Slow Wet Tar

Up Victoria Road there were warnings of 'SLOW WET TAR' and 'NO PARKING SAT 28 FEB'

and along Bostock Road 'NO ROAD MARKINGS.'

Here is just some of the Slow Wet Tar getting spread at the unmarked junction of Bostock Road and Mullard Way.

The road up to St Michael's Church had by then already been tarred - apart from a small area near the top.

Where Floods and Traffic Meet

This evening half of Preston Road Community Centre had been booked for a consultation on The Vale's Local Development Framework Plan. It was not enough.

By the start of the meeting, the room inside was packed and people started to wait outside until the other half of the hall became free.

An independent consultant was there to record people's views as part of a report to be presented to the Vale. The presentation was given a second time to those who had waited outside.

Everybody then took part in round table discussions.

Why all the interest? 1500 new houses could be built in South Abingdon: an area of traffic congestion, and of flooding; and an area with a lack of amenities. People saw those 1500 houses making the problems of traffic and flooding in the area worse. There were big doubts about a proposed new road round the area.

Getting There

They are finally getting there. The pavement has been narrowed and the road widened to allow more dual queueing at the top end of Stratton Way.

The works have been delayed a little - what with all the snow and ice we have been having. Unexpected holes have appeared in roads all over Oxfordshire. I nearly lost a wheel down one in Kennington.

Shrove Tuesday... Ash Wednesday

We still make pancakes using a traditional Delia Smith recipe.


(Shrove Tuesday was once a time to use up eggs and fat before Ash Wednesday - the start of Lent.)

Window Shopping

I have no occasion to go into the Nursery Shop anymore.

They have a notice listing some of the things coming soon. It includes Retro Kids Chairs & Sofa's...

If my eyes don't deceive me they are already there.

Last of the Snow

On day one a giant snow tortoise was formed in the Albert Park, which I never saw and am not sure I believe in.

By day two it had been smashed, and a young lad with a wheelbarrow was making it into something else.

By day three it had turned into a olympic style toboggan run.

By day ten all that remained was a small pile of snow. It could be the last snow in Abingdon, unless anybody knows better.

Meanwhile, we have enjoyed a spring like weekend. The floods have gone, and the floating B&B has been salvaged. But, as the Abingdon Herald reports, it is unlikely to be a B&B again.

Making it Safe First

Initially the new owners of the Kings Head and Bell, Foundation Inns, are making it safe structurally. Old broken timbers and plaster work are being carted away in skips.

Its a great old building.

There is a lot of work needed, but it is good to see work has begun.

Thanks to Salma for the last picture.