One thing that Mark had done last weekend was to get his old frisbee t-shirts down from the loft. They went through the wash and the girls were very pleased to share them out. Bunnykins liked this one in particular "Don't be silly, don't chase bears". Mark and I were members of the Warwick Bears Ultimate Frisbee club when we were at university. Mark was captain of the club and team captain for many successful tournaments. Anyway, that was a great time, it is nice to see the old t-shirts on the girls, they are into the oversize fit.
On Monday I went out to Kevan's for a practice. There was only the three of us, but it was a nice evening.
The warm sunny weather was continuing into the week, so Mark and I were going out early to water any new plants. His poppy had started to flower on Tuesday.
I like the shadows though, the mix of these sun spots with the actual shapes of leaves looks beautiful to me.
We've been eating tea outside every evening. The girls were in their Warwick bears Ts.
I am not a great one for jokes, but there is one I remembered telling when I was at university. Thing is I couldn't quite remember it so I looked it up and told it. Bunnykins was impressed, Woo was a bit po-faced. But it made me laugh!
The evening was beautiful. I did a bit more work sitting outside, and finished about 8pm. I had a walk around the garden to clear my head. I realised I had forgotten to call John, but then turned out that he wasn't at home anyway.
I had been a bit frustrated with my hair Monday and Tues. It was all just a bit "bouffy", I had styled it as normal by washing my hair, curling it and going to sleep with it curled up in a scarf, but it just turned out wrong. Too frizzy and big in the wrong way.
Wednesday morning I had a shower first thing and styled it differently, I still did the curls, but no scarf and straight to using a diffuser to just get the ends to hold. I was so much happier with it. It was forecast to be the last of the super warm days. I put on a dress I have had for ages, I got it from a charity shop and do love it for the summer. It is a bit of an old housedress but I love the pattern and it is a nice thick cotton with deep pockets; styled up with a belt and some jewelry it always does well. I decided to try it with some broaches.
We had a quick chat on the drive, before I was back to it.
At lunch, Mark and I went out to the cafe. Rain was forecast for the rest of the week so we just wanted to make the most of getting out.
Some plants had arrived in the post during the day, including a passionflower for the shed and a couple of Rodgersia for my borders. When I got back and had eaten, Mark helped me with planting then made up a sort of trellis thing. I mean it is a bit... wonky donky, but it works!
Back inside, Bunnykins was working on some plans for a pretty amazing complex. There were more human experimentation labs than I would normally be comfortable with...but I was impressed by the detail.
I would have loved to stay sitting outside.
Bunnykins came out to join me which was lovely. But I had to go out to a Yr 6 meeting. There would only be 3 of us at a local pub, but I knew I needed to go and it was really helpful as the people who went picked up a lot of actions. But it was a wrench to tear myself away from Bunnykins and the pergola and this beautiful evening.
Thursday was still warm but overcast. Mark and I sat out by the bench for lunch. I noticed my geraniums were starting to flower.
The roses from next door were looking glorious along with the peonies, shame I have let them fall over as they are hard to rescue now.
I got started early on Friday, so I could finish early when the girls were both home from school. We all took covid tests and then headed down to Dorset. It was weird to leave my house. I haven't left it since our holiday last summer. I packed too many things and I didn't enjoy the travelling at all.
Ben had come over to the Bean Tree to check with Melody about some arrangements for starting up his groups from there again. I had a morning full of meetings, but did have 15minutes free and he came across with a coffee for me.
Straight from work, I took Bunnykins to Netball. She had had a trial the week before and hadn't been sure, but the club was keen to give her another chance to see if it was for her. She had found it a bit overwhelming that she didn't know anyone there, but she played really well. After this second session she decided that she would like to stay for the rest of the term. She'll miss next week, but it will be 4 sessions and she can decide if she would like to stay. The club, I think, are keen to have her play Goal Defense. At the height she is, I can see why. And she is very good with listening to the coaches and following the rules. She is a good player. I hope she wants to keep up with it, but I am trying not to put any pressure on.
I was lovely to see Deirdre and Tim and to give them a hug.
After having a very welcome supper we went out to see the van. Tim has been working hard on it.
It has so many original and retro features.
Including a cassette player that Tim put on playing Acker Bilk "Stranger on the Shore"... it certainly created an atmosphere
The girls were entranced 😃😄...
I love these photos!
We got the full tour of all the features. It really is such an amazing van. I could see Woo was struck.
(Mark with a recording of him in the choir at his primary school.)
On Saturday morning, we all just had a bit of a lazy morning having a nice breakfast and chatting. The girls were in the pool room with Woo doing homework and Bunnykins playing with Lego.
Granny and Grandpa have been doing so much clearing out as they are looking to downsize and move closer to Bristol and Chepstow.
Granny said that she had some clothes to clear out and would the girls like a look through. Well they always love a bit of a dress up and a "fashion show" even if they don't want any stuff. So this was fun. Bunnykins tried on a load of smart suit jackets that fitted really well, of course no use to an 11 year old, but we had a lot of fun joking about all the business meetings she could go to.
There was some nice stuff for each of us though. Bunnykins found a pair of great velvet trousers (no pictures of them here) and a lovely blue velvet shirt/jacket.
Woo tried on the dress that Deirdre had worn to mine and Mark's wedding. It really suited her. It is a lovely shape, very relaxed and simple. She liked it. She wont wear it unless to something really necessary...a wedding or something. But she may as well have it in her wardrobe.
I loved this suit jacket. Shame the trousers wouldn't fit me.
Bunnykins also liked this jacket that Deirdre had bought out in Arizona.
And there was a great Laura Ashley tweed waistcoat.
In the afternoon there was more clearing out in the sheds and garden. I found some teracotta pots that I am glad to give a home to. Deirdre dug up a few plants for us too. There were a few bits of garden furniture for other people and some tennis rackets that we are looking forward to using in the park. There are also some amazing retro beach umbrellas and an old tent that will make a good garden sleep over tent.
Then Deirdre brought out some cake and fizz for Mark's birthday.
The girls were having schloer, but we had a sparkling wine with cherry liqueur. It was so yummy, though did set me off needing a nap!
The girls had been looking forward to a swim for so long...
They were good at swimming against the current.
It was funny to see them in there now, adult sized, compared to when they were wee little toddlers floating around.
Sunday morning, Mark, Tim and the girls went off to volunteer at park run. I went off for a run around the block.
Parkrun volunteers:
They had a bit of a run and a wander when they had finished.
I sat in the pool room with them, writing up this blog post. I suggested we recreate some old photos of them in the pool 😄...
Mark, the girls and I went out to Poole to buy Stand up Paddle boards. This is the combined birthday and Christmas presents for Mark and I from Tim and Deirdre. We got two, they are inflatable so pack down relatively small...I say relatively as the boards are massive 11foot boards!
I know we struggle with clutter, but I hate to see good stuff go to waste.
In the afternoon Bunnykins did some more Lego. I helped Woo with practicing a speech she has to do for school.
The girls took the chance of another swim when they got back.
We had a lovely lunch and then packed up the car. There was a lot of stuff to take back with the two SUP boards, paddles, pumps, a lounger for Ben, some old windsurfer sails(!), the bags we had brought up here, plus plant pots, and various other finds! I was glad to be back home. It looks like the rain has been heavy and some of my plants are a bit flattened, but generally everything is fine.
I'm glad I have tomorrow off, as otherwise it will feel arg going back to work tomorrow after what feels like a busy weekend. It was nice to have a change of scene, and lovely to see Tim and Deirdre, but I am still feeling like such a home bird at the mo.
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