Hi

I've just returned to UK after living in New Zealand for 5 years, where we went to a lovely little Steiner school with a wonderful group of parents, a fantastic organic food co-op and local organic shop. I've come down to earth with a bump and seem to have landed in the most expensive, non-green, no organic shops, no green parents, plastic everywhere, part of England, where everyone thinks we're odd because my children don't eat chicken nuggets! I'm desperate to meet some like-minded people, particularly for my 6 year old twin girls, and for me to restore my sanity.

I'd also love to hear from anyone who knows of a good natropath in the area. Or a GP who also uses alternative medicine. Do they exist?

Please contact me if you're anywhere near Henley or Marlow.

Hi
Im not too far away - Thame.  It is a kind of strange area. I went to steiner kindergarten as a child and would have loved to have sent my daughter (aged just 7), but none round here. Woodcraft Folk (afterschool alternative to brownies/scouts etc) are great, but again you may, like me, not have one nearby.  Friends of the earth groups are good too. I just go for the best I can. Carys goes to school down the road, I shop at the market, again down the road, on tuesdays, theres also a nice child friendly natural cafe here. I also go to a place called the practice here for aromatherapy massage and reiki.  Im sure if you look hard enough you will find something, and some people, along the right lines nearby. but probabaly not as idyllic as it sounded in nz!  Get in touch if you would like to meet up sometime.  I try not to drive when I dont have to, but do have a vw camper which makes people laugh when I turn up to meetings at hotels in it! I would be happy to come your direction sometime.
Daisy

Hi Daisy

It would be lovely to meet up. It's half term next week so maybe we could come up and meet in your lovely natural cafe. I know my girls would love to meet your daughter.

My husband, by the way, has been hankering after a VW combi for 20 years, he adores them. We rented one last year and did a tour of South Devon and Dorset which we all loved. I think we'll do the same this year.

Anyway let me know if you're around next week.

Cheers
Joy

We are coming to Marlow for a wedding on the 23rd Feb.  Looks like a lovely part of the world, we are going posh and staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  We are coming on the Saturday by train and will be looking for something lovely to do nearby on Saturday afternoon, and a nice place for lunch.  Any recommendations ladies, as we have never been there before?

If you have a car, there are some beautiful little villages between Marlow and Henley, typical English country villages. They do loads of filming round there for things like Midsommer murders, vicar of dibley, etc.  I think the nicest village is Turville. There is a lovely pub there for lunch, the Bull & Butcher (really good food although not cheap) with a nice garden, and from there you look up the hill at the windmill that was in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. You can climb up the hill to the windmill (can't get too close as it is privately owned in someones garden) and from the top there is a fantastic view of the valley. This is also a nice place for a picnic. (Waitrose in Marlow is good for picnic food)

Other nice villages around there are Hambleden, Freith, Skirmett and Fingest. All have pubs with food and gardens, although I haven't tried them. There are loads of lovely walks around the villages. If you can get hold of an ordenance survey map it has all the walks. From Hambleden you can walk through the woods and then down to the river Thames to Hambleden lock and weir. If you're up for a long walk you can walk all the way in to Henley from there. Henley has a few usual high street restaurants for lunch, the Cafe Rouge is nice and cosy.

If you want to stay in Marlow, there is a nice park right by the river, and you can walk along the river from there. Marlow high street is quite pretty, with a few chain restaurants - Zizzi, Pizza Express, etc. There is also a Natural cafe. There is also a pub called the Royal Oak which is a mile or so North of the town centre. It does lovely food, again not cheap, and has a great garden for kids.

Actually the river is the lovliest part of Marlow and Henley so if you can get out in a boat with a picnic you'd see the best of it. I know you can definitely hire boats in Henley, not sure about Marlow. I can find out if you want.

Let me know if you want directions to anywhere or any info on boat hire. Have a great weekend.

Cheers
Joy

Thanks Joy, will try and work out what we can fit in .... its really helpful