Nearly time to go

The sun shone today, and it looks as though it will be for the next few days. Typical, isn't it? I get ready to go away as the weather finally limps into a summer of sorts!

Excitement, mixed with a high degree of disbelief that I am finally going to see my daughter, is reaching fever pitch in the House of the Rocking Chair. There are about 4 things left on the list now, and one of them just happens to be "Pack". Um, yes. That would be good. I have travelled a lot, and I am good at packing. I always put out everything I think I might need, and then take half of it. I can get by with very few clothes on holidays. Diana assures me that they do indeed have shops, so in the worst case scenario, I can actually buy things I need. And exploring different shops will be great. Sigh. I cannot believe I am really going. Me. Right around the world.

It has been good too to have the time to relax here at home. It has not all been racing about and sorting things. There has been time to simply sit in the rocking chair and do nothing. I cannot tell you how much I have needed that! Sometimes I fill up my days to overflowing, and then wonder why I become ratty. The older I get, the more time I need to reflect a little and relax.

So much to be thankful for.

1. The friend who made it possible for me to go to NZ
2. The prospect of a holiday with all of my children
3. The friends who are looking after our home
4. The friend who is taking us to the airport
5. The joy I am feeling right now

It is time to put away all the other "stuff" for a while. It can wait. Life is all about living right now. It is today that counts. Cliches I know, but true anyway. We are going to make some memories. Happy fun ones. I can't wait.

The miracle of the telephone

The telephone is a wonderful thing. Especially when it is really cheap to call friends across the water. I spoke to Morning Glory at Seeds from my Garden yesterday, for the first time, and I am still smiling.

The woman I have grown so fond of became real. She has a lovely soft voice, and clearly smiles a lot. I could hear it in her voice. I know things that she thinks about and wonders about, yet I had never heard her speak. In a way, I know the inside, but yesterday, I got to meet the outside too. How special is that. We chatted away as though we had known each other for years, and it is so nice to have an added dimension to what I hope will be a long friendship. The time before you call is the worst.... what if she is not happy to get a call.... what if I can't think what to say... what if there is a silence...

Well, none of that applied. Morning Gory is a champ. She heard me and said... oh my.... Linds! And that was all it took. 40 minutes flew by and so help me, we would still have been on the phone, if my son had not returned home and (loudly) interrupted the conversation! And now we know we will meet up next summer. So much to look forward to!

I like phones. Especially when they make me smile.

Guess what................

Guess what arrived in the post today ALL THE WAY FROM COLORADO???????????????

The recipe cards from Barb which she made for Mandy's wedding!!!! I was so excited when I saw the envelope with the US stamp on it.

SO

AND THEN......

I called Barb to thank her. On the phone. And spoke to her. I SPOKE TO BARB! Well, after we established that I was not someone from eastern parts trying to sell her something, that is. And it was just so lovely to hear the voice of someone I feel I know via the wonders of our blogging world. We discussed whether green tomatoes are unripe or a special kind, as we had both read Boomama's latest post. And I asked the questions re baking soda vs baking powder which I am never sure about when I am following an American recipe. And we just talked. Sigh. It was lovely. In fact, it has made my day.

Barb, it was great to talk, and thanks again!

Medico-legal mush and friends

My life is speeding up. Things are happening, and the timing could be better. In the middle of my class today I had a call to tell me that a tentative inquest date has been set in October. That means loads of calls and lawyers, and papers and insurance and dealing with "stuff". I know October is far away, but so much needs to be done before then. But at least I know it will be this year. And as one of my wise friends said, just hand it all over to the lawyer and let them do the work now.

The trouble is that I have invested so much of me in the fight till now. So many hours of research, reading, learning and asking questions. I have to take all my notes and papers to the lawyers to be copied and I am finding the thought of letting them out of my sight a little unsettling. I am weird. I know. I need to know that they will involve me in the development of the case. I need to know that I won't be sidelined or marginalised. I need to know that what I think and know counts too. Does this make any sense??

But my friends want me to be in a place where the sole responsibility is no longer just mine. As in, there are others fighting for me. I can see this will be beneficial. But the control is the one thing I have kept. When it is just me doing the fighting, I know I have to stay focussed and keep working. And before you all start telling me to read what I am writing, and remember that I have to let go and trust, (as I keep saying anyway) I KNOW. It is just difficult. Do as I say, not as I do. I know. I know.

It just matters more to me. I am my only medical case. My only legal case. I do not have hundreds of other clients to sort at the same time. I only have mine. I have researched the law firm I have chosen. I have done my homework. So why do I feel as though I know better? I clearly do not. It is like looking at your child's first teacher and thinking.... hey, what do you know that I don't? I know my child better. You will know the feeling well, I am sure.

So here I am, and I should be working and I can't. Too much crowding my mind. I am in medical expert mode. And fledgling lawyer mode. The mother/teacher/daughter/sister/friend mode is off somewhere else. This is not good. I need to trust. Letting go is not easy.

On a lighter note, my friends, Jane and Derek, are here in England on holiday, and were close enough for me to go and meet them after school. I met them at Stowe, and took them to the canal museum at Stoke Bruerne. We crossed over the canal at the locks, and sat and had coffee as we watched the narrow boats moving up and down. It was not raining. This was a pleasant change!

We are lifetime friends. The kind who pick up where we left off, no matter how long it is since we were in the same place at the same time. Our boys grew up together. Jane flew over for my 50th birthday, you know. What a wonderful surprise. She came all the way from Cape Town, a day after she finished radiation treatment. With no hair. How amazing is that. But she is well and happy and bubbling over with the joys of life. Just the person I needed to see today, and how thankful I am that we could get to see each other, even though it was just for a couple of hours.

Rain , rain, stay away........

The weekend is nearly over, and the rain has stayed away for today at least. I cannot describe the torrential rain that has fallen over the past week. Roads washed away, flooding. The carnival was washed out after the parade. I did go up for a while, clutching my umbrella....(I have a couple of brain cells still active!) and I did take some photos. Lots of people, but then down poured the rain, and I , along with the rest of the village, headed for cover. Fortunately, Pete and Glynis live close by, and so I arrived for coffee.

Today the sun shone periodically, and after church, I went to join my friends for Annette's birthday tea in her garden. Cakes..... slices..... merinques.....cream.....fruit salad.....Pimms..... coffee and tea. A slice of summer. Add that to my friends, you have a very happy mix indeed. The final of Britain's got talent is just starting at the moment, and I am really hoping that the ordinary man wins. The 6 acts in the final are all great.

I think I am close to making my decision re work. I have needed some time to think, and now I am at the stage where I want to make plans. You know, I have made some epic leaps into the void in the past year, and so far, I have never been let down. Those arms are always there to catch me, and I really believe they always will be. I am the first to acknowledge that I was in a position where I had little or no choice back then. I had to jump. My survival instincts were out in force, and I did a fair amount of clinging to the clifftop by my fingernails. A lot, really. Mega amounts, if I am going to be truthful. I am a control freak. Once they were prised off the rock, though, and control was wrested from my manic grip, I had no option other than trusting. I learned a lot. So here I am about to leap again, and this time I am taking run up to the edge. None of the wimpy thing this time.

One more person to go on the show. I can't stand the suspense. I think I may have o-d-ed on TV this weekend. I feel the need to do the ironing to avoid the suspense. And I loathe and detest ironing. I just happen to like things that crease. Like cotton and linen. I am rambling like a demented flea. I need a life. Lewis Hamilton won his second Grand Prix. British sport has something to cheer about. Andy Roddick won the Artois championship in the run up to Wimbeldon, so America also has something to cheer about. Paul is about to sing Nessum Dorma, I think.

LATER: PAUL WON!!!!!!!!!! HE GETS TO SING IN FRONT OF THE QUEEN AT THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE! AND £100 000.

Half-term is over

The holidays are at an end, and I am not ready to go back to school tomorrow. Too much "hard" stuff to deal with in the coming days, not least what I will be doing next term. I have some tough decisions to make and am no nearer to making them. I have appointments with lawyers arranged, and it will soon be the anniversary of Geoff's death, and David starts his exams tomorrow, and Mum needs me around more, and ......... oh well. This is life at the moment. No-one said it was going to be a doddle, did they.

After a week of diabolical weather, we have had 3 stunning days of sun, and we have made the most of them. There are no guarantees in England when it comes to weather! Friday was gardening and allotment planting day. The rabbits are having a banquet down at the allotments, and I had to go and get fencing for the new veg we planted. Jean and David and I rigged up what we hope will be rabbit-proof barricades, and so far they have not been able to get in. There was a good deal of laughter as we tried to get fencing to stay straight. (Add that to the new skills pile.)
Yesterday was lovely. Time to relax and enjoy my family and friends.

This photo was taken yesterday while I watched the babes swim in their new play pool in the sun. There was much shrieking of delight, and water splashing and ice-lollies and suncream and sitting chatting to my friends as we watched the fun. Many smiles. Water + kids = happiness. The simple things in life. I took many, many photos!

In the evening, we went to my friend, Tessa for supper. She has the most beautiful garden, and we just love going there. Here are some cows in the field next to her house. Diana will remember them well. They once chased her across the fields.

So you get to see a little of the English countryside. And cows. It was wonderful sitting out in the garden, and listening to the birds. And cows. And I swear I heard a donkey, but there was no sign of one. So maybe it was a cow. (It did make a very strange sound.... very un-cow-like.

Today has been lovely. After a wonderful church service this morning, I went to the monthly shared lunch, at Nicky's place. We all take plates of food to share, and there are usually about 8-12 families who get together. More sitting in the garden, more photos, and more laughter. We all used to go to the same church, and have moved on to many new ones, and this is a way of staying in touch, and we so enjoy it.

And then tonight, after a snooze this afternoon, we all went to Peter and Glynis for a BBQ. So I have done NO cooking this weekend, and have been spoilt rotten. Being able to be outside is always great. And being with special friends is even better. We interrupted Matt's afternoon sleep when we arrived, and I did say I would post a photo of him here, but I will keep him in suspense a little longer.

So, it is back to normal tomorrow. I have a great deal to be thankful for, I know. And I am, believe me. There are just some mountains out there which look very steep and treacherous at the moment. And the trouble with mountains is that they come in ranges. With lots of peaks. Oh well. One at a time. And summer is here.

Anyone know how to stretch weekends?

I said I loved weekends. I do. The trouble is that they are too short. I want another one now. I just opened the lesson plan template to start writing lesson plans, and thought, no. Not right now. It can wait till later. Or very early tomorrow. I am not in the mood.

Andrew and Ann arrived shortly after I got home on Friday, and I spent a lot of time just looking at this child of mine, who is now 30. Hmmm. Yes, he is still the child I gave birth to. Just all grown into a man a long time ago, with his own personality, ideas, beliefs, values. If I met him today, I would like him. He is interesting and immensely intelligent, and still manages to deposit all his belongings all over the house, leaving a trail from the front door. It is reassuring that some things never change! The boy is still in there somewhere.

I would (or could) have slept all morning on Saturday. Mum woke me with coffee at 8.30 so I dragged myself out of bed. Reluctantly. And then issued the edict that everyone was going to go and dig the allotment. 3 line whip time. Mum too. So off we all trundled in the allotment car. This is a cunning plan to compensate for the fact that the previous allotment holder has yet to give me the keys to the sheds down there. I keep all the tools and equipment in Geoff's car, and we use that to go down to the allotment, hence the Allotment Car. I am a genius.

David and I rolled about with laughter at Andrew's disbelief at the size of the earthworms, and bugs. As Ann said..... he is not at one with nature. But we all got digging, and as usual, David and I managed to maroon ourselves on an island in the middle of the digging area. Everything is growing beautifully, and there should be more rain, so it is looking good. I planted all the beans as well. David is amazing, and incredibly strong. He is used to the physical work now, and his brother is not. Nor has he any intention of getting used to it. Unless he visits me, that is. I require my sons to dig. That is why I had them. Of course.

The men came home to watch the FA cup final, while I took Mum to the garden centre to get petunias for my baskets and pots, and then, so help me, we all fell asleep. The football was mind-numbingly boring, even for the fans, and we all know how much I LOVE football. I don't think so. Fortunately, someone phoned, so we managed to wake in time to go out to dinner.

The World's End was great, and we met Pete and Glynis there, and had a happy evening together, celebrating Andrew's advanced age, before coming home, and nodding off in front of the tv again. I need something to give me energy, it seems. As a matter of fact, I called my friend Ros on Friday night at 9pm, and we were discussing how sad it is that we KNOW we can phone at 9pm on a Friday night, and we will be at home. Tiling floors. Snoozing. Whatever. We clearly need to get a life. Or lives.

And then today, I shot out of bed early to tidy the house on the run, before Colin arrived from Heathrow. He lives in Australia now, but we all grew up together in Cape Town, and our Mums were best friends. I had not seen him for 9 years, and we had a great time catching up. I also managed to almost serve him pasta with carbonara sauce, before Mum realised it had bacon in and he was vegetarian, so I had to zoom down to the shop to buy an alternative sauce, at the point where I was actually dishing up the food. Not clever. But, it all worked out. They chatted amongst themselves while I ran about like a headless chicken. Nothing unusual, then.

Now we are back to normal. The house is still recovering from the sudden influx of people, and the dishes are piled up, but who cares. I had a great weekend. One more week till half term.

Ho hum..... I am sitting here waiting for an email to arrive, with photos taken this weekend by my son. They have been swallowed out there in the ether. Patience is not my best quality. Correction... the lack of it is my worst quality. Now where did I put that axe???? Eureka! It has arrived!!

Crystal- I can't remember where your blog is. I want to visit..... can you please leave me a link in any comment section? Thanks!

Pacing and prayers

I have cramp in my leg and it is driving me nuts. I know, I know, my mother keeps telling me not to sit on my feet, but I always curl up in the chair, with my feet tucked under me, and then I can't walk when I stand up, and am the cause of much mirth to my family as I totter about trying to restore feeling to said feet. This is now interrupting my pacing, which I am doing as we all wait for updates on Heather. I should be in bed. I can't go till I know she is ok.

So how does a complete stranger come to be so important to me? This , my friends, is the power and blessing of the blogging world. I read the comments on her blog, and I know I am one of countlss numbers of people who have marked today by holding Heather and her family up. Together we can storm the gates of heaven, for the best of reasons.

All the minutiae pale into insignificance, and at times today, I noticed that things that would normally irritate me intensely did not matter. I didn't snarl at the kids I teach (in the face of considerable provocation)... I was calm. I worked, planned coursework, voted, went to a birthday tea, did the weekly shop, and I was, and am, grateful that I could do them all.

Inspiration

If you want find out how to adjust your attitude and therefore your day, read this. (March 22nd post). I got my emailed "Catch of the Day" when I switched on the computer this morning, and how timely it was, after the miserable time I had yesterday. What a reminder. You will not be surprised to hear that today was a good day, and it had nothing to do with chocolate either.

The phone has not stopped ringing all evening, and that could have a great deal to do with yesterday's post I suppose. In fact, that has just this minute ocurred to me. I am rather slow I admit. It is late. My entire family has called. So have a couple of friends, and one popped in for tea as well. Hmmm. The power of the blog at work. Still, it was lovely to talk to everyone, whatever the reason.

There have been a number of people talking about what friendship really means, and I have every intention of posting about this soon. There is one thing that springs to mind at the moment though, and that is something I read a while back about friendship being for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

This makes sense to me. I have had friends who came into my life and then drifted out after a while, and usually, our friendship grew out of a need. Theirs, or mine, and they were the friends for a reason. Both gained while it lasted, and then the reason faded away, and so did the friendship. Sometimes, the ending was a sad surprise, but in retrospect, the reason becomes clearer.

Then there are the friends for a season. Those are the ones whose lives follow similar paths to yours for a time. Perhaps friends made with similar interests, like sports, or school gate friends, but when the commonality vanishes, so do the friendships. Great while they last, but circumstantial friends in a way. Here for a season.

And then there are the friends for a lifetime. The ones who add so much to our lives. The ones who are there through all the highs and lows. The ones perhaps with common history. The ones who see beneath the veneer. The ones you run to when the hurting is too bad. The ones you call with joyful news. The ones who are so close, they are like family. My best friend lives in New Zealand. My closest English friend, moved to Scotland. Distance is not an issue, and never has been. The "A" list of friends shrinks as you grow older. It becomes the group of people you choose to spend time with, who challenge and encourage you, and whose faith in you is unshakeable. These are the people who you do not need to pretend with. They know who you are. Lifetime friends. I like the sound of that.

So there you have it. Just something to think about for now. I have a lot more I want to say on the subject, but this is just the start. Reason, season or lifetime. Maybe a little simplistic, but true none the less. I will be back.

Saturday tea

It is now late afternoon, and we have just had a stream of visitors for tea. Unexpectedly. This is the perfect way to forget a seriously foul day. Jean arrived first, followed by Pete and Glynis, and then the babes (all 3 of them) and their parents arrived too, and we sat around eating fruit cake and drinking tea, while the rugby was on the the background. The men were a trifle distracted. I love people popping in, and this was perfect timing indeed. I would post a photo, but I don't know how to black out the babes' faces. This time they actually looked at the camera, which is great for me, but I never post pictures of other people's children with faces that are clearly visible.

Anyway, it was a time to smile, and chatter, and just enjoy some special people. Thanks so much for your comments. I was asleep by 8.30 and only woke at 8 this morning.

Escape

Simon and his tyre blower up thingy

Bekah who turns 5 tomorrow

Ferries

Dishwashers

Jean's hospitality (and great food!)

Well, the bags are packed and we're (almost) ready to go. I cannot tell you how much I need to get to the mountains and stop thinking. So does David. We need to get away from the phone and the infinite number of things that crop up each day. Everything can wait now. I would prefer to be beamed up and plonked down there without having to drive for 9 hours across Europe, but that is not going to happen, so we will just head off and get there when we get there. I know what I mean.
Friends have been wonderful, and will be looking after everything here, including the beans and tomatoes of course. So I can go and not have to worry about anything for a little while. And being in the mountains certainly does restore my soul. I will report in once we are there.........

Picnics and concerts

1. Friends who can certify things
2. Picnic at Althorp
3. Nectarines
4. Music you can sing along to
5. Sons who can get birds out of the kitchen

Today was different. After a cloudy start, this evening was stunning, and hot. Pete, Glynis, Mr X (as he insists on being called to retain street cred) and I went to a Westlife concert in the grounds of Althorp. Yes. Westlife. I have to say they were very good, and polished and it was a great evening. Most of the time was spent having a picnic in the sun in lovely surroundings. We listened to Roxanne (never heard of her and not all that keen to hear her again) for 20 mins, then canned music for an hour before Westlife arived on stage. It is the whole package with the picnic that works though. Lots of laughter and fun. Meanwhile David was telling all who phoned that his mother was at a Westlife concert, with much amusement. I did ask if he wanted to go instead of me, and his response was "you have to be kidding". Oh well. I offered. And I had fun.

Middle of the night

It is 2.43 in the morning. I am wide awake after 3 hours of sleep. It is also Sunday, and that is the one day I can stay in bed a little longer in the morning. This is ridiculous. I came to see if there were any new posts to read. I have books piled next to the bed, but they don't appeal. Sigh. I am talking to myself.

Yesterday started off unbearably hot again, then we had a thunderstorm which wiped out the garden again. I looked at the 5 day forecast and the coolest temp is 28 and the hottest is 37 next Thursday. The heatwave continues then.

Cheryl, Robin and Callum popped in to see us on their way back north, and that was great. I must go to Scotland again soon. Jean also came for coffee later, and she IS off to Scotland on Monday. Tomorrow. Bekah has lost her first tooth, and they are off to see grandparents today. This is the time everyone scatters. Holidays are here. Liz and Jon are in Ireland. Annette and Andrew are in Canada. Louise and Peter are in Scotland. Nick and Helen are in Greece. Cathy and Tony are in France.

Right. I am either going to sleep now, or I will get dressed and go for a walk. Or start clearing cupboards. Or bake a cake. Or re-arrange the furniture.

Paperwork

1. Nice people on help desks
2. Mint cornetto
3. Unexpected phone calls from distant friends
4. Encouragement
5. Weekends

I hate paperwork. Especially when it involves making calls to Singapore. Lots of phone calls. I have spent the last 2 days wading through paperwork with singular lack of enthusiasm. Some people I have had to speak to have been absolutely lovely, and extremely helpful. Others are beyond belief, like the woman at our satellite provider who insisted that unless I could provide a password, she could not help me. Password I screeched? What password????? She needed to deal with "the person named on the account". He's dead I yelled in an undignified fashion. That is why I am calling. Password please???? I wanted to crawl down the phone line and do some serious head bashing.

Then I was told that doctors sometimes take 7-10 months to return paperwork to the Coroner. More screeching of disbelief. Sigh. Do not assume I always screech. Just sometimes. The paperwork has to be done. I just don't want to be doing it.

It is hot and humid and I am wiped out. Margaret popped in for coffee and provided some much needed light relief, and I dropped in briefly at Bekah's 5th birthday party. Lots of little girls dressed in party dresses. Musical bumps. Pass the parcel. I felt old again. They were so sweet! And I had a call from my friend Gill in Zimbabwe, who offered to come over and stay for a while if I needed her to. I am so lucky to have so many friends there for me.

Flying dogs and other things

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Help
4. Advice
5. Love

What an unreal week this is. Have you ever felt like you were a stranger in a foreign land that you do not want to be in, not able to read the signs, speak the language, and with no road map?? That is what it feels like.

But.... the house is full of cards and flowers. The phone rings all the time. Friends pop in and have been wonderfully supportive. Diana is home, and she and Katherine have been enjoying having the luxury of time to catch up, and there has been laughter, as well as tears. Seeing the babes again was great fun. Plans for Tuesday are coming together, and I am learning rather fast that accepting help and asking for advice is the only way to do things. We will muddle through. It is unbelievable how in the space of a few hours, everything in your life can change.

Today Morgan, K's dog (not the calmest dog in the universe) decided to leap out of a first floor bedroom window into the garden, and the first Katherine knew about it was when someone rang the doorbell and announced she had just jumped. She was running about in the garden, and after a visit to the vet, was pronounced healthy. No broken bones or internal damage. She is, however, a little stiff. Flying dogs. Give me strength. After watching her head-butt my display cabinet and do a twirl on my coffee table yesterday, nothing surprises me any more.

Beds, Friends and all the rest

1. A bed in the John Radcliffe
2. Strangers' blogs which say what I need to hear
3. The success of my young friends
4. Skype
5. Cheese on toast

Bone weary. That is what I am. But Geoff is now at the John Radcliffe in the hands of cardiac specialists. What a relief. I spent most of the day at the hospital here just waiting for a bed to be found for him. I didn't care where it was, just as long as they had the appropriate experts on hand. Now the operation is the next hurdle.
My friends are great. Val popped in today for coffee and brought me some home made jam because she knew I didn't know how to make it. Jackie popped in for coffee this evening with a bar of chocolate to share. Just what I needed. My mobile phone beeps all day with messages from family and friends, and the phone here rings all the time too. I am so lucky.
Tomorrow is the start of graduation season here. Matt graduates tomorrow, followed by Dan on the 11th, Jenny on the 12th, and Christopher on the 13th. Cause for much joy and celebration. Katherine is off to Washington in the new year too for 3 months as part of her PhD.
Roger is in the semi-finals at Wimbeldon, and the garden is attempting to recover from the storm yesterday which caused a power cut in the village. The rain was so heavy that it caused a flood at Nick and Helen's home. Just the sheer volume of the water. It also stripped all the flowers in the garden and flattened bushes, and broke branches on trees. The hail was so heavy I thought the skylights would break. Andrew passed the exam he wrote today, and France beat Portugal. That is the news from middle England for today.

35 Degrees

1. A cool breeze
2. Fridges
3. A shady tree
4. Answered prayer
5. A voice at the other end of the phone

Today I took Diana's shoes to Basil, who is heading back to Wellington. It was so nice to meet someone who knew her in her New Zealand life, and to hear him say such lovely things about her was a delight. I am biased, I admit, but it is great to hear! We sat in the garden with Meg and had a cool drink and chatted for a while.

Andrew and Ann have been and gone. Apart from seeing Geoff, they watched the football and went for a walk this morning as well. We had a BBQ last night.

Today was stiflingly hot. If you sat in the sun for a while, the heat dried the sweat as it poured. If you went inside you dripped. Yes, I know it sounds particularly fetching, but believe me, it was unbearable. I considered putting my head in the freezer.

There was a shared lunch at Jean's today and the kids were the only ones with the energy to move. Everything seems to slow down. It is too much effort to move, and even thought slows to what is almost a halt. You think about emptying the dish washer. Repeatedly for an hour or 2, but doing it is too much effort. I do not envy the tennis players at Wimbeldon tomorrow. Or for the rest of the week. Let me just check.... Yes, the 5 day forecast is all over 30. Thank heavens exams are over for David. Jeans garden is perfect for parties...... lots of flat grass to run around on for the kids, and places to sit in the shade for the older ones. What a happy place her cottage is for all of us.

Visitor from the other side of the world

It was lovely to see Robert again, here in the village for a brief visit before he goes to celebrate his father's birthday. We have not seen him since he and the family moved to New Zealand 4 and a half years ago. We saw all the photos, and he caught up with all the news and it was great to relax in Harvey and Isobel's garden in the sun together. No-one seems to have changed much except for the additional grey hair! The children are, of course, another story. He had 3 new Elvins to meet!

Today was another World Cup crisis day for England. They won. Nicky had a football free house this afternoon, so Jean and i joined her and Kate for tea in the garden, and strawberries. I can definitely report that summer seems to have arrived. But then Wimbeldon starts tomorrow and we all know what that means. More strawberries, of course. Pimms. And all those legs!

Lovely evening

Today has been hot and this evening just wonderful, sitting in Tessa's stunning garden and enjoying the peace and beauty and amazing scent of all the roses. Matthew had an exeat weekend, and so we had a bbq. Tessa has worked incredibly hard on the garden, and I have to say it is possibly the most beautiful I have ever seen. And the views over the contryside are lovely. Diana's loopy cows were there too!

Good news is that Glynis is home from hospital and looking much better. However, I took Peter to A and E this afternoon with a very swollen foot, painful to walk on. He was told to rest and take painkillers and see his doctor on Monday, so that was a waste of time, but we did see a microcosm of society waiting there. Continuing the theme of breaking bodies, Tessa's foot is still swollen, Geoff was not feeling wonderful this morning and my back is still sore. Sigh. Don't say I didn't warn you!

Hodges family visit

Today Cathy, Tony and Graham came to lunch. They have been on their Easter tour of the country catching up with old friends. The last time I saw Harry, he was about 3 and now he is 14. We hauled out the photo albums, and had a hilarious time rehashing old memories. (I seem to be using the word "old" rather a lot at the moment!) It was great to see them all. Cathy made the trip to Heathrow last October to say goodbye to her goddaughter, Diana, when she left for New Zealand. She has been a super godmother. It was lovely to see them all. New resolutions have been made, and this time I WILL keep them. Devon is really not that far away after all. It really is amazing how easy it is to be with old friends. No matter what the gap is between seeing each other, the conversation never lags at all. I am so lucky to have so many special people who have played a part in my life.