Sunny.

Rather than sit at home watching the blue sky through the window I went to the supermarkets to hunt for any bargains but there was not much to be had. So now for a few more details from our visit to Vytas and Sally.

As Peter's foot wasn't up to a long forest or heath walk we headed to the historic market town of Newbury. A short stroll through the pedestrianised shopping street included Sally and myself diving into two charity shops. Sally picked up a designer dress and I bought a necklace of blue and green beads to use in my crafting.  

We soon found ourselves walking between the Kennet and Avon canal and the River Kennet. The effect of the recent wet weather could be seen by the high water levels and some partially flooded gardens.

There were plenty of historic buildings by the canal. 

Further up there were a number of narrow boats moored along the edge of the canal. We carried on walking on the towpath between fields before retracing our steps and visiting a local pub.

In the evening we went to see the film Knives Out. It was a thoroughly enjoyable film, well made and best of all it was viewed in absolute silence something that is lacking in our local cinema. It is a 12+  so there could have been children there but the 'Please turn off your phones' message before the film made a point of asking people not to disturb the rest of the audience. The cinema had 10 screens, all of a decent size with very good sound systems and reclining comfy seats with individual tables. The whole evening was an interesting experience. The cinema was set in a complex of two enormous shopping centres which also hold restaurants, a sports centre and library. After driving there in the dark and parking in one of the multi-storey carparks we emerged into what almost seemed like a scene from a Sci-fi film. The design of the levels linked by escalators consisted of curving oddly shaped white walls with inset coloured lighting in the walls and shiny floors with added sparkle from white geometric decorations hanging from the ceilings. The strangeness was enhanced by the fact that though it was the evening everything was open and the place was buzzing. I couldn't stop laughing as us oldies who have always considered ourselves used to city living from our lives in London were now so impressed by the shopping/entertainment facilities in an urban environment. Nice for a visit but I'll be happy in our seaside home far away from such places.