Entertaining Elderlies.

We have just spent several very happy days with my brother Trevor and my 'sister' Viv staying here with us.  We don't get together very often, but when we do, we always have such a good time.   Having known one another for SO many years, we have endless memories in common, and reminiscing about times gone by over drinks and special occasion meals is a real joy.

Not that we spent all our time sitting about - far from it.    The weather was hot and sunny from start to finish (what splendid weather for Glasto!!) and we certainly made the most of it.   We played a round of golf (Viv's first since all her nasty problems with back, leg, and feet!) and didn't play half badly.  We 'did' Cheddar Gorge, stopping in amazement to watch a young woman climb up (and down) a really steep cliff;  we visited the Bookbarn and came out loaded with books; we spent time watching the sailing on Axbridge Reservoir (Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club); we toured the 'Scarecrows' at the nearby Village Festival; and spent a happy afternoon here in our own village, visiting the 'Open Gardens' and enjoying cream teas in the village hall.

The highlight of their stay was definitely the day when we drove over to Wales, crossing the Second Severn Bridge which glowed and glistened in the sunshine.    Kerry was in great form, and having shown us all round her new home, we spent the whole afternoon around Langland Bay and up beyond the headland.  It was a really unusual experience to be able to sit out on the cliffs in warm sunshine, and enjoy a lazy meal on the deck of a super beachside restaurant - not something that is possible too often in this country (well, we were in Wales ....)   After tea and Kerry's homemade cakes back at her lovely airy flat, we left about 8 o'clock, chattering animatedly all the way home about the really happy day we had spent.

Before the pair of them left us to drive back to Norfolk on Sunday, we sat discussing how quickly the time had flown, and how much we'd managed to fit in.  As well as much else, Trevor had helped John to fit up my new water feature ('Walter' sprang a leak just before he was out of guarantee, so we were able to obtain a nice new one AND have a considerable rebate too!), and he had cleverly managed to banish the mark on my car door - what a lovely brother!       We all agreed that we had taken far too many breaks involving lots of sickly cakes, and resolved to seriously set about dieting the very next day - NOT!

Singers and Sunshine

We have just spent a super sunny weekend down in Hampshire with the Lampards, and really enjoyed a terrific evening at their local church for the Summer Concert given by the Wherwell Singers. Of course our main interest was to see Kim taking part - one of the greatest joys of being a parent or grandparent is to be invited to see them perform, whether it be in a stage production, a choir concert, a rugby match or whatever.

The programme was a great mixture, from Monteverdi, through Tallis, to Gregorian themes, a song from each country making up the British Isles (eat your heart out Alasdair - Loch Lomond would have got your kilt swirling), and much else. The church was full of a really appreciative audience, and the singing was SO lovely. Afterwards we had the great pleasure of being invited to a party back at one of the choir member's homes - and met some really interesting people. Such a perfect way to spend a warm June evening.

Next day was Fathers' Day, so after a delicious brunch we all went off to the pretty water meadows around the River Test - mainly because the kids were dying for their Dad to try out their F.D. present - a couple of balls which apparently bounced on water. ..... And bounce they did, providing much entertainment for us all. We stopped off at a local pub for much appreciated refreshments, before wandering back through all the families out picnicing and barbequeing amongst the buttercups on a really hot summer's day.

Once back home we all lazed in the sunshine on the lawn, enjoying our Pimms and dips, most of us ending up with more than a healthy glow! Then it was inside for a real feast of a meal, and plenty of wine, to help celebrate the two Dads.We left this morning having really been spoilt rotten, and on the way to collect a pot of the local honey we couldn't resist stopping to admire a nearby cottage smothered with roses. June is certainly 'busting out all over'.

Thank you, ALL of you, for making us so very welcome. See you again soon. xxxx