The Garden Fence - proper Old Style support and chat!

pollyanna_26

My lovely first hisband and I got married on the 27th of June the day before my 21st birthday,

It was a church wedding on a Friday as we had booked our tickets for the isle of Man boat and paid for our stay in a lovely hotel high above the bay in Port Erin. We were on the first Saturday boat.

A few days before there was an odd weather forecast for the day possible snowfalls. It rarely snows on this coast so I laughed then began to wonder.

I knew how to crochet but had never made anything beyond blanket squares. Took myself to the wool shop for silky yarn with a sheen and white rabbit wool and winging it somehow made a cape for smallest bridesmaid which was ok and would cover her arms as she was wearing a homemade dress with short puff sleeves.

All was well on the day but as husband and I walked out of the church down came the snow. People have been surprised it snowed in June but the proof in in the wedding album.

Sis was a lot younger than me but was horrified to be on display in a cape and mentioned it often well into adulthood.

I wish for you burtha weather just right. Not too hot or cold. A long and happy life for you and yours and days still having adventures.

I love old Land Rovers and Camper Vans proper OS.

Have a lovely day.

pollyxx

nannywindow

Hello ! says she waving furiously to Polly, Burtha, Grandmanerd, MrsCD, NRA, Monna, and to anyone I have forgotten to mention. My apologies for being MIA but RL keeps getting in the way. How very dare it ! What with appointments galore at the hospital and GP surgery, I can't keep up with things and I don't know what day it is half the time !
 Burtha  I wanted to add my congratulations to you and your frog, may you have a long and happy life together. I shall be thinking of you both and I have my hat 👒at the ready while I wait with DH for his oncology review. Enjoy your day which I'm sure will be perfect for you in every way 💕
Grandmanerd congrats to you for your new family addition. Hope Grandma, Mum, Dad and the baby are well.
Polly We're still alive and kicking, both just struggling with health and trying to juggle things in RL, add to that my Dad is playing up too, I can't seem to do right for doing wrong for him. Nothing new there though.🙄 
At present we are trying to get our caravan ready for our first trip since the original lockdown and I hope it's worth the slog as it never seemed this hard before and probably the hot weather isn't helping either. I suppose like everyone we're getting older and less able.
I hope you and your DD are keeping ok. Hugs winging their way to you. Amy/nan xx
Take care all
nan 

pollyanna_26

Lovely to hear from you nan, I've been wodering if you're both ok.Has your dad always been awkward or is it recent thing?

Since dropping youngest at her boyfriends knowing she wouldn't cope without seeing him or the cats. Neither us imagined Omicron was waiting in the wings so she is still under Doctors orders.

I see her but space it out as all three of us have escaped the virus so far so not dropping our guard yet.

This is the first time I've lived alone in my life and I've found it very strange. There were four children of two generations , their friends and mine so lots of chatter and laughing.

The house is weirdly quiet and sometimes I feel like Shirley Valentine talking to the walls.

Do you think your dad may feel the same. I know you invite him to yours or visit him but if his life has changed from the norm perhaps that's making him grumpy.

I'll catch up tomorrow but forgot something earlierI meant to mention.

Some may be aware allready but tonight is Supermoon night. The Buck Moon. Supposed to rise in SW England 21.47  tonight so no idea how far it will eventually reach.

I was born under the sign of the Moon and find moons very comforting shining on through all the generations through good times and bad.

Feeling cooler now downstairs upstairs still too hot all the bedrooms have dormer windows with flat roofs that hold the heat.

Just waiting until it goes properly dark then will see if there is any sign of a big moon yet.

Just watching the news re Rail Strikes. our son firstborn followed in his dads footsteps to become a Train Driver the only thing he'd wanted since he was a toddler.

He's a member of Aslef the drivers union as his dad was; They've balloted the drivers now. Husband and son  never went on strike but neither would cross an official picket line. Son is a Senior Mainline Driver and Young driver Instuctor with well over 30 years service so he's probably not feeling too good about the situation.

Still no sign of a big moon. I've bee trying to work out where in the sky it may appear but no idea. Started

yawning a couple of hours ago so after sleepless nights this may be the night I go to bed and go out like a light.

Just watching the newspaper headlines on tomorrows papers. Then I'll head upstairs look through all the windows and if there isn't a big moon I'll go to bed.

pollyx

grandmanerd

Congratulations Burtha and hope everything goes well on your big day (and afterwards).

Today will be a quiet day, upstairs doing paperwork. Yesterday I had a pill delivery due so got downstairs early, only to find that it had already been delivered and DS3 had accepted it. As  I was already downstairs (stairs are my current limiting factor so do as much as possible whether I'm up or down before attempting them again.

Went in the yard to continue the endless sweeping / hoeing (trying to get all the remaining soil from the paving stones during the hot weather - only if I can find a shady bit to work in), then sieving to separate out rubbish, weeds and stones before filling containers and replanting. DS3 brought out the tomatoes I set on the kitchen windowsill (the tallest has hit the ceiling and is coming back down). I cleared the plants on the outdoor shelves, added soil where needed, watered everything (was very tempted to go and collect one or more broken trolleys from little Arseda - they're the right height for working from and so easy to transport multiple heavy items around). Rearranged the courgettes (from a shelf to the top) and put the herb plants back in a layer standing on the 'joints' between the courgette pots, leaning against the house wall. I didn't plant much this year but what I di is all taking off, needing more space and I have to make enough room to house a mobility scooter (ex- OH's - I swear I can see him laughing to himself about all the records he's landed me with, 29 years after I sent him off - back to his mum of course).

Bay tree is on top of the huge plastic bin of mealworms (filled a 1 l jar for feeding the birds this month) and I dragged a half filled plastic bin across to stand in front of the shelves (in the corner) re-potted the triffid tomatoes into it and filled to the top with soil. Added several armfuls to the green bin before collection, including a shrub I've been hacking away at for months (very invasive roots). Chatted to 2 policemen - think no. 8 has done a moonlight flit. Noticed the front window was smashed in on Wednesday. The pushchair was in the back yard and the policemen were concerned that the family might still be inside (landlord had the window and back door boarded up yesterday). I told them about the shed/ Wendy house he's building and that I hadn't noticed him working on it last week or this. He collects the empty pallets from the men working on the library and then hammers them into place (I might not have seen him but I can hear him hammering away when I'm outside).

We're (my town) is hosting some of the Euro Women's matches so all sorts of special events going on. On Wednesday morning I was trying to do my long mindfulness exercise with what sounded like a building site outside - It was only one man, cleaning the large concrete blocks that were brought in last week (his generator and his machine made different loud noises). Teams of workmen swarmed in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday putting up cement blocks (about 9' long), crash barriers and fencing all round Civic Square and Car Park, we have 2 dozen portaloos on site, 2 exhibitions on the square (one was for one day only but I didn't go back after it took 1.5 hours to take 3 library books back, get a sandwich and cash from the bank) - the stage, bar and chairs are on the car park (and all the vans get parked in my corner of the car park)

On match days there are 'fan parties' for all our overseas guests, the library is shut to host craft events and football card swaps and from 2 pm we had a variety of entertainment (poetry, drums, disco, a choir, brass and pipe bands) and then on Saturday at 4.30 pm they all marched off in procession down to the stadium led by an open topped bus and the bands (the roads they use are closed for the duration of the march). Then the workmen stayed until 9 pm collecting litter and packing away most of the stuff (chairs and crash barriers stacked in my corner along with the mini forklift they use to manouevre the concrete blocks.

Sunday was a great day. At noon we had the official 'unveilling' of the Pete Shelley (Buzzcocks) mural (the artist said it's the largest wall he's ever worked on, twice as big as the Ian Curtis one in Macclesfield) followed by a free concert in the Derby Room (above the library) with a Buzzcocks tribute band and a younger local punk band. As the majority of the attendees had grey hair or none it was very friendly and I had a great time, I even managed a five minute dance (mostly holding the walker with one hand, part of the time with both hands behind me and a few bits just standing on my own two feet before grabbing the walker again).

And first thing Monday morning the madness started again, swarms of workmen moving blocks, barriers,etc and then the stage bar and chairs for yesterday's 'fan party' (Netherlands v Portugal) featuring lots of orange including a big orange bus. Yesterday's match started later so they were here until 5.30 pm and then it was all packed and stacked on my corner of the car park. Think we get a longer respite this time (bin lorry has just been to collect all the rubbish).

I have a friendly robin who follows me around the garden and is interested in everything I do. I am making progress on the huge list of 'to do's' but very slowly (it's all I can do). I have now been told I'm not expected to look for work - just hoping the PIP assessment goes the same way - and no longer have to send in 'fit' notes (to say I'm not fit). 

pollyanna_26

Lovely to hear you got to the local events and had an enjoyable time MN. ( Still trying to figure out  how to shorten your new user name MN is shorter so that's what I opted for)

With tomato growing I moved from the tall ones I used to grow along the back fence. I began ro find all the tying in and other faffing too much as they soared upwards.

I started growing the tumblers in large terracotta pots. Some leftovers went in hanging baskets on the front of the wooden arbour

roof I'd just put a hook either side of the front and they were very prolific.

Offspring visiters and sometimes myself would often mindlessly munch a couple if we were outdoors. Lovely and sweet.

If I need large tomatoes I buy them from the friend with the organic  smallholding who always phones to see if I need anything as he passes this way on his way to the farmers market.

It's usually mates rates but lately he's taken to just jumping in the van and driving away. I know what he and his wife like so will often order something online for them as a surprise delivery.

Years ago we would pass outgrown baby clothes , cots prams and other things on to each other.

I used to start off tomatoes on the windowsills at the front of the house where the sun moves to in the afternoon.

Did it for years with the tall ones. One day there was a ring at the door; It was after toxic ex had gone but there were two police officers at the door , I started thinking where each of the offspring were supposed to be and worrying something had happened to one of them.

However no someone and I had a good idea who as they're as thick as two short plaks and to them gardening means concrete had reported me for growing Cannabis!

The officers needed to look at the plants in my windows. They looked while I put the kettle. Older one said they're tomato plants aren't they my dad grows toatoes and we can't see out of the windows until he plants them outside. We had a brew , some choccie bikkies and a good laugh. As I waved them off they headed towards the neighbours and I started laughing again.

There were some very strong rules you do not break with two generations of offapring.

Rule no 1 was if you ever go near drugs in anyway except medication from the Dr  I will throw you in the car and take you to the Police Station. They will want to know where or who you got them from. That and other if you evers actually worked.

It does sound as though  No 8 has done a moonlight flit it's becoming much more common nowadays with the soaring cost of livlng.

You mentioned there is a landlord. Would that be the  ideal first step for DS3 and Beloved not forgetting the Chinchillas ? no high removal costs but you could send all the stuff , tech , cans , takeaway dishes etc . Would probably  mean you no longer unblocking , fighting you way past their stuff and picking up and cleaning after them.

They would be near you but their stuff woudn't be/ A gentle introduction to real life before they consider to rent or buy e but you're  using time and effort

Finally why are you giving space you haven't got to the Exs wheelchair and sorting his vast record collection?

He treated you badly. You're working hard on your physical and mental wellbeing so why waste time and energy you could use in the yard or practice some mindfullness and other things you're working on to lessen pain and  move forward socially and in other ways.

My favourite Auntie talking about various people used to say " I wouldn't spit on him/her if they were on fire" I have never spit or spat at anyone in my life. Just worked slowly and steadily with police, solicitors , then family courts and advice agencies and finally he was gone for good.

He left behind him a toiket cistern full of quarter size whiskey bottles and a loft knee deep in full and half size whisky bottles.

Problems with a cistern that didn't seem to be filling properly and I was worried I'd drop the lid if I tried looking inside brought the plumber.

The annual visit from the sweep to check the indoor flue highlighted the fact he couldn't move in the loft to reach the flue. I'd only peeped in there once since moving here in 75. The hatch is partly over the stairs so I've never been in it . Did get a glance inside from the sweeps step ladder and he was swamped with bottles.

He was handing them down to me and I felt mortified although I do not drink alcohol. Luckily I've known him for years and he very kindly plodded on then checked the flue and roof. We argued as he was only charging me his usual rate and I was insisting he had lost time for other jobs on his list while helping me.

He just said not your fault love. I've seen it all over the years and I'm a good judge of character.

We didn't have a recycling bin back in that time so my son spent 2 days leave driving all the bottles to the local tip. As an environmentalist it went against my beliefs. At one point I'd phoned St Helen's glass and others to ask if they could recycle them but no.

Hope you have a good MN. I managed a few hours sleep in the early hours which was very welcome. Waking around 6ish it felt much cooler however it's hot again now.

Quite a lot of knocks on the door took the batteries out of the bell  knowing exactly what happens in summer Ignored all the knocks then later found all the leaflets in the hall from the Cut your Trees Missus? Don't like the look of your roof missus etc, etc brigade.

I suspect some of them may have moved on to nearby playing fields and other places here. There is a legl camp a few miles away they wont use so it will be more legal costs for the Local Council again;

I used to shop in the Morries in town years ago and when they opened a big superstore near the prom we often used to go there.

Must be about 3 years since we last went. We'd noticed big white vans in the car park as we went in, Shopping done emerged to see Dogs and tiny too young puppies tied up outside in hot sun frightened out of their wits. We and trolley went back in to the store and customer services.

Asked if they knew what was going on in the car park and was told difficult to deal with they'll move elsewhere when they've sold all the pups. Asked if anyone had thought of contacting the local RSPCA and other animal rescues and the Police and got fobbed off with we're too busy.

I was tempted to leave my trolley with them but dd had found some things she needed that were hard to find elsewhere and by then was crying about the poor dogs and puppies. I needed to get her away and home as soon as poss so just said you wont be seeimg us again and out we went.

I phoned every animal rescue incliding the best one who will never have a healthy animal pts even if it's been with them for years. They'd already had calls about the situation but couldn't afford the cost of taking the situation on.

Police were run off their feet trying to clear illegal sites.

The car park belongs to Morries and they can afford to take legal action as far as I know nothing has changed. We've never been back there and wont again.

I was glad when the smaller shop opened here. Knew they were a family owned company , prices were good and they sold a much bigger range of things than more established stores. I find it sad that all the good years have have resulted in something unthinkable.

Sorry I seem to have written a small book. Been listening to thunder rumbling in the distance and hoping for heavy rain to clear the air.

pollyx

ETA Over the years I've had robin friends too MN. Lovely unless two or three want to be my friend and battle to be the one friend.

The tiny wrens can be fighters too. Blackbirds and Thrushes are more dignified though,

Robins and Wrens unite for a while when the birds that over winter in much sunnier climes fly back here. Skylarks, Swifts ,Swallows and many others some names beginning with S but others not

No idea what good they think it does but robins and wrens are the ones who skwark and fly at the incomers.

pollyx

grandmanerd

He's not a good landlord polly. Mr and Mrs Builder won't do any work for him, he takes forever to do repairs and then puts off paying the workmen as long as possible. I'm doing the records because I'm hoping it's going to be a deposit for a house for DS3 and Beloved. DS1 especially seemed to be keen to cut DS3 out (he said there was no money and gave DS3 the impression there was nothing). If each of these records is worth a tenner that's £8,000, if 50 of them are worth £50 that's an extra £2,000 and there are a couple I've already come across in the £400 - £600 category (I'm rounding down not up). 

The cameras (DS2 has those in his conservatory, well his Beloved's conservatory) not a clue - I suspect there are some fiver a time Camera Club specials and some that are worth more. A few years ago he was going on about one that was 'worth £9000 if you sold it to collectors in Russia (and I was thinking well why don't you sell it and bank the money for them). I nearly ended up with the cameras too. DS2 was talking about paying for a storage unit and I thought 'you're about to have a baby, if you put stuff in a storage unit it won't see the light of day for the next 2 years. But I'm saying as little as possible, just helping where I can. I want the records up for auction and out of my house asap.

The wheelchair went back to social services, it's a mobility scooter (or magic motorbike as my boys used to call them). DS2 offered to let me have a go on it after the funeral. The larger one sold (the man beat him down to £500, not realising that DS2 was offering the pair for £600). They'd have preferred to sell both as the cost of getting them back here is probably more than the scooter's worth and a friend offered to hold it in North Wales for a couple of weeks. I'm really struggling atm and if I could use it, it would expand my little world that's got very small recently - even the library is an effort when I have to go all the way round the outside.

All will be well, in the end. He never paid a penny maintenance, if I can make sure the boys end up with some sort of inheritance from him, I will do so.

nannywindow

Polly my Dad blows hot and cold. He is always the cheeky chappie to everyone bar his family when he can be quite vicious and hurtful, but he seems even worse now Mum has gone, I think she kept him in check. He has either alienated all of the friends that he has left or outlived them and now he just has one who he doesn't treat very kindly. Poor chap who has the start of dementia, rings him everyday and so doesn't fully realise that Dad is having a go at him, at least I don't think he realises, either that or he's very thick skinned. 
I have spent most of the day in the garden, mowing the lawns, well what's left as they are turning more brown than green now. I have also been putting some weed suppressant down at the front, only the gravel to do now but I already have it saved in a large bag as I rescued it before the new drive went in. So it's ready when I am, should save a few pennies and I'm happy reusing/recycling it too. DH tried to help but he's having problems with his back so he went into supervisor mode 🙄 Honestly I could have done it quicker my own way 😉 but it's the thought that counts I suppose. I'll not swap him just yet, may sell him though if someone offers the right price 🤣
Burtha have a lovely happy day tomorrow.
Grandmanerd we have lots of records too, singles and LP's, as my late DB-in-law ran a disco for many years but DH won't part with any of them and now they fill a single wardrobe from top to bottom, mind you we have both added to the collection from our younger days too. 
Take care all
nan

pollyanna_26

I do indertand your thinking on the records but as DS3 manages to earn a living designing very good online games which sell well why not use his tech skills to research the records and value for resale. He could print the info for you and you would then only need to check the  results.

I often think you are too willing to do things for him and beloved at the expense of your wellbeing.

The landlord doesn't sound good so you're right to swerve that.

However the fact remains that soon DS3 and Beloved will be moving on. They'll be in the real world facing real life with no one to sort their mess or run around after them  as mum you would be better passing on life skills to prepare them for real life than them facing a massive change when they move.

A better use of your time than being frustrated and exhausted and should reassure you when they move out that rather than doing you've got them to do instead.

You're allowing them to live in the home you own. I know they both have difficulties but the times you've mentioned sleeping in the day and being up during the night seems an odd way to live.

I do recall your son is often online sometimes to USA selling or  is designing his games but how will they function when there isn't anyone to do the stuff they don't

There comes a time you have to declare yourself retired and apart from online or phone advice let them learn to cope in their way.

I'm not being critical. I just think you need to step away from First Responder to others problems. My youngest had to learn to deal with things herself over the years. Some things she needed my  prescence in hospitals etc but I never had to clean up after her had a room full of food deliveries , cans etc or a sofa I sometimes couldn't sit on.

I always wondered how she would cope but since I dropped her at BFs and the cats she has learned to still anxiety over the virus but she found the BUPA dentist herself and went there and back on her own.

Done bloods and other tests at the hub saw Superdoc face to face on her own. Told him about the intensive private treatment being halted midway.

We'd disscussed the fact a few years earlier that all the strong meds were damaging her teeth our very good dentist had retired and it was impossible to get on an NHS list. He listened but said sadly medical ethics prevented him from recommending a dentist.

When she saw him face to face a week or so ago among all the other things meds wise things that were no longer properly controlled etc then told him if her anxiety over being partway through brutal treatment removing a couple of teeth and two weeks later the roots of those which would be a long process before the implants happened.

He has written now to the Local Dental trust because she is ECV. Didn't get the virus as we were being super careful but may end up with a very difficult to fight infection.

I did all I could iver the years to make her able to cope sometimes took a long time and the lovely young couseller she engaged with.

We aren't going to live forever so we need to prepare those like your son and beloved for life in the real world.

Sounds as though my second husband and your husband were a coiple of lifes charmers.

When the letters came pouring in from the pension service his different work and union pensions, sipps, savings accounts etc. I was unaware he had died.

Big effort convincing them I wanted nothing. Nothing but pain and worry was what he brought us so I said if it could go to charity in his name if possible and suggested Womens Aid who helped us uner the radar and others having a tough time.

The fact he never paid towards any bills , food , his two childrens clothes etc was a worry as I struggled to pay all the bills out of my pay. Not a bad teachers salary for those time but I was the one who'd taken on the mortgage before he came on the scene and all of us who bought these new builds had been mis sold endowment mortgages by the ever so helpul sales manager based down the road.

All as we later discovered pointed to particular building society and found ourselves paying endowment payments with the monthly mortgage  payments. Salesman took himself off when challenged the icing on the cake was when I made the final 25year mortgage payment I like those who didn't sell and move elsewhere had to fork out an final settlement on the endowment to release the deeds.

That's when I knew the ex wouldn't be able to challenge my will if the time came as he had no financial tie to this address over the years he was here but did have a hefty police record.

Is it hot over your way MN? It's been oddly tropical over here on the coast did manage to grab some sleep in the early hours of the morning woke about seven and it felt cold upstairs which is weird.

Started to heat up again but doesn't seem so bad now.

Hope your PIP gets sorted soon. I've had to trawls through paperwork and diaries . No response at all to youngests assessment form sent back quite a while ago. Something was niggling at me so I went back through the paperwork and noted her last awaard the next assessment was deferred to 2022 due to the virus situation. The diary for then confirmed that. Some more research and that date has been moved further on agian.

She;s been panicking but I told  her if your money doesn't appear in the bank let me know and I'll phone them as your appointee as I did when the ESA SG payment didn't get paid.

From what I've been told all the extra staff to handle the backload are actually improving the tech system. Hopefully that robotic voice will go .My  bank is now using a similar system for phone banking and I've come to the conclusion the staff are all robots!

pollyx

grandmanerd

It has been very hot here polly. The master of ceremonies for the fan parties kept telling everyone that the weather is always like this here - hope we don't get lots of disappointed tourists in the next couple of years. Next one is tomorrow, I hadn't got it noted because I got my dates from the list of when the library is closed (for crafts and football card swapping sessions) and they hadn't put tomorrow's down because they are shut on Sunday anyway. 

I've been to see the baby and she's lovely. DS2 was letting me choose today or tomorrow but I was worried about him being able to get in and out of town tomorrow, especially after he'd dropped me back at home - had visions of him sitting at the traffic lights as thousands of fans marched to the stadium following a big orange bus accompanied by a couple of brass bands (to keep them all in time). DS2 and his Beloved were discussing strategy for this week's heatwave peak, they've definitely got first time parent jitters, very sweet. Baby is good nearly all the time but hates nappy changes.

I've had a lazy day because after washing my hair, scrubbing my nails 3 times to get any soil residue out etc, i didn't want to do anything that might get me dirty again - not sure I had another set of clean and presentable clothes (as opposed to 'put on's). 

pollyanna_26

 So glad you got to visit your little Grandaughter MN. Looks like you chose the right day to do the journey not as hot here then but hotter the next day.

The master of ceramonies giving the visting fans the impression the Manchester weather was always hot and sunny made me laugh.if I was Paul Heaton I'd have wandered in grabbed the mike and belted out the "Manchester" song.

There may be some very disappointed visitors next simmer.

Looks as though it may be hotter near you over the next few days. It was another cool night last night here  I'd remade the bed with the coolest of that carefully kept over the years made in Lancashire cotton bedding it's amazing how it's lasted decades. I'd folded the duvet at the end of the bed but as the night got cooler had to throw it back on the bed and put my warm pyjamas on.

Woke  up at 6 and shortly afterwards was watering plants and flowers in the back garden . Rather than use the hose which wastes a fair amount of water I;d filled every watering can people used to buy me lovely metal watering cans as gifts so qiute a collection. Lined them up by the outdoor tap to fill then soaked all the fruit veg and flowers.

Picked some litte french beans, spring onions tomatoes and other veg and herbs planning to cook for the freezer today. The discovery apples look ready too , lots of blackberries.

Garage freezer is years old but huge and will hold the cold for at least 3 days if there's a powercut. The one I owned in the 70s had nowhere to live when I moved here as like the present one was a very big chest freezer I left that for the family that moved in to our former home home and had a half and half fridge freezer umtil the garage was built in 2001. It's saved me a fortune over the years by cooking in bulk and freezing.

I've followed the advice given by the BBC NW weather forecaters and opened all the windows let the air in- Hayfever wont like

that!  Then closed the curtains. TBH it wasn't hot indoors, sun is out now Met office are saying  28 degrees today here BBC NW

27. BBC have been taking the forecasts from Squires Gate in Blackpool which often aren't what we have here. Thankfully they've just switched back to our local RAF airbase  which are pretty accurate.

Give yourself a day of taking it easy MN and .all the Fencers if you can,  Here we're forecast heavy rain and thunder on the 4th day which should clear the air and really water the plants.

Burtha was wise choosing Friday for her wedding day I hope she and the family had the best day ever.

Nan step away from the gravel if you have any plans in the next few days of laying it yourself in hot weather. Repeat after me " We are no longer Spring Chickens"

Take care all I'll probably be back later. Laptop doesn't like hot but hopefully it isn't going to be bad here. There was a gentle sea breeze when I was in the garden . No doubt the beaches will be packed over the next few days but the sea breezes are why they come.

pollyx