End of July

The wind that has blown this month away and blown in the flies has at last abated in the last three days. The temperature soars into the 30°s melting tarmacadam in places. A swim in the River Gartempe brings a little respite. We are not complaining.

Captain Sensible has had a cortisone injection in the knee and removal of fluid from his housemaid's knee. I warned him to keep away from the housemaid but he did not listen! However with the rhumatalogue he was brave and did not cry out but the following day had to rest in bed unable to sleep with a high fever until we thought that the codoliprane might help. Results! The swelling is reducing, the fever has gone, but he must avoid the sunlight for a few days!

From 7th to 21st we enjoyed the company of Felicity and Francesca - more photos here - but see August for more photos and holiday news.

Dick and Carol popped in for a very enjoyable lunch of anchovy quiche tart and salad from our garden. They were en route to the South of France with boat. There was constant talk , and a walk around the estate to admire the poplar hybrids but insufficient time for Carol and Sweetpea to play the piano or the accordion! Lovely to see them looking so healthy! Have a good holiday!

Happy Birthday Sweetpea and Sebs

It is difficult to believe that another digit in the age has to change. It is early morning and the rain is falling but that's a good thing as the potager needs to be wet. The tomato plants were looking tired! Already our potato crop is adequate. The tubers are small, tasty. Although we planted triple the quantity of tubers we will not reap a triple crop! We have also been eating mangetout peas. The courgettes appear not to like the soil or the weather. Some tomatoes are growing on the plants that have survived the wind! We have had good success with two packets of a mixed leaf salad that we bought from England. The Nasturtiums and Ipomoea (Morning Glory) are struggling and the sunflower plants are just emerging!

We're pretty tired and not sure if this has to do with our age, or not taking our B6 and magnesium tablets, or constant housework including late Spring cleaning, or lots of cooking and gardening causing us hardly ever stopping to rest yet running with the fun of French summer activities. The weather affects us and has been either exceptionally wet or unbelievably windy or so hot and humid that unfortunately the latter is also debilitating! The sun is best!

I am very aware that we have a backlog of photos and text to communicate. But it is my son's birthday today and the eve of that of Sweetpea! So Happy Birthday to the big young man and to me!!

Editing this on 1st August 2008 I am adding the best birthday present which was to spend time with my grand daughter, daughter and David. Sadly, Sebs and Bee could not be here but perhaps a wish would come true for next year to have the family together and include also Tallulah and Kyle.

Isn't she lovely?

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