Not a typical Sunday!

Here in the UK, the clocks went forward one hour but at least we are not burdened with the permanent "summer-time" of the early Seventies or the double "summer-time" of the War years.

Fortunately, the clock on my computer changes automatically - a good reminder! - so there were not too many clocks to adjust (several electronic devices had not been altered last October - no wonder my friends say that I am the most eccentric person they know!); just one problem, the winder on my watch is stuck so it will have to go back to the watchmaker who fitted the new battery last week - a boring, but necessary chore ...

The lost hour saw me rushing to get ready for lunch with friends at a delightful pub in one of the pretty villages on the outskirts of Bedford. We had delicious roast beef and yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings including perfectly steamed vegetables, followed by a wickedly indulgent treacle tart.

Driving back in the afternoon sun, we were talking about how the area had changed.

There are many pretty villages particularly to the north of Bedford where any new development has been well planned to preserve and fit in with the character of the original village - not something which can be said about parts of Bedford itself where developers ran amok from the late sixties until the early eighties.

Over the last fifty years, massive housing developments, excellent schools and a good train service have transformed a sleepy market town into a haven for commuters. However, Bedford town centre retains many original features with imposing Victorian houses in tree-lined avenues and along The Embankment overlooking the splendid gardens alongside the river Great Ouse which flows through the middle of the town.

Sorry, I will stop before this turns into a travel guide but you will probably hear more about Bedford in future posts!