Today I've been...

Mamie, I feel exhausted just reading your post! Almost a literal baptism of fire for your GDs!

I have been watching the almost finishing touches to new paving /patio being done..and looking in horror at all the dust all over the house as a result of stone cutting

I've been in the sea and it was actually warm(ish)

I love sea bathing amd jealous grannylin

I love sea bathing am jealous grannylin

Getting tired! Night all

Got the (very expensive) car back at teatime, and at last we`ve brought Pepper home. His bill was £31, and we haven`t even been away! Still think the garage have ripped us off!

Today I have been at yet another 'Olympic' sports event at Barnaby's school. They certainly encourage sport here in Sydney. About 250 children aged from 5-7 took part in 15 events; it was hilarious to watch the Equestrians - jumping over little jumps on hobby horses; the javelins were rubber chickens ?; Swimming involved donning a rubber ring, goggles and a towel and running round a cone and back - very inventive on a patch of scruffy grass. I am now sitting in my garret, exhausted, and half watching a Pavarotti Charity Concert - amazing music with Sting, Elton John, Annie Lennox, Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Brian Adams and many more; it's making me quite weepy . Now time to pick up the 4 year old from pre-school - a Gally's work is never done.

Mamie I am quite jealous. It has been seventeen years since I was last in Paris, one of my favourite cities. Reading your post made me feel that I would love to visit again.

number I guess that we all feel that way from time to time. Just try not to dwell on matters. Think positive...

Swimming in a mountain lake with Gatsby, our very old dog. She is cream crackered by very happy - drying off on the lawn.

Sounds fabulous!

Taking the caravan back into storage. It`s been out at the front of the house since the breakdown man brought us back on Saturday, and we`ve been on pins in case it got damaged or broken into.

At CAB. Short-handed because of the summer holidays and didn't we have the awkward squad in today! Some cases are almost, if not completely, insoluble and I always feel bad if I can't suggest a way forward that satisfies the client. neighbour disputes are the worst! I will say no more. Now plonked in front of TV with watching hockey - I know DS2 and family were there today but think is was only this morning. A full day would be too much for those lively kids, unless they decided to be as fanatical as their dad.

Had a fabulous day at Ness Botanical gardens with my friend. It was so hot in the sun but so lovely in the woods and around the water.
I didn't realise how nice it is on the Wirral as I've never been before!

Feel very bloated now after delicious welsh rarebit and scone with cream and jam (not all at once!).
Don't tell glass please

You had a lovely day ella

I have had a lovely afternoon with my two sisters, we have not been together since our few days in York earlier in the year. So I am all chatted out but happy.

ella Is that glammas Wirral you have been to?

Yep, I assume it must be

Are there others?

Ness Gardens are lovely and in such a fine situation. I was there last year to see the rhododendrons and azaleas - a superb display.

Don't like the Wirral.Got done for speeding.I was doing my son a favour picking him and Dil up from the ferry from Belfast. I was driving from Manchester and as I'm from Devon and a bit thick ,naive, I followed the sign to Queensferry,realised my mistake and bolted through Port Sunlight as I was so late and got flashed.Had to go to naughty school.

Went to Edinburgh for the Festival. Saw a free (very rude and funny) comedy in an Irish pub on Victoria Street and struggled through seething crowds and entertainers (sword swallowers and fire eaters etc) on the Royal Mile.......then came home and sat in my lovely quiet garden in the sunshine - bliss, pure bliss!

ella I was trying to divert my mind from welsh rarebit and scone with cream and jam to glamma and The Wirral

green sounds a perfect end to a perfect day we have had another day of sunshine.... shhhh.

Tut tut grannylin I bet the family wont let you live that down