Keeping a watch on prices

Well, I'm still a fortnight behind, so had better press on. A short while ago, my Rotary watch stopped. I had been anticipating this as I had been getting signs that the battery was running down. I had taken it in to a town centre chain jeweller where I often get new batteries, but after leaving it there for 20 minutes went back to be told it wasn't the battery, they had tried anew one and it still didn't work. I would need to get it serviced which would cost about £80. Having found watch straps much cheaper online, I decided to check the internet.
Roatary would do a service, much cheaper but I also found somewhere in Tring, which did Rotary servicing, so on Monday29th, we decided to go there after lunch. We found the place fairly easily, I had rung in the morning, and been quoted £42.50, quite a difference. I explained the situation, and the symptoms, and the lady said, 'Would you mind if we just checked the battery, just give me 5 minutes'.  I was very pleased when she came back and said it was the battery, and was just a few pounds. She said they jeweller's assistant may have put the battery in upside down! We thanked her, and decided to go off for a walk around Tring town centre, it was a showery day, so we didn't mind being in and out of shops. There are still some old fashioned hardware shops there,and they don't seem to mind browsers, and we bought a couple of small items. During one particularly heavy shower, we went into a charity shop. Almost immediately I spotted a children's book high on a shelf and the title rang a bell. I got it down and opened it, and yes, it was my much mourned Treasury, which at sometime been thrown away, probably when we moved from Birmingham to North Wales. I recognised some of the stories straight away, so of course I had to have it. Despite its age it is in quite good condition (a bit like me), and I have enjoyed re-reading the non PC stories from my childhood.

Later we called in to see Daughter, who has been feeling a bit low lately. I can well remember the days when I had a lively toddler, and another on the go and into everything. Daughter was glad to see us, and we played with the children for a while. Nathaniel chatters away, I can't always understand him, but I can remember a friend once saying to me, 'You will them to talk, then occasionally you just wish they would shut up.'
Lydia has been concentrating so much on her mobility, she can now climb stairs, that she has only just bothered to say 'Dadada' and 'bababa'. Previously if we tried to prompt her we would just get a huge gummy grin. Now however there seems to be a tooth coming, she has also learned to wave.
On the Tuesday I rang my insurance company, and complained about the difference in quotes. I was told they could honour the quote I got on the comparison website, so please, if you have been with a company for a while, get a comparison check when you get your renewal documents. It could save you a couple of hundred pounds. I popped up to see Daughter again, it was a better day.

Butter wouldn't melt

They are so alike

stairs here I come

Wednesday I went to weightwatchers, hadn't been for weeks, but I'd only gained half a pound. I have been struggling lately, as I'm still not getting enough sleep, and when my energy dips I hit the carbs. Not good I know. I had to leave early to take my car in Fords had rung me about the MOT,and I told them that I was dissatisfied with them, as they had put some things as advisories, and when I got them checked at Discount tyres, was told they didn't need doing. So  I took it to the local MOT centre, and walked home from there. I took the Focus to Sainsbury's, and whilst there got a call to say one of those jobs did need doing. Confused, I said ok go ahead. Husband had gone out for a walk, and he appeared at the checkout just as I was paying, he had hoped to arrive in time to help me pack, he had seen the car on the car park.
After lunch I drove to the wedding photographer's in Harpenden, then to Daughter's as one of the photo's was for her. Whilst there I got a call to say my car was ready. The job hadn't needed doing, the part hadn't quite been fitted straight, so they had straightened it out a bit. Problem was I now had 2 cars, so tried to persuade husband to come up and collect his, he did set off walking for a bit then it rained so I had to collect him, then he came in for a while to Daughter's, then we both set off in our our respective cars for home.
Thursday was quiet, I caught up on my blog, then went into town to buy a card and a box of chocolates for a birthday.

I had been invited to a Birthday breakfast for J, by the lady who cares for her. J has dreadful memory problems, and Friday morning I managed to find her flat. I didn't know most people there, and by the time I had reminded J who I was she had probably forgotten again. She had 5 children, one is in New Zealand, one in France, I'm not sure where M is, her son is fairly local,and the youngest one sadly died. We had nice time chatting then eating, then played pass the parcel. J won the game, then wanted to know why she had got the present,and when told asked if we were still playing. I took my leave, as she was being taken out for lunch. I thanked her carer who does an amazing unpaid job.  J is on the waiting list for sheltered accommodation but I think she needs more of a care home, as she forgets to eat.

Birthday girl

Later that day as we ate our mackerel.husband felt acutely unwell, and was unable to continue. I guess that's mackerel off the menu for a while.
Saturday  I went shopping on my own walking into town husband still felt ropey. I had bought rather a large leg of lamb which was reduced, so had invited the family for Sunday Lunch, the first time since my operation that I have cooked for more than just the 2 of us. The local bus company have totally messed up- the buses. rearranged the timetable, so not as many buses go up our hill, but  managed to find one that did. reading the timetable there are about 2 that go the other way to one that goes our way, it's totally mind boggling.

Nat enjoys relaxing  in the garden

Lydia on the go as always

Off on our travels again

A week last  Sunday, we had someone preaching who has quite a lot of contact with Jewish people, it was interesting to hear how he has opportunities to speak of the gospel. Otherwise  it was a fairly lazy day. We had a few spots of rain too. In the Monday husband went into town to the hospital, as they have started routine scanning in men of a certain age, for what is known as triple A, abdominal aortic aneurism. It can be a silent killer, not everyone has symptoms and sometimes it is picked up when men or even women are being scanned for something else.
I went into town with him as I needed to go to couple of shops. We parked in Asda, as it's cheaper than the hospital. It was another hot day, and husband was hoping that the scanning gel would be cold, but it wasn't. He rang me when it was over, it had hurt a little as they had had difficulty finding the aorta, 'due to intestinal gas', but they said his aorta was normal size.
We met up and went round Asda, picking up a few bits that we can't get elsewhere, and spending enough to get a refund on our parking ticket, then we came home. Tuesday, first thing I had to take my car in to have some corrosion dealt with, it wasn't too far, so  had a pleasant walk back. Later I had an appointment at the building society, as I had been trying without success to upgrade our current account online, to one which pays interest. I was busy upstairs when the phone rang, and the guy was asking if I could go in earlier, as he had to rush off home. So I went in,and he went through all the rigmarole, only to tell me that he couldn't do it without both signatures.
Home again, and later I managed to update the account online. I think I must have accidentally pressed the 'new account' button last time, rather than the upgrade button. I also got my car insurance which had gone up yet again. I determined to go online and check out  a comparison before I said 'Oh yes', to the quote.
On the Wednesday we packed and set off later than we should have done to visit Mum in Law. It is 8 weeks since we had been, she had said it was ok, as long as I helped with the cooking. Fair enough, she has never wanted help before. We stopped at our usual place for lunch and arrived at about 2.30. later we went for a walk into the village, as husband had forgotten to bring his usual green tea and coffee supplies.
Mum In law said she had had an offer of help with her housework, and had decided to take up the offer, she said she was not managing as well as she did. I went to make a cup of tea, and got some milk out of the fridge. She doesn't use milk, but sometimes keeps some in the freezer for when we go. My first thought as I got the plastic bottle out was 'Oh dear, this hasn't defrosted well', so I shook it up, and as I opened it the realisation dawned that it was the milk we had had accidentally left behind 8 weeks ago. Mum in Law said, ' Oh dear, I'm not managing, I forgot to buy milk'. Husband rushed back into the village, to get milk, and I asked her if she was coping with living alone. She said 'Well I will when I get help with the housework'. She said she doesn't want to go into a home, and nor do we want her to, but we cannot do anything unless she decides for herself. Ideally we would like her to come back here, but that would be quite an upheaval, so those of my readers who pray, I covet your prayers for wisdom.
Her oven is not good, but I managed the meat, and she peeled the veg, and I used her pressure cooker. I know it's not easy for any woman to hand over her kitchen to someone else. Husband did the washing up, and we went to bed, her bungalow bedroom is cooler than ours, so we managed a reasonable night.
The next day we were up early, but still didn't set off out very early. She was hoping her gardener would come. It started off as a dull day, bit brightened up later. We took a wrong turning, and ended up going to the garden centre first, where she had vouchers to spend. I found a 'slug bell', which is rather pretty, and less hazardous to kids and dog than my usual liberal scatterings. Then we drove into Eastbourne, had lunch in C&H fabrics, I bought more wool, then we went in a few shops. I would have liked a skirt from M&S which had been reduced online, but my size out of stock; in the store, all the summer stock had gone, and the autumn and winter stuff was in. I do not appreciate this in a heatwave in July! I also needed a new bag, as the lining had split in mine,and the stitching was coming undone, but nothing I liked at a price I liked. One was £79, and when I looked inside, it wasn't finished properly, so I told the manageress.

Interesting clouds over Little Common

 

Mum in law

Later we took Mum in Law to her favourite supermarket. I was excused at first, as I thought there was a Hobbycraft  nearby,but when I got there, they were just filling shelves, and it hadn't even started trading. I went back, and took over the trolley pushing, as husband wanted to escape to Homebase. Whe he returned, in time to help pack the shopping, he said the water feature we bought had been reduced even further. It s solar powered, so doesn't keep going all night.
Back to the bungalow, Mum in law was quite tired, I helped with the meal again, and managed to get the pork steaks just right.  We tried to get sunset pics at the local beach, but we were in the wrong place. We had a reasonably early night, and again slept fairly well. During the day I had run a 'compare the market' check, and found that I could get my insurance a lot cheaper, even my insurer was offering me fully comp for £126 less! So if you have been with the same insurer for a while it's worth doing a check.

Sunset reflected in clouds

Add caption

Over the bungalow

Friday morning we helped Mum In Law trim the tops of the forsythia hedge which helps give her some privacy. I stood on a platform to do it. before that however we had to search the shed and the garage for the charger for the hedge trimmer. Later it was found indoors! Next time we go, we must help her sort some stuff which needs to be taken to the dump, she cannot get there alone. I also offered to go down and help finish papering the hall, a job which was started over 4 years ago, but she said she thinks she will be able to manage it once she has some help with the housework. At getting on for 90, I don't think she should even try. We had another walk round the village, Mum in Law didn't come she was complaining that we had walked her too far the previous day. We took a different route back, and managed to pick up some stray bits of hedge trimmings, so that the big man with the big dog wouldn't turn up on her doorstep and complain. When we packed, husband couldn't close his case, as the lock had jammed. So we were later than planned setting off, and stopped for lunch at a very busy services. It was slow up to and including the M25, as it was the busiest weekend of the year, the start of the school holidays.
We had a lovely fish pie, which we had bought at the M&S at the services, then reasonably early to bed. Saturday, I colleted my car, they had done beautiful job on it,and really cleaned it up for me. I had to call and collect aparcel, some metallic shoe polish I had found online, which was a perfect match for my sale price Van Dals, which we slightly scuffed. We went into town and decided on a M&S mel for 2 for £10, more fish, but hey they say it's good for the brain.
That evening we had a torrential downpour, it came down so heavily that the road at the front of our house became a river. The problem is that the council don't clean the streets as often as they should, and debris clogs up the drain covers.

Our road transformed into a river

Trying to get the whole picture

Oh dear, sometimes I wonder if I will ever catch up on this blog. Monday the 15th of this month was a busy day. I had my 6 monthly appointment with my osteopath at 11.00 am, then after a quick lunch we went over to our old church in St Albans for yet another funeral. C had been diagnose with breast cancer a while ago, she had been treated, but the cancer had returned. After more treatment, she seemed to be doing fine, but then suddenly collapsed from a pulmonary embolism, she was rushed to hospital, but sadly did not survive, she was only 50. Being Christians does help in a situation like this, because we can see God's hand in it, although we may not understand it.
Her husband and 2 boys, the elder only 22, put out a statement that they believed that by her sudden passing, she had been spared further suffering. Pray for T, J and J. They will miss her so very much. The thanksgiving service was a testament to a life lived for Christ, and people spoke of her as a lovely friend and Christian. I knew her from being in the same area fellowship group and the coffee mornings we had. Husband was  with her husband on the sound system rota, we still fondly remember the last minute calls asking if husband could fill in for him. It was a good service, but the music is far too loud, and we were sitting upstairs.
We didn't go to the commital, but caught up with a few friends Then we headed for Watford. Husband was a bit uncomfortable in his suit so left the jacket in the car, it was still so very hot. We discovered that J L have opened a mini Waitrose in their store, so we popped in to buy bottles of water.
Unfortunately, my HP camera had been refusing to work lately, it was emitting a horrible buzzing noise. I checked online to see about servicing it, but that would have been almost as expensive as the original cost, so I had been looking online for something similar. The staff in JL camera dept were very busy, and so we went off to the local specialist camera shop. I described what I was looking for, a compact digital with a viewfinder. They only had one in stock, which I found a bit too small, the reaction was 'Oh well that's the way that they are going'. No 'well we will see what we can find and order in', they attitude was more like, 'If you don't like what we've got-tough'.
We made our way back to J L, and I went in Lakeland, they had some Dr Who stuff, and I decided that one of the mugs was a must for Son in Law. In J L the chap on the camera counter was very helpful, he knew the type of camera I wanted, which had recently been discontinued, looked it up, checked if they had any stock, and gave me the model number, so that I could track it down. So very helpful.
So we came home via Daughter's, she was pleased to see us as usual, we gave her the mug, and she said she might swipe it herself. I reminded her that we had an appointment the next day, and said what time I would be round to her house. We had a cuppa, the came home. Later I looked up the camera on the internet, found there was an even better model, and paid for express delivery.
Tuesday, Daughter and I went to visit her wedding photographer, we had to take both of the children, and Nat had fallen asleep in the car. We transferred them to the double buggy, but couldn't get it in the door, so we had to find a shady spot to park Nat, as it was another scorching hot day. One of my photos had got water in the frame and spoiled and there were other copies we wanted too. However it wasn't easy looking at them in a small space, so we ordered and paid for some and the photographer said he would look into putting them on a disc for us.
Daughter wanted to go shopping, so I phoned husband and said I would go with her, to give her some help, it was lovely being in the air conditioned store, especially by the fridges and freezers! I pushed the trolley, and she picked the stuff, then as she had to go and change something, I loaded it all on to the conveyor belt, and she packed it. Home again and I helped her carry it all in, and the babes, then came home to a husband who was too hot for anything.
Wednesday we got a message to say that the camera would be delivered. I skipped weight watchers, husband stayed home whilst I did our supermarket shopping, more blissful wandering in air conditioned aisles. No sign of a delivery when I reached home, then  got a message to say expect delivery between 19.00 and 20.00 which seemed a tad late.
8 pm and no delivery, I was so cross! Husband checked online,and we discovered that the driver had claimed no one was in, he has left a card, and had reported back to the depot at 19.59. The first was wrong, after checking with the neighbours,and my front door, no card had been left, no one was answering phones at the depot. I rearranged the delivery online, the next morning phoned to complain. I told the chap in the depot what had happened, he said he couldn't understand why we had been allocated such a late slot, when I pointed out that the journey from here to the depot was at the very shortest 56 minutes, he agreed that the driver hadn't tried to deliver, but said it was definitely out for delivery that day.
I went out for my usual walk to the shops, we had been given a delivery slot between 12 and 1pm. At sometime after 12, the camera was delivered by a delightful man who admired my front garden and said how lovely it smelled. Husband was quite impressed with my camera choice, and it slips easily into my bag, so I will be ready for photo opportunities. I was able to take it to to the women's hour lunch held at someone's home. another lovely house for me to  admire. The lady even has a hobbies room how cool is that? Later that day, I got a call from Daughter. they weren't sleeping well, because of the heat, so when the children  were both fast asleep, she decided to take a nap for herself, she was woken by an apparition, a little boy covered in what at first appeared to be paint, but then she discovered was food colouring.

 

some of the ladies who lunched, and the garden

In her tiredness, she had forgotten to check that the landing stair gate was secure, and Nathaniel had woken, gone downstairs and got into the baking cupboard. Flour, brown sugar, biscuit moulds and food colourings had been liberally scattered over the kitchen floor,and there was an interesting new pattern on her beige sitting room carpet. She had scrubbed Nat clean, and he had promptly fallen fast asleep, exhausted by his artistic efforts. she wanted to know if he could have come to harm from anything. he had admitted to eating 'sand', (brown sugar). I said that the alcohol in the colourings was minimal, and the only real problem was if he had got flour on his lungs. He didn't appear wheezy, so that seemed ok. Fortunately his Dad was home in time to help clear up.
The next day, I answered the bell,and a delivery driver was just about to drive off, he said 'I've left you flowers',and sure enough there was a huge box. A lovely bouquet, sent from Interlink Express by way of an apology for the failed delivery.

Nathaniels' cake making efforts

The bouquet, fully open

We did most of our shopping that day too, so when the call came on the Saturday, asking if we could mind the little ones whilst the parents hired a carpet cleaner, we said 'ok', as we had sometime to spare. I gave Lydia some lunch, we played with them and later took them to the park. Apparently, the carpet came up quite well, happy days!

Lydia enjoys lunch

Lydia asleep in the park

Fearless Nathaniel climbs the slide (he's not even 3 yet!)

Back in the old routine

Well we had a much better journey to Heathrow to pick up the travellers,  than a fortnight before.  It was a smooth run, but at terminal 5 you can't just pick someone up, it's like Stansted, you have to park. We made a note of our floor number then got the lift to the floor where arrivals is.
We didn't take too long to find the place, although the terminal itself is huge, and I got that slightly panicky feeling that I might get lost, or miss P&E. As we stood there my phone rang, as I answered it, I looked up and there just passing in front of me was our Son. I called out to him, and he inadvertantly took the long way around the barriers to join us..
Of course his wife was with him. We took the lift back up to the car park, loaded the car, parked the trolley and set off home. They chatted about the holiday, and the flight. I asked if they had eaten and they said only a small sandwich they were given before the flight. They both said they were starving. I said we were heading to the M&S at the petrol station, to pick up some croissants so that they had more choice for Sunday breakfast, so we could get something there. I wasn't hungry, as we had had a small barbecue, just one burger in a bun each, salads and 2 sausages. Husband had his sausages in a bun, but said he was hungry, so we bought ready meals, and I just got a wrap.
The meals were soon ready in the microwave,and I brought it all through on trays to save pulling out the table and raising the second leaf. Many travellers tales ensued. The dog of course had been ecstatic to see them and was soon climbing onto his mistress's lap. We were relieved of the last walk before bed. Whilst they had been away the weather here had go hotter and hotter, so I don't think they had too comfortable a night, defnitely no duvet. I had replaced our sheet and duvet with 2 cotton sheets and a blanket for emergency chills, but we have barely had the top sheet over us.

I didn't have a lot to do on the Sunday morning, as they had promised lunch out as a thank you for having Tom. We had decided to try a local carvery, Daughter and Son in law were coming too, with the little ones. It probably wasn't the best carvery I have ever been to, the air conditioner was right over our table, and not only kept us cool, but made the food go cold too. The chap in charge of the carvery had disappeared, and when he deigned to appear, was a bit stingy with the meat. There were huge Yorkshires which I declined, and lots of veg, but only beef gravy, not so good on ham and turkey.

However it was fun being all together, and the little ones gave Son and his wife a taste of what they have to look froward to. Lydia was being fed orange coloured goo from a jar, and Son was marvelling at how far it managed to spread over her face then into her hair. When she reached out an orange hand towards his nice clean shirt, he moved away so fast. Nathaniel meanwhile got so engrossed in his ice cream dessert, that he forgot himself and we ended up with a puddle on the floor and seat, oh the joys of toddlers. Daughter grabbed a pile of paper napkins, and some cleaning stuff from a trolley, and cleaned up, apologising as they paid the bill.

We went back home, the young people gathered their stuff together, and packed their car, Tom jumped in, and off they went. Husband and I crashed out a bit, in fact husband didn't wake till 6.10 pm, so we didn't make it to the evening service.

My pots blooming

everything beginning to come out in the front garden

Close up view of the roses

Monday wasn't anything special, just stripping the spare bed, washing bedlinen and towels, thankfully it's good drying weather now. Then I took 2 lots of bedlinen and shirts to be ironed, my shoulder still protests if I iron too much. I had asked daughter if she fancied going to the big garden centre, and we had agreed, but I couldn't get hold of her on Tuesday her mobile was playing up, so we drove up there.  She was having a difficult morning with the children, so was glad to see us and glad of a trip out.
We had lunch in the cafe, but sat at one of the outside tables. Nat had fallen asleep in the car, so he was tucked up on a chair with a cushion for a while, whilst Lydia was being fed. He woke and ate his sandwich, and then we went to get our trolleys, only to find that someone had nicked ours, so husband had to go right back through to the outside to get another. We bought compost,and I wanted blue flowers to give some colour balance in the back beds. I found a lovely delphinium, verbenas in a bluish purple,and some lobelias. Last year I found blue and white salvias, but have found none this year.
Nathaniel thoroughly enjoyed himself, flitting between the 3 of us, running chatting, laughing, all the others shoppers were smiling at him. he was fascinated with the fountain, and called it a 'mountain', but when I gently corrected him, said 'yes it's a fountain'.
We stopped off at their house to leave some compost we'd had in our boot then came home and I planted out the delphinium,and started on the others, hot work this weather. Our house is such a warm house, we've been having a fan going in the sitting room nearly all day most days. Wednesday afternoon I called in on Daughter again to see what sort of day she was having. I'd been to Sainsbury's in the morning as usual.
Thursday I made it to women's hour, it was book reviews, but although I had started a book I hadn't got beyond the first few pages, so couldn't review it. Friday it was the annual fund raising coffee morning at the house in Dunstable with the railway in the back garden. Husband has not been before, but seemed to enjoy himself, he loved the garden railway, and was envious of the size of the garden. afterwards we went into Dunstable  to the Christian bookshop, where I bought a few sympathy cards, as it is so difficult to get anything with  a Christian message on them these days. Husband bought a book, then we drove home over Dunstable downs, then to the local garden centre for more bark for the side front bed. I restricted myself to an orchid pot as one of my orchids needs repotting. Husband bought two miniature standard roses to add some height in the front. Later, I walked to Sainsbury's, then to Homebase, and had to call husband to pick me up as I bought a hanging basket of fuchsias. he insisted on going in the store himself, where he found a half price water feature for the patio.
Saturday we had a church anniversary, with a young man speaking who grew up in a our church, but is now a pastor elsewhere. At tea there was a farewell to one of the elders who has served the church for many years, he and his wife have moved to Wales, where they have other family, they have been commuting a lot to help with child care.
As usual at tea the table was groaning, there were more there than usual, as many who had known L & J over the years, and now live elsewhere came back for the farewell service. They were presented with roses for their garden amongst other things. On Sunday I found it too hot to go out for a walk, a very lazy day again.

Husband fascinated by the railway

one of the trains

Gliders Dunstable Downs

The Downs

Beacon from the Jubilee

Chalk paths

Homeward bound, and after

I didn't sleep too well in the Days Inn lodge, we didn't rush too much, but when we came to leave, we did as we have always done, drove round the back of the lodge, and up to the barrier to be let out onto the side road which goes under the motorway to the Northbound side, except that this time we were not allowed to. The chap said we couldn't do it, it was not permissible, health and safety, etc etc. we have done it on and off for over 20 years. Husband begged to differ having been on a health and safety course, and having been responsible for it in the Borehamwood office and the Bristol office.
We used that route last year, the manager claimed we couldn't have done and so it went on, but he refused point bank to lift the barrier, he claimed it was a private road, so in the end we had no choice but to turn around drive out of the services then back to the next junction, and off and back again to the North bound carriage way. We left at the next junction, and stopped at Cartgate picnic area for our usual bacon bap breakfast. It rained on and off on the way home, very heavy downpours. We had quite a good journey, not too bad when we got to the M3, and M25, we arrived home at about 1.30 pm.
We unpacked the car, then got together the shopping bags,and went to Sainsbury's, had lunch in their cafe and stocked up on food.
The garden was a bit over grown, the ceanothus was in full bloom, rhubarb and blackcurrant bushes overhung the path,and the honeysuckle still in bloom, had put out tendrils across the front door.
The weather wasn't too good all weekend, it wasn't easy with all that washing to do. We were welcomed back at church, where one of the preachers  had been replaced, as he had a bad case of sciatica. The week was fairly quiet, husband had a dental appointment, he had lost a filling, but now has to have it replaced with a crown, I went back to WW, had put on one pound for each of the weeks I had been absent. I was on duty at parent and toddlers, but the numbers were small.

Ceanothus

I missed women's hour as Daughter wanted to come round and use my sewing machine to do the button holes for her dress. We minded the children, whilst she sewed, and we took them out into the garden later; Nat had been asleep when they arrived and at one point Lydia joined him.
I made up the spare bed, and our son and his wife arrived late on the Thursday evening. They stayed overnight, with Tom, then the next day we left Tom in the house and drove them to Heathrow, we left at 3pm, a journey of 23 miles, but the M25 was awful, there was a lorry on fire somewhere and this was holding the traffic up. Son worked out a route which would get us there quicker, but there was a delay as we had to cross a busy main road with traffic lights
We dropped them off at 5 pm, check in time was 5.40, their flight 6.05 pm. We dashed off to try and find a services, needing a comfort stop. We went off on the M40, to Beaconsfield services, then afterwards relaxed for a while with a drink, then set off home on A roads, which was a bit more relaxing. Husband tracked their flight to the South of France, where they were celebrating 5 years of marriage, in the place where they had their honeymoon, as Daughter said, 'enjoy your last kid free holiday'.
So we have had Tom for 2 weeks he is moulting so my carpet has a constant film of black hair on it, no matter how much I clean it. We have been doing plenty of walking, husband has been on 3 long walks, we have also had two outings to Ashridge Forest with Daughter and the children. I have only managed to lose half pound so far at WW.
We have had a couple of trips to the garden centre, one when we took lunch, and I had a M&S Italian coffee flavoured milk, which produced the same effect as the coffee in Falmouth. We renewed the car tax, minded the children again for a short while, with an over excited toddler shrieking at the dog, I had to send Tom into the hall out of the way.

Lydia gives her opinion

Lydia zonked, in her new dungarees

Nathaniel zonked

Lydia in the garden

playing together

Lydia standing

The weather has been mixed, I topped up my tan last weekend, and now we are allegedly going into a 2-3 week heatwave. I'll believe it when I see it. we have spoken to Mum in law, a few times, she seems fine, but tired, but is determined to plant beans! Honestly, what would you do with her? We must arrange a visit soon, when Tom has gone home.  He is a lovely dog, one day I walked him into town, and met 3 friends, all fell in love with him. We have bathed him once as he got hot chasing the ball and jumped in the canal, husband had to help him out, what fun!

Unusual coloured paeonies

Short babyminding session

At Ashridge

let's go that way

Climbing

King of the castle

At the cafe