Thursday, 28th April 2016 - Snowy Mespilus

We have a stunning little tree in the garden. For a few weeks in Spring it has the most beautiful blossom. I was informed by guests of its name, Amelanchier Lamarckism and delighted to know that you can make a jam from the berries. If you get to them before the birds. I tried painting it en plein air today. The picture has been torn up and put in the recycling. This is the second version.

Friday, 22nd April 2016 - Runners and French

I have just waved Hetty off to school. She is wearing a sparkly Unicorn headband and Bella is dressed as a rabbit. And why not!

Bella and I have been keeping a close watch on the beans emerging in the greenhouse. She does a great impression of an emerging bean.

Wednesday, 20th April 2016 - Rhubarb with Ants

Suzy and I tested the chef at The Bell and Jorrocks. It is Jordon from The Peacock. He seems to be doing ok. Nice lunch in the sunshine. Nick has dug me up a rhubarb crown after my pleas on Facebook. It came with ants - red ones at that. Nasty little blighters they can be if they get their poisonous jaws into you.

Tuesday, 19th April 2016 - Gravel Entertainment

I left my guests at the breakfast table while I hurried to take Mum to a hospital appointment with the Dermatology Nurse. I am not sure how to respond to the experience. All Mum's results have come back negative, or should that be positive? There is nothing wrong with her. No brain tumour. No lesions. Nothing just a perfectly preserved head. All those symptoms she has had since January have been forgotten.

Hetty and Bella are off school/playgroup with a bug. They spent some of their day playing with the gravel in the drive. Simple pleasures.

Sunday, 17th April 2016 - Oak Catkins

We took the MG out for its first outing of the year. It was washed and polished and three dead mice removed. I am glad the mouse poison I laid in the garage seems to be working. The Weald of Kent were dancing at The Bell and Jorrocks where we spent a pleasant couple of hours.

The trees are bursting with fresh leaves. I quite like their new softness. 

Saturday, 16th April 2016 - Anemone

We are having people over for dinner. I had make a decision that I like to cook for eight friends. It means no massive furniture moving to fit in a huge table that disables Tim's back. We can get to talk to everyone as well as cook. Just the perfect number.

Michael came and gave us a formal bee keeping lesson. The hive has been undone, reshaped and back together for the Spring. All looks well with the bees. Tim has a rather large chin, and getting bigger, from two stings. 

I had a call from my GP which frightened the tits off me. He would like me to have further investigations for internal bleeding. Really, I feel fine, just tired. 

Tonight we have John, Innis, Tony, Wendy, June and Barry for Thai Fish curry. Unfortunately, not as good as the one Alli cooked for us a couple of weeks ago. An entertaining Prosecco marinated evening.

Thursday, 14th April 2016 - Sellick at Pashley

I was pleased to find out today that the breathlessness I have when washing the floor is not caused by fat pressing on my lungs, as someone very close to me suggested, but due to me having anemia. No wonder I have been feeling so bloody tired. I just need to take a high dose of iron tablets and I will be springing around again in no time.

I had an entertaining afternoon with a large quantity of other bnb owners and the company of Sarah, Karen and Leelee at Pashley Manor. As a very important proprietor I get a complimentary tour of the garden, a cream tea and get to take a friend. It is a stunning, if a little too tidy, garden.