Friday, 31st July 2015 - Currant Pickers

I whirled myself through two room changes before heading to Hallwood Farm to pick black currants.

It is Tony's birthday today. We met outside Wards the butchers where I gave him a birthday kiss. He insisted on two more!!! 

I forgot my song sheet on our walk this evening. Tim is close to being word perfect but tends to slip into the tune from Hopping Down in Kent much to my amusement. 

Two full moons in one month and it is meant to be blue. Not blue yet.

Thursday, 30th July 2015 - Evening Sun

Take it off. Put it on. My jumper all day.

Pippa came for a coffee and a play with Hetty and Bella in their mud kitchen. She showed me some pictures of Archie who is adorable at three months already.

Bookings are coming in for 2016 which is frighteningly good but means I will be working for yet another year at least.

My planning for a future art she and competition are coming on nicely in my head.

I took advantage of Tim cooking dinner and went for a walk with Harriet through our stunning countryside. Not another person in sight. 

Saturday, 25th July 2015 - Hot Peach Chutney

The delude of rain last night has left the garden sparkling. Tim has found an abundance of energy. The grass has been cut, the wayward brambles removed, roses deadheaded, flower beds dug as well as cooking dinner from an over load of French beans.

I made a few jars of peach chutney, some party jelly and a couple of peach topped cakes. Nothing near Tim's capacity. 

Bella made a tower out of boxes which made her jump up and down with pleasure. It was a treasure to see. She also did some very helpful putting the Tescos delivery away for Harriet. Where has the naughty two year old gone. 

Sunday, 19th July 2015 - Miniature Salad

Making a curry seems such a good idea. One can prepare in advance leaving the hostess to enjoy her guests. They do take an inordinate amount of time to prepare.

While I cooked and fiddle arsed around tying pink ribbon to the napkins and wine glasses, Tim built a table for ten.

We needed some salad leaves to accompany the Bewl water trout. I had to purchase them as the slugs and pigeons have been at the ones I planted.

I had a lovely evening. Very entertaining company. It was warm enough to have a Twinkle in the garden. Just in case you were wondering Marcus, Mercedes, Ewan, Kath, Michael, Emily, Steve and Vivien joined us for dinner. I forgot the intercoursel mint sorbet, poppadums and ice cream for pudding. Stupid girl. 

Saturday, 18th July 2015 - Some Hot Some Spicy

The first day of a curry cooking fest for a dinner party we are hosting tomorrow.

The house is infused with spices. I hope the guests like curry aromas. I am not sure why or how the single night guest slipped into my diary. I have enough to do. Hey Ho at least it will get me up in the morning.

Friday, 17th July 2015 - View from a Train

We spent a charming morning with Tom before catching our trains home.

I started preparations for a dinner party we are having on Sunday. The rabbit and trout are a bit on the stiff side from a spell in the freezer.

Thursday, 16th July 2015 - From Mister to Doctor

We left Derby and boarded our train to Bradford. We settled into our prebooked seats and found Tom sitting opposite us. What are the chances? We dropped our bags at The Jurys Inn hotel then headed to the university. Tom went off to get gowned up. Due to falling tears I had to hand over the congratulations card writing duties to a tutting Tim. I can't help having visible emotions. Blimey that was a experience watching Tom graduate. It took me back to Harriet's - I was a bit of a weeping wreck at that too.

We met with Tom's friends I the local pub to celebrate with many drinks followed by a amazing curry for ten. 

We went to bed very proud parents.

Wednesday, 15th July 2015 - Terry, Enid and Tim

Once guests had departed we headed off to Derby on the train. Tim likes a crusty roll snack. Because I could not provide the correct bread (homemade brown was rejected), we popped into Waitrose (got our free coffee) and purchased a French stick. Back to the car where Tim produced a chopping board, bread knife, ready prepared egg, sliced tomato, shredded lettuce to be wrapped in cling film. I was amused and impressed.

Terry and Enid collected us from the station. We went shoe shopping in Derby. I liked the flowery trainers but could not decide which I preferred. On Tim's advice I bought both in a size bigger than ever before. I have the opposite problem to Brenda and seem to be growing as I get older.

We had an enjoyable afternoon in The Welchs pretty weed free (I could have gifted them some of mine in many varieties) garden followed by dinner. They entertained us with stories of many adventures. 

Tuesday, 14th July 2015 - Terminator at Work

I mat my long lost friend Sarah in Cocolicious. I was only a few minutes late but she must have been very thirsty as she had already had a coffee by the time I arrived. We managed to talk through four coffees, one tea and a Portugese pastry. All donated to us by the lovely LouLou. I was pleased to find sparkly pink ribbon to decorate glasses and napkins for an upcoming dinner party.

Back home and I tackled the garden. I was very surprised and delighted to find French beans of an edible size and quantity. Hetty got to work with the washing up liquid in a spray to rid them of black fly.

I have started packing for our trip to Bradford. Got knickers. What else? It will be lovely to have a few days off from work.

Monday, 13th July 2015 - Fairlight Sea Defence

I have been feeling rather odd today and it has manifested itself in a sore throat. I am hoping for lots of tender love and attention.

Tim and I went to see our mothers today. One has her tea cup half empty, the other half full. I suppose that means between them they make a full one. Brenda has had a bone density scan. All is well apart from losing four inches in height. She did say that her trousers seemed a little long.

I have just watched a horrifically sad film called Harry Brown about gangs in London. 

Sunday, 12th July 2015 - Verbena

Federa disappointed me by not winning Wimbledon.

I am concerned about the status of our bees.

But the flowers in the garden are pretty.

Saturday, 11th July 2015 - Vintage Cars and Morris

Our 94 year old guest from New Zealand has recently acquired an iPad. Following breakfast Tim gave him a very very patient tutorial.

The MG was washed ready for The 1st Classic Northern Tour with the Weald of Kent Morris. The heat of the day caused five or so vapour locks on our trip to the first put. Grinding to a slow halt caused waves and smiles in the country lanes but further north on a roundabout we got verbal abuse and a bottle thrown at us - nice.

We toured three pubs. The Swan on the Green at West Peckham was my favourite. We did a bit of enthusiastic overtaking the other classic cars and the 1929  Charabanc  and missed our turning. Retribution for showing off comes to mind. None of them gave me orange I my Campari so when we met up with June and Barry at The Chequers in Laddingford I resorted to wine. The afternoon provide much dancing entertainment, a bit of sunburn and delightful company. A truly decadent way to spend a Saturday.

Friday, 10th July 2015 - Jurassic World in Hawkhurst

It is very unusual for Tim and I to go out just the two of us. This evening we did. Jurassic World in 3D entertained us for 124 minutes. A thoroughly enjoyable film.

Thursday, 9th July 2015 - Calf Control

White bread, fried bread, eggs - poached, scrambled and fried. Sausage, bacon, mushrooms and tomatoes. Bring it on!!!

Before Harriet went for her run she took me for a walk. There were a lots of calves across our footpath. They seemed much less of a concern from the other side of a fence. 

Today was one of those days I just could not throw off my grumps. It was not helped by a bee hive inspection that seemed to reveal no brood - even I know with my limited knowledge that this could be a bad sign. I have made contact with Michael for help yet again. 

Wednesday, 8th July 2015 - Effigy of Christ

An evening spend with the Weald of Kent Morris AND Cinque Ports. What more could a girl ask for?

This bug was on the kitchen wall this morning. I thought it looked like Jesus on his cross. Come on use your imagination.

Tuesday, 7th July 2015 - Excellent Male Model

I have pottered about today. Nothing much has aroused my attention. The tennis was rained off so my ironing pile is mountainous. I did a bit of gardening which is always ok after I have gathered together my many tools and located the wheelbarrow.

Thank goodness Harriet reminded me it was our last life drawing class this evening. Tim and I managed a smooth car transition. Harriet ran and I picked her up at Cranbrook Windmill. We had a new male model this evening. He had his back to us for one pose and Harriet wondered if we could just spend our time looking. She is so naughty.

Monday. 6th July 2015 - Guess Who is in the Bee Suit?

I may have been rather impolite to my guests facially this morning following a request for fried bread and white toast. Two things i do not supply without notice. Tomorrow, they can have both tomorrow.

Tim and I visiited Albans Barnyard for a bee keeping lesson. They have three hives and a nuc box which seems a lot to care for. Si showed us how to extract honey. I knew it was not simple but it is a rather longer process than I anticipated. Our knowledge is increasing but we have a way to go. The best part of the trip out was riding Si's tractor.  

My new phone now has its nano simm card and is up and running. I need to transfer some music. How does one do that?

Sunday, 5th July 2015 - Hetty Graduates

A second morning of abandoning my guests at the breakfast table. This time I left Tim in charge. i had a very important appointment to attend to. Hetty had her graduation from preschool at Mr Noah's. it was a light hearted church service which involved the children building an Ark our of cardboard boxes. i managed to just about control my tears to a discreet few.

This afternoon we had an hours window to visit Sarah at Tentertainment. Following a rather wet morning the crowds seem to be building. Hetty and Bella got their sweets after eight days of waiitng. One major disappointment was that I missed Coco and the Butterfields playing. Harriet managed to track Coco down after I left and got a gorgeous photo for me. 

Saturday, 4th July 2015 - Squirrel Pate

My pores have been getting a damn good work out over the past week or so. Blimey it's humid.

I heard there was a storm, thunder and lightening last night. I love a storm. I slept through it.

I am finding breakfast a most confusing affair. Twice I asked my guests what they wanted. Twice I sort of forgot. They got an approximation with an apology and kindly seemed happy. My mind does wander of its own accord.

I threw some bread out for the birds. I was amused to see a squirrel taking a slice. My brother made pate out of squirrel. Doesn't sound that appealing to me.

Friday, 3rd July 2015 - Chaos at Cocolicious

I had to abandon my guests who got on rather well and spent over two hours at the breakfast table.

I have had a swollen painful wrist for about a week and thought it was time to see the Dr. I was chastised that it was not the joint I was pointing to. I have repetitive strain injury. Rest is the cure. Running a bed and breakfast prohibits this. So I have a pack of 56 anti inflammatory tablets. I got home and found Tim has a virgin pack. How irritating. I paid £8.20 for those....and so did he.

Harriet, Hetty, Bella and I took a unplanned trip tip Cranbrook. We needed to pay a visit to Cocolicous for tea, coffee, babychinos, a slice of rose cake and a piece of blue cake. Their frogs had a lovely sticky time.

Tim and I met Alan in The Woodcock. It was his birthday. We celebrated with a couple of drinks. I am still loving Campari and soda but have not found a pub that serves it how it should be with a slice of orange. So I have more research to do.

Thursday, 2nd July 2015 - Justin Brown

Last night was incredibly warm for Benenden.

Sleeping with an open window, uncovered and naked means that there are some satisfied  mosquitos this morning.

The cooling temperature and rain has returned some of my vitality.

Tim is back from Atlanta. 

Nadal and the gorgeous Brown played a fine match of tennis to amuse me while I ironed bedding.

We had a Bewl trout in celebration of Tim's return. A caper and lemon dressing helped to foil the rather muddy flavour.

Wednesday, 1st July 2015 - Life Drawing Tryptich

It has been an overly sweaty day. Cooking breakfast was a hit experience and one that I am glad is infrequent. They told me on the news that it was the hottest recorded day in July.

Slowly I went about my household tasks with frequent tea/coffee and water breaks.

The cat brought me half a dozen shrews in succession while I was cooking breakfast. Harriet wondered because I was binning them on arrival the cat thought I had eaten them and went out to gather me another. Possible explanation. It amused us anyway.

Harriet and I went to a life drawing session this evening. My Peugeot said is was 30 degrees which seemed a bit of an exaggeration. On our way home we stopped off at The Bull to check The Weald of Kent had performed their duties to a high standard in Tim's absence.