Last of the summer wine?

Aside

The forecast was good on Saturday, so thinking it could be the last day of our Indian summer we decided to drive to Bicknoller. Rain came from nowhere but by the time we got there the sun was out and the Quantocks were in their autumnal russet glory. We were going to have lunch at the village pub and as usual got lost in the narrow lanes. Once there we walked through a bar, past an inviting looking room with a fire then into another bar which was milling with people, who seemed to be looking at us askance.

MTL ordered me a glass of medium dry white wine and we were amazed when the bar tender gave him a bottle and said there were glasses on the tables.

Realising there was something amiss I asked if we could have lunch in the room with the fire. The barman looked thunderstruck and said this was a private party and they weren’t serving lunches. I forbore to suggest that perhaps they should have a notice on the door instead of the one saying lunches were being served and indicated to MTL that we should scarper without further ado as we still had to find somewhere for lunch.

Both Crowcombe and Stogumber were within reach so MTL chose Stogumber. We were warmly welcomed at The White Horse and in spite of the flower- circled back terrace chose to eat indoors as the weather was erratic. I remembered playing skittles there when I used to belong to the TWG and being very shocked when a member of the committee cheated by putting her foot well over the line. Our lunch was good – especially ‘Pam’s plum crumble’ served by ? Pam in a very pretty blue and white blouse which she had bought from Sainsburys, and which didn’t need ironing.

On the way back I tried to find the store which sells small wooden off cuts which our gardener wants us to buy and varnish for plant markers, but my directions were too vague. We called at the nursery to get pansies and stocks for the pots which reminds me – as soon as the rain stops I must plant them. And I ought to do the lawn before Thursday when the gardener comes and when we shall be in Bristol at the ballet.

Has anyone any experience of Cloudmark? It’s an anti spam thing and I seem to have downloaded it thinking it was a freebie when it is on a 15 day trial. After which – if I keep it I pay - but I don’t know how much yet. Or if it is worth while when I already have Norton?