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.