Monday

Phase Eight after watching a very entertaining brass band in the market place who happened to be playing the Johnny Briggs theme tune when I went past. Phase Eight is lovely - selection and lovely airconditioning.

Sunday

I was going to say that my new thing today was a packet of chicken and tarragon crisps, but Mr Sthg New pointed out that I'd never seen anything like the "incroyable" display in the market place! A French group of performers drummed, danced, beat and wended their way along the main street (including a stop off in Ann Summers!) and then attached themselves to a mobile, still drumming, and were then lifted 100ft into the air, complete with trapeze artist! Just breathtaking!!

Saturday

After almost 18 miles of walking to Kintbury and back along the canal path in the beautiful searing sunshine, the Mr Moo Juice milkshake and smoothie bar was like a mirage! Between us we had a healthy shake and a chocolate filled shakey (guess who had what!) which were just what the doctor ordered! However, the guy who served us sadly seemed to get quite irritated as I hadn't decided what to drink before I walked in.

Friday

Popped into the Benchmark Furniture showroom to check out their beautiful range of delightfully crafted, but sustainable classic tables, chairs, sofas, and a beautiful bookcase that I had my eye on. It's all handmade and even just stroking the wonderful tables gives you a feel for the skill and experience that's been put into each object. Was brought down to earth with a bump almost quite literally when I was leaving as a white van man came round the country lane that leads to the showroom at about 80mph!

http://www.benchmarkfurniture.com/

Thursday

New thing was nipping into the lovely bridal shop in Newbury where I felt invigorated by my lovely massage!
http://satinandlaceweddingservices.co.uk/

Wednesday

Ah this is England. We enjoyed a lovely pint in a pub called the Red House in Marsh Benham where there was a friendly, smiley welcome, nice atmosphere and a great view over the West Berkshire countryside.

http://www.theredhousepub.com/

TUesday

A new Tesco (which makes three in the town - I wonder if all new homes will be fitted with one).

Katherine Jayne

Decided to have a look in this beautiful shop to see if there were any dresses that might be suitable for bridesmaid wear for the wedding. Only when I saw two of the staff look me up and down did I realise that I was wearing a tracksuit and looked really scruffy. They didn't ask me to leave, but I felt like this and scarped: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed7C3gAXQNA

SUnday

Bought a new type of couscous. Seriously.

Saturday - Levellers Day Burford

This was to commemorate three Levellers that were executed on Oliver Cromwell’s orders in Burford churchyard, Oxfordshire in 1649.

"During the Civil War, the Levellers fought on Parliament’s side, they had at first seen Cromwell as a liberator, but now saw him as a dictator. They were prepared to fight against him for their ideals and he was determined to crush them. Over 300 of them were captured by Cromwell’s troops and locked up in Burford church. Three were led out into the churchyard to be shot as ringleaders. In 1975, members of the WEA Oxford Industrial Branch went to Burford to reclaim a piece of history that seemed to be missing from the school books. They held a meeting in remembrance of the Leveller soldiers. The following year, Tony Benn came and read in the church and in each succeeding year, people have come to Burford on the Saturday nearest to 17 May, debated, held a procession, listened to music and remembered the Levellers and the importance of holding on to ideals of justice and democracy."

A lovely event, blessed with glorious sunshine, so after the parade, our new thing was strolling around the beautiful village of Burford and visiting the Cotswold Arms. The other new thing was ahem, watching Die Hard for the very first time ever. Cough Cough.

Friday - Tamworth

Was in Tamworth before I would normally get out of bed this morning for an awards ceremony, and my new thing was a quick coffee at the nearby Sainsbury's cafe. I then needed to check my email on the way home, so stopped in Wantage and checked out the Bear Hotel which is not quite as imposing and grand on the inside as the outside. CHecked out some other shops too; this town has just the kind of shops I like; not too modern!

Thursday

Not only did the lady we bought our house from fail to vacuum the floors during the decade she lived here, but she also painted the bathroom in a paint that does not react well with water, so today's new thing was going to a shop called Ripples where I asked about waterproof paint. The customer service I got here was exemplary and instead of trying to sell me anything, they recommended that we get an extractor fan. (I always thought that extractor fans were for bathrooms that didn't have windows, but apparently, if you have a bath and open the window and let cold air in, that's not good either...who knew?)

Tuesday

There's been a refurb at one of our clients, so today's new thing was going into a brand new meeting room which was fresh and bright and in complete contrast to the dull grey tones from before. And was it my imagination? I thought everyone worked together much better and the ideas that were put forward were much more exciting than previously....

Monday

I went into the cafe by the canal. So cute! Wanted to stay but had lots of work to do, so bought a piece of shortbread and ran home!

Sunday –petrol station on other side of road!

Saturday

Best Western dry cleaners

Friday

Cowley near Oxford for work.

Thursday

New thing was work in Exeter and then Redruth, and then I stopped off in the town centre itself where I went into the most incredible shop that sold vintage clothes and furniture. My last new thing for the day was going to the Baptist Church to vote.

Wednesday

New thing was lots of shops and petrol stations on the way down to Cornwall and meeting my sister's gorgeous new puppy Bertie.

Tuesday

Went to Chichester and went into shops there, including the Body Shop where I managed to spend £8 on £28 worth of toiletries without even being aware of what happened.

Monday

Got up really early to help out with the Alzheimer's Society stall at the Crafty Craft race before the finals of the Battle of the Band contest:

Mortdelamer

Kinky Boot Beasts

Parallax

Sunday

Watched Men who stare at goats.

Saturday

New thing was going to the Hobgoblin pub near Cowley Road and the most incredible charity shop I have ever been into –Age Concern right opposite the o2 Academy which had an eye-popping collection of 70s gear. And why was I in Oxford? To see my favourite band, the Levellers who were supported by the Last Republic who were great.
The Levs came on to 100 Years of Solitude followed by A Life Less Ordinary, Burn America Burn, Outside/Inside, Together All the Way, Exodus, Before the End, Three Friends, Too Real, Prisoner, Men-an-Tol, World Freakshow, Carry Me, Forgotten Ground (I requested this and leapt like a maniac for this! Not sure whether they played it because I asked for it, but very, very happy to hear it!), Barrel of a Gun (with its fab new intro), Come On, Cholera Well and then Beautiful Day, Dirty Daveyand the incredible Devil Went Down to Georgia. Amazing night as ever!

Friday

New thing was going to Avenue formerly Bar Cuba. It’s a bit of a funny spot for music thanks to its layout and shape but was buzzing as it was hosting the Battle of the Bands competition. I was again, astounded at the standard of music, particularly bands called Red Flag, Mortdelamer and Parallax. But then we had to rush back to Mr Sthgnew’s friend’s birthday party from which we had sneaked out.