The weir path reopens as temperatures reach 16°C

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The air was warm and sunny, and in Abingdon temperatures reached 16°C — the warmest day of the year so far. In the Market Place the outdoor seats were in demand. A group of touring motorcyclists rolled in and parked up together. In the centre of the square a busker sang Dirty Old Town. I don’t think it was intended as a comment on Abingdon.

Daffodils are coming into bloom in groups. The weir path has reopened, restoring the circular walk that had been cut off by high water and a walkway risk assessment.

Beside the Thames the floodwater has begun to retreat. Where it has slipped back from the meadows, the grass and walkways are smeared with mud. Vegetation has a tidal smell — like seaweed left behind when the sea goes out.

Pothole Peak

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It is the anniversary of the last time I wrote about potholes. Time passes. Potholes do not.

Once again we reach that point in the year when everyone is steering more carefully, scanning the road ahead. February seems to be peak pothole season, if the press coverage is anything to go by. Some people have begun putting plants in potholes. Ruth told me today potholes are a ‘National Scandal’.

Through autumn and early winter, water seeps into small cracks in the surface. When temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands. Traffic weakens the area. A small crack becomes a larger one. Over time — maybe several years — the surface gives way and opens up.

The High Street is currently one of the most broken-looking stretches of road. It drains poorly and carries heavy traffic, which is not a good combination.

But it is not alone. Caldecott Road is well potted. Two cones mark two of the holes. Others are outlined in white rectangles. A few remain unmarked, waiting to surprise the unwary.

The Homebase Signs Have Gone

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It is hard to say exactly how the refit is progressing as the former Homebase store is transformed into a M&S Foodhall at Fairacres Retail Park. Most of the activity happens out of sight. Contractors enter through a turnstile gate at the rear.

What is clear is that the Homebase signs were there a few days ago.

Now they are all gone.

There are already M&S Foodhalls in Oxford and Didcot, but this one has the advantage of being closer to the A34, making it convenient for passing trade as well as local shoppers.

As for Homebase, all their stores have gone.

The Ock Street Bus Shelter with Its Own Biosphere

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The Victoria Road bus shelter (on Ock Street) has been in place for nearly a year, having been installed by Abingdon Town Council. Unless you are in the habit of inspecting bus shelters, you may not have noticed anything unusual about it. At ground level, only a green fringe is visible — a hint that something botanical is taking place above your head.

From above, however (from nearby flats or the upper deck of the X2 bus), the roof reveals a small ecosystem. It is carpeted with vegetation, mostly sedum — a low-growing succulent that thrives in dry, sunny conditions, requires little maintenance, and does not need mowing or feeding. The plants absorb rainwater and provide nectar for passing bees.

The dry, straw-like remains of another plant suggest the roof may be quietly biodiversifying. Whether this was planned or is the work of a botanical hitchhiker is unclear, but it is interesting to discover that a bus shelter can develop a biosphere.