Malawi & More

 My Saturday morning involved watching the scaffolding coming down and making a lovely salad for BigA and me. Later he headed off to watch The Odesy and I went for a little garden party and sing song with the Folk 33 lot and then back to the E for the DJ set there with the Bs. Back for cuddles and a catch up with my lovely husband. I forwent the after party I was invited to. Remarkably I woke feeling refreshed and ready for a good garden tidy, now I could get the brush down the side again and BigA quickly fixed the hanging basket bracket and hosepipe hook up. I felt very proud of my little garden and how it's coping with no rain. At least it wasn't roasting hot. Later that day one of BigA's child hood pals and wife arrived. They have returned from another stint overseas and we're using us as a base to house hunt. They have moved home 9 times in the last 18 years. They both agree it's never fun.  This week saw me having a much desired catch up with a very long lastin...

S and I were both feeling delicate after the night before and so agreed on a slow day which was garden based to begin with and then a slow stroll to the beach, fizzy drink, pier, sand, sea, ice-cream, home for a nap. That day also gave the joyful news that A's suitcase had turned up, complete and undamaged. Phew. (She looks like she's had the most wonderful time) Then to complete a delightful day, off with a delicious evening Indian meal.  And then the day we'd come so far for. We awoke fresh and excited. The background is simply a chance image that S saw and sent to our little WhatsApp group of 'Wuthering Heights day'. And then I saw that this year there was one at G, My home town! (This might even be an annual event although none of us had heard of it) And you can't ignore the fates telling you to go, that would be rude. Dressed in my only red dress that kinda still fits and Sharon in a plum red and glorious flowery, Frida Kahloesque headdress, we set off to ...

It felt like a busy morning, A's birthday presents and a tidy to get the dust up from the solar installation and then I got ready for the game day. Sadly not me playing but still off to Tottenham leisure centre to set up etc. This did mean I avoided the arrival of A's mates and could ignore any sleeping arrangements being agreed and made for that night. I was very pleased that a bunch of mates and A's group all came and A had booked a table for her lot in the same pub I was in for the skating after party. We'd got them tickets to the game so they boosted numbers and, although they didn't have a clue what was going on at first, I think they enjoyed the sport. After the pub BigA and I were able to wander home together and went via Lidl - and impulse bought an air fryer!  A and her pals were all up and about relatively early the next day and it was great that they headed off to get last minute tickets for Wicked. I was lucky enough to have M and D over for a bit that m...

   Irritatingly I woke up early and just could not get back to sleep so gave up and got up and then set about doing a good old garden session, channeling my inner M by clearing away dead stuff, digging up a sad looking lavender that was spoiling the height lines and deciding that the bench was best left to the woodlice. Harvested the potatoes before the slugs destroyed it all and sorted the little vegetable patch as best I could. All this with a gentle breeze and cloud cover so I didn't get at all hot and I felt really rather pleased with my efforts.  A had a lie in, having been shattered by the physical week of work. I love spoiling her, breakfast in bed and making her food she enjoys. We had a lovely afternoon in the garden, chatting away and had our dinner there too before a bang on average film and me off to bed. Sunday I went to roller derby practice and was able to take part for the first hour but didn't try the much more hitting bit so headed home to get bits ready...

  My morning was delightful as my still teenage child was already up and in the garden with an iced coffee she'd made herself and I got her tiny paddling pool out and we sat with cool feet while we told each other about the night before. She had seen school friends, including her two favourite history teachers and me with old work school pals.  I'm of course that's age where I was really looking forward to seeing a pal but almost equally delighted when he said he wasn't feeling great so we did not do the bottomless brunch in boiling hot London. Instead I set about doing a cupboard sort out to fit the plastic plates Margaret had donated. I'd taken a good load into school and still have some left. I cleaned one freezer draw and did a general tidy in anticipation of 2 of A's uni pals who were coming for the week ahead. That evening we had a very nice time with a different pal who bought over stuff for a rather lovely evening of cocktails. Very chilled and relaxed e...

I had a blissfully uneventful Saturday in which I mainly read a book. Sunday a little busier, skating and a little house party to celebrate our friends twins turning 18. That's was lots of fun and we met lots of family which meant being there felt like we were kinda family too.  BogA had a bit of difficulty finding a vehicle that could fit in ayla's art that is now home. And has been trying to find people to not quote us insane money to fix our drain pipe. At this rate I suspect he'll do half the job himself, the demolition part so they can't say it cost nearly £6000.  The heat has been interesting, the loud and long thunder storm on Monday night woke the house, which included the cats. My school refusing to shut and still, for some unknown reason, insisting on ties on. I did 2 mornings for the training I deliver, so useful for me and does make me pine for a little more autonomy at work. But the longer I'm there the more I remember that the simpler life is often the...