Today I have been mainly Vol. 6

Discovering an amazing number of different mosses on our dry stone wall but having very little luck in identifying them. I have Roger Phillips Grasses, Ferns, Mosses and Lichens book but I need another good identifying book. Recommends welcome if anyone knows of a good one.

Thank you G23. It's strange to reflect that it's 51 years since my own graduation. Oh well, tempus fugit and all that.

when I am also learning that, living in a holiday town in the summer means avoiding the weekends at the supermarkets when the holiday makers / surfers etc. arrive! Still it is more than worth it.

Congratulations to the Graduates and their Grannies and best wishes to the new arrival. But....

Gally I stand in awe - swimming in the North Sea (albeit in the Firth). You are inspirational!

I was in Aldi at 8.30 am and it was packed! Everyone had the same idea to get it out of the way before temperatures soared. I came home 'glowing' and jumped in the lukewarm shower. My garden needs tidying but it's far too hot now

Well, today so far I have been to the supermarket (at 8.00 to avoid the heat) then decided to change the bed and give our bedroom a blitz (to avoid the heat)

It is now 11.30 and I am dripping. B*****r the rest of the house! (I can hear my mother's plaintive voice - "But you have to get done before you sit down. Suppose somebody comes to the door?" let them come, say I!

nightowl and anno Congratulations to both girls!

Thanks to all and a warm welcome to the very new Edward.

Congrats tiggy and welcome to baby Edward

What brilliant news today. Well done to the graduands and the new arrival

Lovely news all round.

Well done nightowl and nightowl's daughter Andre anno's DGD!

Welcome to the world Edward.

Phew mamie

Bedroom temperature 27 degrees last night. OH up at 5.30 bread-making so opened all windows and got temperature down to 24. Now the engineer is here to do the annual boiler service and all the radiators are on.....

What lovely news from you all, nightowl anno and Tiggy! And a virtual cuddle for Edward!

Morning, Faye!

Well done to your daughter nightowl you must be feeling very proud. All of your babysitting would have contributed to her excellent results.

annodo you sound like you had a lovely day, well done to your GD.

Congratulations on your new GS tiggy a new baby is very special.

Flew to Beijing on Tuesday, arrived Wednesday morning and took 2 hours to do a 45min taxi journey - the usual Beijing traffic problems ! Met 4 yr old grandson from nursery, had a nap, dinner and BIG sleep.
Thursday up early to look after Henry when DD and her OH went to hospital for the birth of 2nd son. Took Henry to nursery, met him at 12, lunch and nap for us both. Phone call at 4pm to say Edward had arrived naturally and easily (emergency C sec last time) so quick dash for a taxi before rush hour and then lots of cuddles for the new arrival who is the spitting image of big brother except for eye colour. Dinner in hospital (which was a bit different to our NHS !) and then taxi back home.Oasis Hospital is private and new so DD is the only patient in the fully staffed maternity wing - excellent care througout.
Today I have taken Henry to nursery and am now trying to keep cool watching the Ayi clean. Apparently I shouldn't feel guilty putting my feet up while others do the work but it doesn't sit well with me. Trying to ignore the jet-lag.
Pollution is awful today - I measure it by how clearly I can see a building between 2 blocks of flats. Today it is invisable so all windows shut and the air purifier on full blast along with the air con (but I try not to use that too much - the Yorkshire in me I suppose!)
Back home in a little over 3 weeks. It is always sad to leave them but oh how I long for the clean air and quiet of Yorkshire. First stop will be Sutton Bank to fill my lungs with the air and my head with the view.

And they are very ,very lucky to have you two. It is so lovely to be such an important part of their lives and watch them develop. I hope your daughter enjoys her course . A brave choice !

I have helped Gorki as much as I could as I'm still working part time. OH has also helped and we have loved every minute of it. I'm sure all grandparents know what I mean when I say I can't remember life before DGS came along. We will be he helping even more from September when DD starts a PGCE, but I can't wait! I'm so lucky to have them all nearby and to be a part of their lives.

Glad your graduation ceremonies both went well. Isn't it wonderful to sit there with moist eyes watching them be congratulated for their achievements? I love graduation day.

What a beautiful day we had for it anno. I don't know about you but I'm still on a high! Congrats to your DGD and as Galen says, to all the graduands

And I bet you helped by looking after your grandson while she studied nightowl.

to all the graduands!

Oh and I meant to say, congratulations to your DD, nightowl. What a great achievement.

I have been to GD's graduation today. She looked lovely and it was a very happy occasion. DS and I dropped her off at her house to get ready to meet her friends to celebrate and the two of us went for an Italian meal back here. Sitting outside on such a balmy evening seemed very continental.

Thank you Gorki

She's done really well to be so single-minded. Good luck to her. No wonder you are proud !