Trips

 

I seem to have spent a lot of time recently taking Joy out which I guess illustrates the fact her living with us necessitates her being 'entertained' to a degree and an improvement in the weather which has given impetus to getting out to the allotments and other places. It seems as easy to kill two birds with one stone and to be perfectly honest, everytime I open the door to the motorhome, Joy is ready to come for a trip out. 

We did both allotments last weekend on Saturday and Joy managed to walk quite some way, as well as grab a hoe for a little weeding. There was time to stop for a shandy and chips on the way home and the plot got a good mowing with the new cordless lawn mower. We were there again yesterday on the way to collect Maria from school and we had time to have a walk at Pamphill too.

Lovely as it has been, I am looking forward to the weekend away with family from Plymouth with great weather forecast and the prospect of some interesting dog walks, swimming and a good catch up.

Blashford Lakes

The post begins with some photos of the new en suite bedroom which Joy returned to last night. It was if she had never slep anywhere else and she was thrilled with the facilities. 

For Joseph, today was the day of the final SATs exam in Year 6 and he's done well throughout the week with all the pressure and despite Bridie being sick all night, another bug doing the rounds at her nursery. 

Alison was at school where she has calculated she just 8 weeks left before retiring again, this time for good I would say. She is tired for sure and having Joy here too makes a good deal more work for everyone.

Joy and I got the motorhome out and set off to Blashford Lakes which was chosen as I remembered being able to park near the hides, meaning she would not have to walk too far. She loved it there and was entralled watching a blackheaded gull on the nest, as well as looking out at tufted ducks, canada geese, little grebe, Egyptian geese, starlings, oystercatcher, lapwing, jackdaws, buzzard, gadwall and a high flying heron.

We drove nearer the education centre and Joy managed the walk to the Woodland Hide and back during which we heard blackcap, robin, blackbird and greenfinch. There were also constant calls from a chiffchaff and we saw and heard a garden warbler. All very exciting.

I've potted on a few more tomatoes and there is a good crop of basil and coriander ready too.

Progress

It was a busy day yesterday with lots of jobs around the house, time at the allotment, dog walking and looking after Joy. The good news is that the drains are now done and Joy has moved into her bedroom again, this time with en suite, and it is looking good. That means Joseph can have his room back now. The guys who did the drains were great and showed a good deal of consideration whilst doing the work.

I'd already had a couple of long walks by 10 and took in both the golf course in the early morning sunshine, and the walk down to Horton Lane where I saw the canada geese and goslings, two families given the differing sizes of the young birds.

Having cut the grass, vacuumed, tidied, cooked and moved furniture around, I spent a bit of time at the allotment. The photos are fro the previous day at Wimborne where the early potatoes are doing well and things are moving apace. There is plenty of space for more to go in yet but West Moors, where I went yesterday on the way to collect Maria from dance, is more or less full with all sorts in, including lots of carrots. 

Bank Holiday weekend

I guess there was a coronation going on but I managed to avoid almost all of it with Sandra's birthday on Friday and a lovely meal at the Cinnamon Lounge before Maria and I took the train to Exeter where we had a great time with Lily for her 16th birthday. We met her with Chrissie, Emily and Grace and did a bit of shopping, eating and watching a Norweigian language film! It's not one the girls will ever forget, that's for sure. 

My birthday was yesterday and I am looking forward to a big get together at the end of the month with the family. 

Almost forgot to mention that Joe and Kate were elected to the council for Moordown ward! Amazing result for them.

I've managed to hit WM allotment today and planted out broad beans, climbing french beans, runner beans and dwarf french beans, along with some weeding after plenty of recent rain. All looking good.

It's also been the start of the work on the drains which will be finished on Thursday. Exciting times!

A day in the garden

We had a lovely long weekend and finished off with a day largely spent in the garden. Juno has been in amongst the bluebells again and had a long walk with the children in the afternoon where they were on bicycles or, in Joseph's case, on a scooter. I got the camping stove out and did us burgers and sausages for lunch, with the gazebo up too so we could escape any passing showers.

It was nice to spend so much time outside with the garden looking great and everyone gathered around in the evening for a meal of meatballs in tomato sauce and pasta. The girls love pasta and being outside seemed to make it taste even better.