walk a-musing

Monday, May 29, 2006

Scarecrow Trail

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On Sunday afternoon I went for a long walk, a really long one. I walked along the Thames for about an hour, till I reached the Sonning village. I had heard that the village was very picturesque, and it sure is! The cottages are so very pretty, sorrounded by even prettier gardens. The names of the cottages seem to have jumped out of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple stories.




I found it surprising that one of the houses had a scarecrow on its roof. why is a scarecrow needed in the middle of a village? A few steps down the road, there was a huge stuffed pig and a stuffed dog peeping out of the upstairs window of a house. I assumed it was an inn decorated to attract passersby. A further few steps away, there was a life size doll of Mary Poppins hanging from her umbrella under a roof. Are all houses in this village adorned with stuffed dolls?

The Simpsons

And then I saw this board:

SONNING VILLAGE SCARECROW TRAIL SUN 28th & MON 29th MAY 06 from 11am - 5 pm. Over 70 Scarecrow characters to spot- from Postman Pat to Ali Gee ! 5 lovely Village Gardens Open. Church ’Fun’ Floral Display. All day refreshments. Plant Sale. Trail Map & Gardens ticket £3 per adult per day. FREE PARKING. Great Day Out for all ages.



The event was organised to raise money for a children's playground. The British seem to have very innovative ways to raise money for different causes!!



I can't help but appreciate that so many households have enthusiastically put up the scarecrows in their yards, or on the footpaths outside their house in aid of the community.

Message from a bottle

I wonder what the royals would say if they knew that the people had put them up as scarecrows!!

Prince Charles and his wife

I just had to return the next day to show the Harry Potter, Eliza Doolittle, Wizard of Oz scarecrows to my son. This time ofcourse there was no question of walking (According to Google Earth I had walked more than 12km to and from home the previous evening). I had to drive.



Had a good time walking around the village and eating 'Walls Magnum' with friends !

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14 Comments:

  • At 3:21 AM, Blogger rajeev said…

    Lovely pics- must have been a nice experience walking down the trail even if its 12 km long. My son is a potter fan - see if you could post a photo of Harry as a scarecrow :).

     
  • At 8:31 AM, Blogger starry said…

    That was cool. INovative way to raise money by this community. I think the Royals will be delighted that they are raising their own money.

     
  • At 1:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    This is quite the cool...looking at how much you enjoyed it...I am sure ur son had a ball too!!!

    :)

    Awesome...quite innovative and fun !

     
  • At 3:55 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Nice pictures.

    That was quite a long walk. I should be walking too, just that I am too lazy.

     
  • At 4:15 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    That was a piece with a difference. Great pics...But I, being the hardcore Harry Potter fan, was scrolling down for his scarecrow..I agree with Rajeev, see if u can get that one.

     
  • At 10:46 PM, Blogger rajeev said…

    A friend of mine lives in Woodley and he enjoyed the trail through your description as he couldn't do it himself becasue of some other commitments. I believe he would be visiting your blog regularly.

     
  • At 11:44 PM, Blogger Anu said…

    Rajeev, Thanks, also for introducing a friend to my blog! From Woodley too! :) I am sorry I coudnt take the Potter pic. It was too crowded and it was beginning to rain....Btw the trail was not 12km, my walk was!

    Starry nights, I suppose the Royals wouldnt mind being thought of as scarecrows by their people if it is in a good cause! haha!

    Chandni, Yes he did! Specially the icecream!

    confused, Walking? Youngsters should be jogging!! :)

    Rajani, Thank and Sorry about Potter's picture!

     
  • At 12:56 AM, Blogger Shruthi said…

    Lovely! How innovative! So many interesting things happening all over the world... and we don't get to know! Unless, of course, we have someone who takes interest in everything and enjoys sharing it with others!

     
  • At 1:48 AM, Blogger Swathi Sambhani aka Chimera said…

    scarecrow trail... sounds like an amusing idea.a 12km walk! u seem to have much stamina.

     
  • At 3:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    v interesting post and beautiful pictures. you must be really crazy if you have walked 12 kms alone....anyway i really appreciate that.

    the post started like a fairy tale....`i walked for one hour and'... fortunately there was no any witch ;)

    v must have enjoyed it a lot. if i come to your place, i will do nothing but take walks :)

     
  • At 10:18 AM, Blogger Enigma said…

    good pics

     
  • At 9:59 PM, Blogger PRIDERA said…

    Very nice pictures ... innovative way of raising money.

     
  • At 12:17 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Vow! Very innovative! So much time and interest devoted by the people.

     
  • At 2:47 AM, Blogger Anu said…

    Shruthi, At your service! Anything out of ordinary will be reported!

    Swathi, It is just a matter of habit. keep walking, and gradually the distance you are capable of walking increases!

    bru, Crazy? Then you dont know the pleasure of solitary walks. Gives a lot of time for contemplation. Start out with any kind of agitation in the mind, after a long walk, you come home as serene as a Buddha! Try it!

    Enigma, Pridera, Vidya, Yes very innovative! Thanks!

     

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