Today I have been mainly Vol. 6

Have been to DD's graduation! She took five years to complete her degree because DGS came along right in the middle of it (oops!). However she carried on, worked extremely hard, and achieved not only a first, but three vice-chancellors awards!!! Such a lovely, happy occasion with little DGS there to help to celebrate. Couldn't have foreseen that when she first started her course! Feeling very proud right now

Just a little extra about Jodrell Bank - I agree it's a splendid place to take kids and worth checking their website for when they do 'talks' for children - the tickets are free but you have to book. I took my DGS and 2 great nieces and they loved watching the experiments. Invited to ask questions, one of the girls asked, in all innocence: Are you a mad scientist? I have to say this was taken on the chin, and the lecturer confessed that he probably was

Had a great afternoon. Took my daughter and grandsons out for tea and then to the park before bedtime. Such a lovely evening, everyone so relaxed and in no rush to go home. School breaks up tomorrow, so let's hope there'll be many more of these long, warm summer days

I do love summer evenings, especially when it's been as hot as it has been today. All the windows are open, all the watering done, and it's still bright outside.

Marelli visited today and we had a paddle in the sea before lunch in the garden.. After she left, I went back to the beach and had a swim - brrr - The Forth can be very chilly, but it was lovely and refreshing and I shall do it again tomorrow, temperature permitting

They will enjoy it this year and then in another year or so, enjoy it again on a different level.

Yes, anno the boys are five next month. We think they'll enjoy Joddrell now.

Didn't take any pics at all, Bags. You can't really see what you're looking for until you find it. I know that doesn't make sense!

Did you take any pictures of the planetary gardens, anno?

It is, soop. You will enjoy it, when. Are you taking the boy twins? There's a little children's playground as well as all the other attractions.

Thinking of you Gally

That sounds great, anno. We're planning to go in the summer hols, too

anno This sounds well worth a visit.

Today I have been at Jodrell Bank with the U3A. It's a very interesting place and the visitor centre is now right up to date. All buildings are, thankfully, air conditioned. The 'planetary' gardens are very peaceful. We had an informative talk from one of the researchers and were able to press a button to get a print-out of the information being received at a particular moment by the big dish - radio waves from a pulsar at the heart of the Crab Nebula. I would love to take my 8 and 9 year-old grandsons there - not sure if GD would be interested. Sadly, they have done away with the planetarium they used to have. Kids loved that and so did I. Importantly, the restaurant serves a good and varied selection of dishes, plenty of them suitable for vegetarians - I had a tasty mezze for £6 - excellent!

Gally and Ella46

Gally

That's perfectly understandable Gally. I recently went to my great-nephew's christening at the same church where my sister's funeral was held a year ago. I was close to tears the whole time I was in there, and that was for a happy occasion. On reflection, I would have gone in on my own to get over that hurdle in private, but hindsight is too late. Hopefully, any further events there won't be as difficult.

I hope your peaceful interlude does you good

Of course you couldn't. Stupid to even think of it!

Oh Gally, how could anyone even think you could go.

Gally

I'm suppose to be at a neighbour's funeral but I couldn't cope with it: the last one was J's and it's at the same place, so I made my excuses and went off up into the hills near Cleish for a while; it's such a lovely day but so sad...

soop That's sad

Anno for you too, you will certainly miss her.

U3A today and we were selling our writing group's anthology of 'memories' - well received by those who bought it. Later I took GD out for an early evening meal. It's the last chance I had to take her out before she leaves Manchester after the graduation. I am going to miss her so much.

Ironing for my mate and thinking...

A friend from the village, had a bad fall at Christmas. Thought to have been a mild stroke. Many more falls recently and admitted to hospital last weekend. Diagnosis - an aggressive brain tumour. Family on their way home from Canada. Cannot believe that the man we know well: a maker of super jewellery, gardener extraordinaire, handyman who built his own chalet and bakes the most marvellous cakes, has been struck down so suddenly.

Grannyactivist , you certainly sound as you are taking life by the horns .

Good news .x