rigorous editing and being slightly condensed. The author loves the expression "the hair's breadth" and used it about six or seven times. 

Pukka teas sent me a small parcel of their herbal teas for reviewing. Pukka Night Time is supposed to help with sleeping, but I'm probably beyond help now. I do enjoy herbal teas, and Night time is a tasty combination of oatflower, lavender and limeflower, but I'm too stressed right now to feel any difference in my sleep patterns. 

My first mince tart of the season, and the last trip to Costa in a while.

I walked to the nearest playground by the Trinity Church to check if the playground is open. With all cafes and bookshops closed, I was dreading what we'd do with Sasha at the weekends, as he expects to be taken out to his favourite places. There was a lady spraying some antibacterial solution over the play area equipment. I asked her if the playground would be open, and she confirmed that this time the playgrounds would not be closed. That's a relief, at least we could do something at the weekends.

This is our local church, where Eddie was baptised. 

The white doves smooching among the riot of colour on the "ghost house" in the neighbourhood.

How dismal-looking are these clothes in H&M? 

I remember reading one fashion blogger who has never been to Russia, claiming that the clothes during the Soviet times were all uniform black and grey. Not sure where she got that piece of information, but her statement stayed in my mind as one of those astonishing propaganda views. If anything, the colours I remember were clashing and very bright. I used to have one of those blindingly yellow fur coats in my school years (pretty ugly, but sooo dazzling). I also recollect with fondness my red jeans and turquoise blue pants with big pockets. All those brightly coloured shawls and scarves...

If anything, I wear more blacks and greys now. I do like black, but these clothes below just make me sad.

Well, this window display is probably what some people would assume the Soviet fashions might have looked.

Walking past St Mary's church, we saw that they are cutting the cypress. I read about it in the local papers that the tree is 200-years' old. It's not diseased, but the roots are ruining the graveyard, so they decided to get rid of it. So, so sad. They plan to use the wood for making furniture for the church. It's quite typical of the local church authorities.

Every time the rain stops, we tend to walk over to the playground.

View of St Mary's from the Leys in the afternoon, when the dusk is settling.

More of Witney landmarks - famous Witney Mill.

For the 11th of November Eddie's school asked children to paint poppies on rocks. They chose several to put at the base of the Witney War memorial which marked its 100th anniversary this September. Eddie was disappointed that his poppy didn't make it to the final few.

It was my husband's birthday. I bought two cakes, one for him to share with his colleagues in the department, and one for us. This is the Neapolitan cake from Waitrose. It's not bad, though very-very sweet. Smells lovely of strawberries and chocolate.

The candles were a bit of a jokey token, as I didn't fancy putting over half a hundred candles on the cake.

I liked the pattern of the shadow on the blinds of Next shop.

Last week the town has been slowly transformed for the festive season ahead, with the Christmas lights and trees. Of course, there is no switching the lights on ceremony this year, sigh.

Are you still here? If you haven't fallen asleep, scrolling through three weeks of photos, you deserve a medal.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter