Monday, 30th August 2015 - Morris Hat and Vegetables

We set off in the rain to The Onion Festival at The Lord Raglan in Rabbits Cross. What? Where? And "never heard of it", are a common response.

The Weald of Kent Morris danced a fine set. It was made even more enjoyable by the rain ceasing. Hetty, Bella and Harriet joined in with the last dance. The onions were judged and a cup awarded. Tim bid for a box of homegrown vegetables in the auction. We won a three course meal for two in the raffle. Alan, Tim and I helped to reduce the cakes. It really is a bizarre affair.

Saturday, 29th August 2015 - Four Framed and Four Browsers

My guests were taking a leisurely start to their day. This caused a delay in my picture framing. Really??? Five hours to get eight pictures ready and only four into frames. That was not what I envisaged. Tim was a reassuring influence as I got more and more irritated by my lack of planning. Finished, done. Well nearly, I just need to add labels.

Another day, another early evening and a very welcome drink in the pub. Tonight The Bell and Jorrocks with Nick, Suzy and gorgeous Alan. There maybe a Morris trip on the train to Italy next September. Now that sounds excellent fun.

We ate chips in the pub so we could save time by not having to cook them when we got home to go with our oven baked breaded fish and peas. Wise plan Tim.

Friday, 28th August 2015 - Correct Decision

Using my phone to predict the weather forecast has proved unreliable. Good thing we did not know this earlier in the week when I advised Tim to reschedule the concrete pour for Little Holt to today. As it happens all was fantastic. Tim's quantity calculations were spot on. It could have been an even more expensive experience as we watched the concrete flow as great speed from the mixer. Too much? Too little? Just perfect. Sounds like a quote from The Three Bears.

Foundations done.

What a glorious afternoon to read a book on a blanket in the garden. Which I did. And fell asleep.

A couple of drinks with Tony and Wendy at The Woodcock was a charming way to end the day. Tony equating Eastbourne to Orlando was an amusing conversation.

Thursday, 27th August 2015 - Bella meet Ethan

Today is the annual Dwyer family beach day. The weather started promising and then it rained and rained a bit more. We convened at Brenda's instead. A fair amount of family turned up. Ethan at four months being the youngest. The children played rough and tumble in the garden while the adults sheltered in the summer house.

On our way home we called in at Mum's so Tim could set up her Lifeline pendant. I give it a fortnight before she uses it. 

Congratulations to the Pope family on the arrival of Jasper. Harriet and I are wondering how long is polite to wait before we get a cuddle. Weekend after this we reckon.

Tuesday, 25th August 2015 - Computer Clinic

Tim is fixing a couple of rather large computers for Kell. They take up a lot of kitchen space.

I have an evening off. Yippee. The unrelenting rain prevented us taking a trip to Great Dixter. I under coated the tongue and groove in my studio-to-be and bathroom. How spoilt am I having two new rooms built for me. Lindsey dropped by and we caught up on family antics. She thinks Mum's body parts are so well preserved because they have never been used. Mum does seem particularly well apart from a little 'ticker trouble'. 

This evening we had a night out at The Three Chimneys with Nigel, Sarah and grandparents-in-waiting Si and Lesley. It was a rather disappointing affair. The apple crumble was made with Braeburn apples!!! Not only are they not English, why would you not use Bramley's. Some may feel this is a minor point but not when you are with an English Apple farmer. We were not offered coffee. This is a major minus point for me. As to the change not being given - well you should have heard Si.  So we headed off to The Milkhouse where the menu looked much better and cheaper. Sorry guys it was my decision. 

Monday, 24th August 2015 - Can't Keep Up

Tim and Brett braved the rain to cover up our newly dug foundations which were in danger of becoming a pond. The building inspector came. He did not get out the car. It was a bit wet. We were advised not to pour the concrete tomorrow. 

In a brief dry sunny spell we went on a chicken check. One is still looking a bit under the weather. Hetty decorated some of their backs with yellow daisies which brightened up their soggy feathers delightfully. One of the eggs Bella collected got broken. No one seemed surprised.

My washing machine and tumble drier cannot keep up with the vast quantities of laundry. It could be due to user error.

Sunday, 23rd August 2015 - Berries not Currants

Blimey. What a change in the weather. Back in jeans and jumpers today. Preferable to the sweating I did yesterday though.

We did some blackberry picking with the girls. The boys were busy digging. Hetty ate most of hers. May have interesting consequences. Hetty and Bella thought we were blackcurrant picking and we're looking forward to seeing Doug Sarah's dog. They were only briefly confused when we walked them to the field at the front of our house.

We had an evening watching Fringe, drinking sparkling wine and eating stir fry. Most enjoyably sedate.

Saturday, 22nd August 2015 - WoKAG Stand

Tim had an early start on the digger creating foundations for Little Holt's entrance and rejigging drains. Clever man that one.

I went to the Tractorfeat (and that is not a typo) at Biddenden to lease with the Weald of Kent Art Society. It was a massive event with more than just tractors. When I returned to the car it told me it was 40 degrees centigrade - wow that is hot.

We met Alan in The Halfway House for a couple of drinks and stories before heading to Steve's for a BBQ. Along with lovely food, company and an incredibly warm evening we tried some Piimms - a bottle of  blackcurrant and elderflower had been consumed before our arrival but we were in time for the strawberry. 

Friday, 21st August 2015 - Pink Legs

Blimey it has been hot. I found a sneaky gap in the afternoon to lie on a blanket and read. There is something a little bit sexy feeling the hot sun on bare skin.

Tim was working in London so Harriet walked with me this evening. We were very thirsty and had to stop at the pub for a quick refreshment.

My eight pictures are due to be handed in Sunday week. I hope my order for frames I placed today comes in time. Silly bugger leaving it so late.

Thursday, 20th August 2015 - Eupatorium cannabinum

I thought this pink fluffy beauty growing at the side of the road would smell delicious. It has disappointed me with no perfume at all.

I have started reading a book first printed in 1944 by Harold Speed about oil paining. He was talking about his dislike of modern abstract art which he equated to the masses swearing due to now being partially educated and not having the knowledge of vocabulary to express themselves. I sort of laugh snorted while reading as I kind of agree.

Tim has been rejecting my offer of jacket potatoes all week. He gave in this evening. I love the crispy skin and soft inside.

Wednesday, 19th August 2015 - Perennials from Jane

   I was sorry to have missed Harriet buying school uniform for Hetty. It is a big step and I remember the mixed feelings in my stomach and head when both Harriet and Tom started primary school. We took a stroll through gravestones, which caused quite a bit of discussion as to their elevation, to the park.

Cocolicous supplied a good coffee for Sarah, Jane and myself. I called in at Jane's to collect a tray of mighty fine looking plants. She had an excess so I was really doing her a great favour. I now need to provide a weed free space for them in the garden.

Tim and I took a slightly soggy shortened walk this evening.

Tuesday, 18th August 2015 - All The Way

It started in the twin room. I have had a small challenge which got out of hand in my head. A guest needed bedding washed in non bio powder . This was not a problem. It was the single night guest who slept in the non bio bed caused chaos in my mind. I presumed they would sleep furthest from the door as I would have done. Not doing so meant I had very little time to wash, iron and remake. It was a simple task that I top of all the other simple tasks added up to a unnecessary confusion, as I am sure you are now.

It was my decision as to the direction we walked this evening. I asked Tim if he wanted to go 'all the way'. He said that if I wanted to he would. So we did.

Monday, 17th August 2015 - Kath's Nemesis

My leisurely morning was stifled by the very early arrival of guests which threw me into a chaotic spin.

Kath, Chloe and Martha came to visit next door. As Kath took a wander around the garden she descended upon a weed with great dislike. It is impossible to eradicate and the leaves are too small to use chemical sprays. Nasty little beast. Watch out for it. It breaks as you dig it out and each tiny piece left behind produces another. It also has exploding seed pods that catapult themselves into all your nooks and crannies. It has a rather becoming name of Wood Sorrel - deceptive I feel.

Tim and I have both reached our Mi Band targets this evening. We took a rather lovely walk (I am still singing Nutting Girl in my head) which caused our bands to vibrate.

Sunday, 16th August 2015 - We Walk, Harriet Runs

We briefly saw Tom as he passed through this morning on his was back to Mosely. I provided him with sandwiches filled with bacon and sausages rejected by the guests.

While Tim and I were meandering our way across the fields we saw Harriet pass by at great speed.

I have had a lovely evening babysitting for Harriet and Brett. Without the television and Tim to distract me (I am not saying they are unpleasant distractions, far from it) I did loads of drawing and painting.

Saturday, 15th August 2015 - Rough and Tumble

 It was business as usual for me this morning. I do miss having a proper weekend. The upside was Tom being home. The downside was that Mum has decided not to move to Cranbrook. At least no one spent too much time on this latest venture. I thought I would feel pretty ok about her decision but I am bloody damn furious with her. Not that she will ever know.

Mark came over with George, Henry and Thomas. The girls learnt a lot about rough and tumble.

Tim has done an amazing job on the garden. Harriet has dethisled the chicken run much to their delight. 

Lottie had dinner with us. We nearly had a nasty incident with some nutty ice cream. They went off partying. Tim and I went to bed.

Friday, 14th August 2015 - Digger Trial

I was notified this morning that we won't be attending to our bees for possibly a couple of weeks. I now have a case of 'bee suit deprivation'. I did try and tempt Tim into his today but he said that if Michael said they were ok to be left then that is what we should do. Damn the advice of an expert.

Tim and Brett continued with work on the bathroom. Carpet and boards have come up and gone down again. We now have a hot and cold water supply - non leaking too which is excellent news. I could now have a bath but there is no outlet for the water so I may wait. 

Tom is home from Birmingham for the weekend. We had beef, wine and lots of catching up. I hope he is ready for an early awakening from Hetty and Bella who are very much looking forward to seeing Uncle Tom.

Tim was been learning how to master driving Mike's digger.

Thursday, 13th August 2015 - Improvised Frozen Costumes

Hetty starts school in just a few weeks. Harriet, Bella and I took her uniform shopping. There was a slight discussion over shoes. The patent ones are very appealing to a four year old until you find out the ones that Mummy and Grandma preferred have flashing lights.

On the way home Harriet and I were treated to a song from Frozen. Muslins make excellent long hair.

Wednesday, 12th August 2015 - Before Alan's Sock Fell Down

It was the last Wednesday evening of dancing out for the Weald of Kent Morris this season. It started not so well with the MG being low on fuel which caused it to complain, misfire and come to a halt on a narrow lane in fading light. The rescue services were called but cancelled as Brett brought us a can of petrol. Never leave your MG tank less than half full. It was taken home as a punishment and we took the Peugeot arriving just as the dancing finished. Some days are buggers.

But the singing was great. Alan was most productive with his songs. Suzy sang delightfully as did 

Vivien. Tim and I after a month or so of practising were ready enough to sing Nutting Girl. Malcolm knew the song and thoroughly enjoyed singing it. Another time maybe.

Tuesday, 11th August 2015 - Time Will Tell

Lindsey and I accompanied Mum on a viewing of a McCarthy and Stone apartment. It is perfect for her but she has to be very brave to make the decision to go ahead.

Harriet took me for a walk. I could not remember the tune to Nutting Girl which I would have loved her opinion on. 

Monday, 10th August 2015 - Lime and Pine

My back is complaining.

Tim and I took a visit to his Mum for tea and scones. We visited three supermarkets. Tesco to collect a rubber mallet and flowers for Brenda. Aldi for beer. Lastly, Jempsons for bargain petrol and a kohl eyeliner. Seems perfectly normal to me.

We walked through trees which are producing some beautiful seeds.

This evening we went to The Green Cross for dinner with our Dutch guests who visit frequently. The food was mediocre. I don't like that when I pay for food. We stopped by the Milkhouse for a final drink. I ordered a Baileys which received one of those 'really?' looks from Tim. The bar staff were delightful as well as being rather attractive.

I was amused by my Mi Band telling me I had been running today. Really I haven't. 

Sunday, 9th August 2015 - Summer Wine

Si turned up this morning. He had been checking his hives. We need to do ours and been promised help from Michael with the extraction. I just hope we have not been mistaken on our last inspection about the presence of honey.

Mike and Pippa called by with wine. They had a great time camping without us. Now we are fully equipped we can join them on their next jaunt. We moved with the sun round the garden. We may possibly visit them in France later in the month but probably won't. 

I made a mountain of pizzas. One batch of flour makes a surprising amount of stretchy bases. We are delighted to find that a hot frying pan produces the most perfect bottom.

Saturday, 8th August 2015 - Mysterious Campari

We went to the Bell and Jorrocks for an early evening drink. Suzy had Pimms. I had Campari. Neither of us knew what type of ingredients our drinks derived from. So I looked it up.

The original Pimms is gin based - I like gin.

Campari is a secret recipe.

Friday, 7th August 2015 - New Bath

Brett and Tim and working on installing my bath. I have not have one for over six months. It is a terribly thrilling prospect. I have chosen a pretty slipper bath with the feet of a lion. I will have to stay reasonably mobile as it takes quite a bit to get my leg over. I cannot get very wide as it is narrow but pleasingly deep. I cannot wait to rip my clothes off and climb in to hot water with bubbles.

I learnt an I interesting fact from Nigel Wickham the other day. Did you know all blackcurrants are called  'Ben'? They have a surname to distinguish them apart. Something to do with their Scottish breeding. The ones I have are called Ben Nobel. 

Thursday, 6th August 2015 - Prostrate French Beans

The sunny evening tempted Tim and I on a longer than usual walk past some sheep. They were giving us very suspicious looks.

The French beans I picked from the garden are our only successful crop of vegetables this year and persist and insist on growing horizontal however much training I give them. I boiled and ate them.

I have reached 8995 steps this evening. I am not going to reach my target today. 

Tuesday, 4th August 2015 - Bistort Invasion

My kitchen has a small melon in the fruit bowl. I can't help but pick it up and give it a sniff as I pass by. It reminds me of holidaying in France when the children were children.

I invited myself, yet again, to Sarah's. This time I wanted some machine picked currants so I can make blackcurrant vinegar which is a good replacement for the highly priced balsamic. She took me on a beautiful if rather brambly walk. Just in a couple of their fields they have a huge upsurge of a pink flowered weed. It was my pleasure to be able to identify it.

Monday, 3rd August 2015 - Nutting Girl

On our walk to The Woodcock Tim and I practised singing Nutting Girl. It is a song Tim is learning and I am sort of too. I don't think I have the voice or bravado to sing in public but the process is enjoyable and can be amusing when we go terribly wrong. The tune evades us at times and we revert to Hopping Down in Kent. I have found the sheet music and can play a very shabby tune on our old piano to get us back on track.

Sunday, 2nd August 2015 - Titus at The Woolpack

I had a bit of a physical collapse today. It was corrected by a walk in the sunshine with Mike and Pippa. We watched cricket while replenishing our fluids then took to The Woolpack to listen to Titus play. Still more delights to come with dinner at Mike and Pippa's. A fine day.

Saturday, 1st August 2015 - Feathered Pens

Wedding guests are in no need of an early breakfast. I have plenty to amuse myself with while waiting.

Tim and Harriet sorted through my hundreds of paintings to find eight for submission to The Weald of Kent Art Show. 

The Bell and Jorrocks for a good place to meet for a Pimms with Nick, Suzy and Alan. Nick checked I had filled my submission form in correctly. Tim drove me and the MG up and down many a pretty country lane to find the correct letter box to deposit it in. 

I have been collecting feathers. They make great drawing implements.