A Busy few days

13th March
Today I joined the members at the Invention and Discovery event in Aylesbury.The Gatehouse was a lovely venue, warm and comfortable. The speakers were all at the top of their fields and made their presentations understandable to non-scientists. We learned such a lot and one could tell everyone was listening because the questions were so good.We now know a lot more about re-cycling to create energy and were filled with wonder to see the photos of outer space taken from the Hubble telescope. Next day in the press were photos of the Panstarrs comet which we had been told about and we are on the watch already for the comet Ison in November when we hope for less cloud than this month.In the afternoon we were fascinated by the work of medical biologists seeking repair techniques for heart damage and then we were into forensics examining the evidence afforded by bloodstains.A very varied and interesting day.

12th March
Oh dear what a thought-provoking and sometimes depressing novel the local Book Group studied this month! "The Wilderness" by Samantha Harvey featured a main character's gradual slip into Alzeimers disease written from his point of view. We experienced the frightening stages while he was still well enough to realise his deterioration right through until he could remember absolutely nothing.One couldn't say one had enjoyed the read because it was so close to home but it was gripping and prompted a long discussion.The author had mirrored Jacob's state of mind by the jumbled time-line of his memories as we learned his life story.It was very well-written with some intriguing events not explained until the end.It is a book to recommend to anyone involved in the care of a family member suffering from this affliction.

8th March
The local WI members supported a coffee morning and jigsaw swap in aid of Adoption UK this morning. The bad weather this winter has obviously confined people to their houses more than usual because there was a lot of interest in the puzzles and it is a pleasant way to raise money for a good cause.

6th March
The WI met this evening when the members were entertained by one of their own speakers who had prepared a dramatised selection of poems and songs about "Women": some amusing, some sad and some factual. Plans were made for the next Group Meeting and several outings. Reports were presented on events attended and the activities of the various sections. We are very active between monthly meetings so there is plenty of opportunity to meet socially and build up friendships.Like most of Bucks' WIs we have a growing membership and are pleased to say we are keeping our members too. We must be doing something right.