Monday was a bank holiday. Mark just wanted to rest really, so we didn't get up to much, but that was fine with me. I read my book a while and was joined by my girls.
In the evening, Mark helped me make some of the modifications to my bike. We replaced the handle bars with a more sit up, swept back style and added new grips,
It took about half an hour to cycle into the center of town. The cycle path from here is all flat or downhill going into Bristol, so it was just brilliant, it was impossible to work up a sweat. There were plenty of other bike commuters too, so I felt quite happy using the underpasses and all along the route which took me to the end of the cycle path, across the main road and through Castle Park.
Mark's parents arrived at lunch time. Mark and Tim got started on some DIY, they were aiming to improve the insulation on the bay window roof. Deirdre and the girls walked to the shops to get some things in for tea and a BBQ on Saturday.
We showed Deirdre and Tim around the garden and sat for a while by the (unlit) fire pit.
Woo, breaking in her new school shoes and trying out some Irish Dancing
On Saturday morning, I got on with some gardening jobs. I had some plug plants to pot on and a bit of weeding and clearing.
Mark and his dad were busy on the roof job.
I also had a look at making a plan for the front garden. I have got a bit fed up with how wild it is. The cranesbill and Shasta daisies have run riot across the beds and are starting to choke out other plants.
It was ready to ride for Thursday morning. At about 7:30am, I set off along the cycle path towards Bristol.
At the office there is secure storage in the basement and a shower if I felt I needed it. It was quite busy in the office and I met a few people that I hadn't seen in the flesh before.
Woo had been feeling a bit restless at home, so went into town on the bus to meet up with her friends.
The ride home has a slight uphill gradient for most of the way. It levels out at Fishponds where you can rest a bit before the last section which is all rather steep up to the park. I was impressed with myself though as I cycled all the way up off the cycle path, up the steep hill and home. I am looking forward to doing it again, and I think that when I don't have to take the bus (like I will next week for getting Bunnykins started at school) then I will definitely choose cycling as my preference. It is the quickest method. It feels good to be under my own power and timetable and it being a good but manageable bit of exercise is a bonus.
It was nice to be working back at home on Friday. Both girls had to take covid-19 tests ready for starting back at school next week.
We had lunch together. I have been trying to eat a bit better and cut down on the rubbish. I have been feeling a bit sluggish. I had a nice egg salad for lunch. All the nicer for the runner beans, mange tout and tomatoes being from our garden.
When I was done, I grabbed a quick shower and then set out some lunch.
Not long after we had finished eating, Marian and the kids arrived. We sat around for a chat. Mark and Tim had finished and cleared up just before we ate, so that was good.
The pergola was much admired. I do love it. It is such a good place to sit out.
The kids were happy down the garden.
The kids went to try and play ping pong with two ping pong bats and 2 tennis racquets....mixed success apparently...
We got drinks at the cafe and then I wandered back to help Mark get set up for the BBQ.
We were all able to sit around the table to eat.
But then after, Mark got the fire pit going and we went down to sit around there.
The kids were hanging out on the deck.
Woo showed me a chandelier she had made for the tree house.
The kids were just generally grooving around, while we were chatting.
They brought out some ice creams. But then as the sun started to go down, it was time for marshmallows.
I had cut some willow sticks earlier in the day and Mark whittled the ends. The length of the sticks was certainly an innovation.
Woo's "Eye of Sauron" tower...
We had a lovely time sitting out. The kids were drawing charcoal designs on the pavers and playing with making patterns with the glowing sticks.
Woo discovered that when you blow on the stick - your face lights up which makes a good photo - time for more snaps!...
It was just generally a very nice evening...
I just love how our garden accommodates this kind of thing. I am so pleased with how it has turned out.
On Sunday morning, Mark made pancakes. Tim and Deirdre decided to head off after breakfast as they had had a difficult journey up here with the traffic.
Mark and Tim had a few other jobs they wanted to look at, so the rest of us went across to the park.
We were all able to sit around the table to eat.
I did a few jobs in the back garden (feeding my pots and saving some seed). Then Mark and I made a start on the front garden. The aim is to pull up all the cranesbill geranium, but due to space in the green bin we only did the bed infront of the bay and then a section across under the crab apple, where a hydrangea is being choked out by them.
When that was done, I gave Mark a haircut and then we had some lunch. After lunch he, I and Woo popped out to the garden center (Woo loves a garden center for some reason). We bought some soil improver for the cleared bed and I picked up some plants that will go in.
It was a beautiful evening. We are due a few more warm days and I will certainly be glad to see the sun. The heavy cloud we've been having is too oppressive, it doesn't help my mood at all. I need it to lift before autumn sets in.
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