ToadyI have been mainly Vol. 7

It was envious - it maybe didn't help me do the ironing as I had to join in so much.

Today we went to a garden centre and bought a beautiful blue hydrangea as a present for friends we are going to visit tomorrow - it is their 42nd anniversary.
Early this evening a friend was here having a coffee, her DH is away with the cricket team tonight, so DH said he would take all of us to a local hostelry for a meal. Just as we were sitting there more neighbours arrived to celebrate their 39th anniversary - so we all sat together and had a truly wonderful evening - no language problems although at times some translating needed to be done. Our male neighbour has Parkinson's and so they do not get out much but with three extra people there was no problem manoeuvring him and he in particular enjoyed the extra company - so much so that when DH was going to go and pay the bill our neighbour insisted he paid as he had enjoyed himself so much. Entente cordial still working in Dordogne!!

Just had the most delicious dinner. OH cooked "stinco", (allegedly the favourite dish of James Joyce when he lived in Trieste). Stove-top roasted shin of veal with white wine, garlic and anchovies, served with our own baby new potatoes and leeks with parmesan. I made a favourite pudding of sliced figs, layered with yoghurt and a sprinkling of dark brown sugar. Yum.

Brilliant day down near the water - sunshine, crowds of people and lots of fun. I ended up signing people up for the greasy pole (it sticks out across the water, with safety boat to hand and life jackets to wear) most impressed by a group of 12 - 13 year old girls, who tried it about five times each. One had even brought her wet suit! They were so confident, and happy to get soaked.

A local belly dancing group was giving a display as I left, and the whole place was so alive. Shelter box display did very well too.

Feet up now (am now using a walking stick, because I am so achy) and
Happy, happy day indeed.

I've mostly had a lazy day recovering from going to White Night in the nearest town last night. They haven't done it for a couple of years due to lack of finance but brought back to everyone's pleasure this year. On the last Saturday night in August the whole town dresses in white. Everyone wears white. The shops reopen, their windows dressed completely in white, with a competition for the best one. Easy for the clothes shops but a challenge for some of the others. (One of the chemist's had cascades of white ribbons all over the place) The restaurants were packed for the first time this year, serving special menus of "white food". There are street artists, music and everyone is invited to join in. The sort of crowds that I would normally hate stroll up and down enjoying each others company in the warm summer evening. Great fun and good company.

I just love these dog days of Summer, so very ,very much .

They gladden my heart.

plus it means I will be off on another holiday !

Postcard from Lesvos: Today my love lovely husband sat me down on our balcony overlooking the gardens and presented me with an eternity ring to celebrate my birthday. This evening he's taking me on a champagne cruise around the bay - he's finally discovered a romantic gene! Many thanks for good wishes everyone.

How lovely grannyactivist. Enjoy your day and the rest of your holiday. Sounds like it will be a good one for many reasons.

How lovely, ga!

ga, have a lovely day. You deserve it.

grannyactivist have a lovely day.

ga how lovely

How romantic! Enjoy and happy birthday!

Now, don't faint from shock, my friends, but I have just done a bit of ironing! Usually, I pay DG1 to do it, but this was my absolutely favourite jacket - River Island, pure cotton, white with deep blue flowers. So, I washed it, then thought I'd iron it, with the trousers etc that I wear with it.

Ironed beautifully, but as I was doing the sleeves, I was reminded of my mother, a fanatical ironer ( underpants, socks, anything that looked creased - she'd have ironed my father given half a chance) Anyway, as a new wife of very tender years, she decided that I needed to learn how to iron shirts "properly". And this involved making sure that there never any crease down the side of the sleeves. It involved a rolled up towel. She, of course, had a special little sleeve board.

At the time I thought "Sod this!" Pleased to report, 48 years later, that my reaction remains the same.

(my knees are playing up today, which is why I'm enjoying GN even more than usual!)

Sorry about the knees Ariadne - especially kind of you to do my cake

My MiL was, by her own admission, the very best at everything and shhe told me it was fine to only iron the front faces of a shirt so long as the collar and cuffs looked crisp. That is my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

Amazingly industrious day today. Four loads of washing out and dry . Linen cupboards tidied and pruned for oxfam . Eight pictures hung with difficulty. Mould in bathroom attacked. Awkward shopping done. Lengthened a duvet cover and started a new scrap quilt. Haven't made the bed yet though . Or dinner.

Met up with Tegan, Marelli, Gally, Elizabeth1, Granny23 and her sister for coffee, lunch and endless talking. Lunch was in The Royal Overseas League with an uninterrupted view across Princes Street to the castle. We were one of only two occupied tables in the restaurant - just as well as we made enough noise to fill the place!

Ah, that's lovely, Elegran! So glad you had a good time! Hope there are some photo's!

No - everyone was too busy talking to take any.

I have just come back from my first visit to the choral society. And had a wonderful evening of singing. My voice is basic but I still enjoyed every moment and will be going again - can't wait!

Elegran Did you get any tips from Tegan?
LizG wish I could sing, my voice isn't even basic (more base perhaps!)
Today I have been putting off packing which I hate. This has been made more difficult by a dire forecast!
Ah well I WILL make the most of any

Although we have had a 'not too bad' summer we must make the best of all the sunshine which comes our way - it would be rude not to

Today I realised I had B*****D up completely yesterday. I had an appointment for injections at the pain clinic for Monday 2nd Sept to top up my back joints. What did i flipping well do despite the evidence before my eyes. I missed it!
I had been convinced for weeks it was Tuesday despite it being on the calender for Monday.
I only realised as I was getting ready to go today at lunchtime and re- read the letter. I sent a letter of apology today, but I feel like a complete Ejit who has lost her marbles.

I am really annoyed with myself.

Last night I went to a poetry reading by Simon Armitage, in our lovely local bookshop. He really is a wonderful poet and such an engaging but unassuming person.

He is walking from Minhead to Land's End, stopping off to do readings; he did a similar thing on the Pennine way, then published a book of poetry based on the walk.

A simple but stimulating evening, with DD and DSiL. (Theseus was elsewhere but is a bit suspicious of poetry. Apart from McGonagal (sp!))

My son was telling me yesterday that he found McGonagal on a list of people who may have had Asperger's. i can sort of believe it. (Avoiding the temptation to say Alas!).