Ginger Beer saves the day.

After a two staged breakfast and lots of chatting we all went off to the Man in the Moon for lunch which was nice, but it was noisy as there were several groups of people being very loud (as Toby said, they were like Orcs). Afterwards Mas went off to work on his computer and Toby and I went off to Hampstead.

Once in Hampstead we went to The Flask to have a ginger beer and ice as the weather was so hot and humid. http://www.theflaskhampstead.co.uk/history.htm We then walked over Parliament Hill Fields, and saw people springing from a diving board into one of the swimming ponds; the water was quite full of people. We stopped to watch a fierce looking dog playing gently and protectively with a baby. We walked through Kenwood and eventually came out on the Spaniard's Road.
We were walking along, but noticed a bus stop told us we were headed for Golders Green, so tuned round and walked back until we got to the Gate and someone confirmed we were walking the wrong way. All I can say is that the bus must be traveling to the right to get to the left! This must have added another couple of miles to our walk.
Once in Hampstead we had to have another ginger beer before returning to Edgware.

Toby arrives in the UK

Toby arrived from Toronto yesterday around 4.00am and went down to Pete's; I spoke to them later in the day.

My brother Peter came to see us, and we sat in the garden talking for a while before having lunch; the weather was very hot and humid, interspersed with sudden showers, but it was a nice change relaxing in the garden.
Later I walked Peter down to the station and saw him off before it got too late.


Today Mas had an appointment at the Royal Free Hospital at midday, but came back quite quickly. Toby arrived around 4.00pm, looking very well. We all had a lot to talk about, but managed to break off long enough to go to The Harvester pub at Mill Hill for an evening meal which we all enjoyed.

House cleaning and air clearing

I was woken yesterday morning by what sounded like hailstones bouncing against the window but what turned out to be lots of sparrows pecking on the bedroom window sill.
We spent all day shampooing carpets throughout the house as we had hired a cleaning machine, and then spent time tidying up again. Luckily the weather was so hot they all dried very quickly. After we had finished Manu called and chatted, and I talked to Florence and Diane.

Today as it is Saturday we went to St. Albans to shop at the market. Tania and Robert could not meet us for lunch, so for a change we went to The Peahen pub for a snack, but it was not as nice as the places we usually eat in. There was music and a large crowd in front of the Clock Tower as there were various groups in costume doing Morris dancing.

When we arrived home there was a prolonged thunder storm which cleared the air a bit as it has been so hot and humid lately.

Wedding Anniversary and other hazards

Yesterday we contacted the breakdown people and they took the car to the garage for us to be repaired, I went off for a session with the dental hygienist. Later I collected the car and so far it seems fine.

Today is our wedding anniversary, and we did not remember this until the evening. Mas went down to Victoria to meet a friend, and did my usual things. I went into the garden to do a bit of tidying up and found Salty guiltily looking at the collapsed washing line and all the laundry on the grass.

Later I went round to Myk and Marias' and walked with him to a local council meeting, me in my capacity as a seat filler, but Myk had various important matters to discuss; Jim was there too. I was quite surprised at how forthright everyone was, and there were one or two moments of pure comedy. Before long Mas arrived, and when a natural break occurred we left the proceedings leaving Myk to deal with the problem of the brown summer rats on everyone's behalf. We walked to Amarreta's and had a pizza and a glass of wine before repairing home.

Stubborn car and cuddly cat

We did our usual chores, and I did some gardening and filing which I hate to do. Later Mas had to go to the post office and suggested we go out for a coffee as a change of scene. After trying to start the car unsuccessfully a few times Ben appeared and looked at the car as well. He dropped us off at the post office and we did have a coffee out.

In the evening Mas made some nice vegetable soup, which we had with a glass of wine. Salty decided to honour us with his presence and for a change wanted to sit on my lap, so Mas took these photos to mark this unusual event.

Free fish and rose mysteries

I phoned Pete, and both he and Lorraine were feeling a bit under the weather. Mas and I planned to go to Borehamwood and get Salty some more of his food. Just as we were leaving home we met Myk who chatted with us for a while and bought us up to date with local current events.

Once in Borehamwood we went to the Golden Plaice and had a fish and chip lunch, and they gave us a cold fish for Salty, which he enjoyed later, and about four sausages! While we were having lunch the Borehamwood Carnival passed by, and I was sorry I had not got my camera.


We got another sack of kibbles for Salty , but the pet shop were doing a session of dog photos for their owners so we were pleased to leave quickly to escape the noise, and that was just the pet owners!








The roses are very good this year. We have a rose mystery; we had a bush of white roses at the front of the garden, and a pink one at the side near the house. These roses seem to have changed places as where there was pink there are now white roses and where the whites used to be are now pink!

Injections and communications

I began doing my mistletoe injections again, and later put all the stuff back into the bathroom again. Pete is due home again today and I am glad the weather has settled down now. I called Florence and had a nice e mail back from Betty, and Pete phoned too. Mas spent most of the day on his computer and we watched the X Files and the Bill in the evening.

Today I refreshed a few more plants and re did a planter that had become root bound. We went swimming, then collected some shopping from Stanmore. My stupid computer is still behaving temperamentally and I could not send my usual Friday note to Romy, so phoned Toby; he was off to meet Romy for a birthday celebration dinner with a friend.

Stormy weather on Toby's birthday

Today is Toby’s birthday, and I managed to send him an e card before the computer began to be disobedient. Mas had gone out to meet a friend while I finished painting the bathroom, I got a headache and took some aspirin which I don’t usually. Later I lay down and watched the storm as the lightening began to flicker in the distance, gradually drawing closer. Strangely there was not much thunder with it, and I thought I saw one fork of lightening come from the earth and go upwards into the clouds, but I suppose my eyes were playing tricks.

Pete called from Guernsey and made me laugh with his attempts to get me some cosmetic cream that I had asked him to get for me. In the evening I tried to email Betty, but after four attempts, with the computer randomly checking it’s files and scanning everything and repeatedly switching itself off after a series of loud clicks I got so hot and annoyed I had to go off and eat ice cream for a while. Eventually I managed to send off the email to Betty.

No time for my guitar

Pete went to Guernsey on Monday, lucky thing! I mixed up yet another colour to repaint the coffee table in the conservatory which has become scruffy and scratched. Once I had finished painting it looked brand new again. This naturally led to a bit of plant re potting. It is terrible how I get led on from one thing to another and never get time to learn to play the guitar!


Today we were having breakfast Maheena called round with the news that her daughter has been awarded a place at the Henrietta Barnett School, which is what they had hoped for. I received a box of mistletoe medication, but as I wanted to be busy today did not take any, but started painting the bathroom and put on the first white coat of paint. Mas and I put all the things back in the shed as he had finished repairing it and had put up new shelves.

Lunch with Tania and Robert, swimming the next day.

I after the usual chores we drove off to St. Albans in lovely weather. We met Tania and Robert at Sazio’s for lunch; Tania is really enjoying her new job. We had a nice lunch, then wandered about the market, and got some shopping before we drove home.

Today I did some gardening, and we went swimming in the afternoon. I asked the life guard if he ever had to give the kiss of life or resuscitate any of the swimmers as the water was so cold, and he was joking about it, but did say that the temperature never reached 27°, which is the agreed minimum in the manifesto of the group that operates the leisure centre.

Mas went for a coffee with one of the neighbours, and I tried to catch up with my emails. Later I watched Last of the Summer Wine; how nice to escape for half an hour to a fantasy place where people are never rude or violent, and have lots of time for silliness and jokes.

Bruised but not beaten

I finished painting the cupboards, and we went swimming in the afternoon. I am beginning to wonder if gravity is suddenly getting stronger, or maybe I have been watching too many X Files, but this time a full bottle of shampoo fell onto my foot in the showers. Strangely my toe got a more spectacular bruise than when the sledgehammer fell on my other foot.

I sorted out some old photographs and Mas scanned them and sent them to Pete. It is sad looking at past photos, as so many of the people in them are no longer alive.

Today I had another hospital appointment, and the doctor formally told me that all recent tests were clear, and that I did not have to have another scan for six months.
On the way home I called into the library and took some books out. In the evening we watched a NCIS

Colour conundrums and chords

Yesterday we drove off to Watford Arches, to B&Q, to buy some more paint, namely the same colour we had painted the hall. We got this paint made up, then went to Curry's to look at fridges as ours has been leaking for some time. Mas having previously researched what we needed, we bought it with the promise that it would be delivered tomorrow.

Once home I painted the cupboards again as it has now become a habit. The paint was not the same as the hall colour!

Today the fridge was delivered by a cheery couple of men, and we installed it. I mixed a different paint colour and painted the cupboards again ( it has now become a daily addiction).
This time the colour is perfect! Mas got shopping and we watched another nutty episode of the X Files.

You may wonder how my guitar playing is coming along. I have reached the stage where I can play a chord, then have a cup of tea and work out where to place my fingers for the next one. There is definitely improvement!

No change of heart, only paint!

Wynford called round for coffee, as arranged, this morning, and told us all the romantic details of his engagement to Rupa. They have in fact been in love for seventeen years, and all their families and friends wish them well and are happy about their engagement.

Christiane called in briefly and gave me some leaflets, we were sorry she had to rush off.

Later Mas and I agreed that we could no longer stand the colour of the painted kitchen cupboards, and I said I would mix paints, and make one that matched the floor exactly, and repaint them tomorrow.

Today Glen came round at 11.00 and we talked of Wynford's engagement, and many, many, other things while having tea and biscuits. After lunch I painted the cupboards again in exactly the same colour as the floor; it looked awful.

Sallty was keeping a low profile, sleeping in an untidy wardrobe.

Three annoyances

Yesterday was one of those days! I found I had lost my credit card, after walking to the bank, so I walked home to make sure it was not somewhere there. Having searched the place endlessly, I walked back to the bank taking a different card so that I could get some money out, and the cash point swallowed that card. I was able to get some money out as I had taken my passport, but had to cancell both cards and order new ones. Grrrr!

Later I spoke to Pete and Tony called too, so the day ended on a good note.

Today I did some gardening and chores. Mas went out briefly, and while he was gone I dropped a sledge hammer onto my foot. I was still standing, wondering if all my bones had been turned to pulp when Mas came back, looked at me and made a cup of tea. Later I found I could still wiggle all my toes, so knew I was alright. Nevertheless, Mas took my library books back for me.

Anthroposophy before voting

This morning at breakfast I sneezed, almost fatally startling Mas, and causing me much mirth.

I had to go down to Euston today as I had an appointment to see my Anthroposophic doctor. I was surprised to see that hundreds of special bicycle racks have been installed by the station which seems a good idea. I saw my doctor and was prescribed more Iscador injections.

Walking back through Euston I was presented with a lime in connection with a drinks advertisement. I picked up a bit of shopping on the way home. Later I popped out to vote in the church hall just up the road, and ran into Myk and Maria and friends I had not seen for a long time. Maria was being very funny in a conversation about Madonna.

Mas and I watched the X Files whose plots seem to be getting more absurd by the day.

Chinese Lanterns and sedatives

I heard on the radio that over last weekend, which had been very warm, hundreds of orange lights were spotted in the sky over England and the continent. UFO spotters must have been disappointed when it was found to be lit up Chinese Lanterns that people had set off , no doubt the same kind that were sent up into the sky during Marion's party.

I had to have my last meal before 1.00pm as I am due to go to hospital for a procedure tomorrow and will be given sedatives. I am not good at fasting, but managed it.

I spoke to Diane who will be going for a cycling holiday in France soon. I also saw Wynford who got engaged over the weekend.

Today I went off to the hospital, arranging that Mas would come and collect me later. I was told that would not do, and he must be at the hospital while I was under sedation. I saw the surgeon and nurses, and was given a sedative, and the surgeon asked if it was beginning to work, I said no, then noticed that everything looked strange. The next thing that happened, as far as I was concerned, was a nurse adjusting the bed and bringing me tea and biscuits; I had been deeply asleep for an hour and felt completely refreshed. I was told that everything was completely normal.

Mas took me home, and we had a light meal and watched Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider, and when I went to bed I slept like a log; the best night's sleep all year.

Short Haired Bumble Bee and Best Dressed Lady

Last night I heard that the Short Haired Bumble Bee (Bombus Subterraneous) is being reintroduced to England, back to Kent. It was taken to New Zealand to help with the pollination of red clover, which was used as cattle fodder, more than 100 years ago. This bee lives underground, as its name suggests, and has a usefully long tongue, and looks as if it has just had a sharp haircut. It has been extinct here since 1988; let us hope it will survive.

We went shopping, and did lots of gardening today, and in the evening watched The Contract, with Morgan Freeman and John Cusak which was entertaining.

Poppy laughingly told us that when in Guernsey she was recently voted the best dressed lady at the races, and was on the front page of The Guernsey Press paper, and won a bottle of champagne.

A Taste of Spain and other meals

Tania drove to Edgware, and then we went off to Baker Street where we met Evelyn. We walked to Regent's Park, had tea and a piece of cake at the Garden Cafe there, then looked at the rose garden.

Later we walked to Regent Street, which had been cleared of traffic for the day to host 'A Taste of Spain'. This was a promotional event for various regions of Spain to show their cultural heritage and sell things too. There were huge crowds attending, but everyone seemed in good spirits. Later I heard that the weather was warmer than Morocco at the time.

We had an enjoyable day although our feet were sore from standing and watching different displays. We went to Nando's and had a welcome meal and bottomless drink which revived us somewhat; we were too hungry to wait for the giant paellas to be cooked.

When we had seen everything and were really tired Tania and I decided to go home by bus. Evelyn, who is made of stronger stuff, went on to do some window shopping. As we bussed home we were pointing out places of interest to each other. Tania phoned Robert to say she was coming home, and he said that he was driving down to Mason's so that we could all go out for dinner!

We had dinner at our Man in the Moon which was fun, then we went home. As Tania and Robert were about to leave Poppy and Ben came out and were talking to us too. It turned out to be a very sociable day.

Kindness and returning friends

Today was another sunny hot day. We went off to St. Albans, and were surprised at how clear the roads were for a Saturday. Mas started shopping, and I went off to see if I could find The Rock Guy who sells all manner of beautiful stones which I always like looking at. He only works in the market on a Saturday. When I a saw him he asked me how I was, and I told him. He gave me a small piece of Petalite which he said was a good preventative for many illnesses, told me how to meditate with the stone and how to cleanse it afterwards. He would not take any payment which is typical of him.

We hurried to the Bua Thai restaurant and met Tania and Robert for lunch there, and caught up with all their news. We got a little more fruit afterwards, and I drove home while Mas snoozed. When we got home we saw Poppy's car and Ben's van parked opposite our house, so knew they had come back from Guernsey where they have been living for some time. The people who had been renting their house called by to say goodbye, and said they had found another flat to live in.

Kittens picture sent by Joan

Groundhog days

Another day of kitchen work. Mas plastered part of the kitchen ceiling while I painted on the first coat of cupboard paint. Mas was leaning backwards while putting on the plaster and it was dropping onto him in splatters. When he finished it, he took off his T shirt, and as he went upstairs he caught sight of himself in the mirror "Good Lord! I look like a dawg!" he said. Surprised, I asked what kind, he said "101 Dalmatians", when I remarked that they had black spots he said "you can't get everything right!" He always makes me laugh.

In the spirit of entente cordial both of us had compromised on the colour of the cupboard paint, Mas preferred a mauvey mushroom colour while I veered towards yellow. We got what was called 'Stoneware'. Reading the paint tin which said 'do not overwork the paint' I understood why; it was so that the paint had enough energy left to run, which it did. If I had named the colour of the paint I would have called it 'ancient porridge'.

Another Groundhog day! Another coat of cupboard paint, and we kept remarking on how clean it looked, how much larger the kitchen seemed, all day. We both hate it of course, but won't admit it. In the end we said we would see how it looked when the new flooring was done, and if we did not like it after a year we could redo it. Privately I thought if I have to look at that colour for a year I would be like Dracula exposed to daylight; I would turn to dust and blow away.

Today we spent cleaning up, I did all the tiles, cupboards and fridge. Mas began repairing the concealed, over counter light which has not worked for years. It is horrible that once one room is done, all the others look worse and suddenly need fixing up as well. At this point Mas and I were too tired to think anymore, especially about starting on another room!

Memories of my mother and Walter Matthau

Today Salty bounded into the house when we got up. He is sporting a red, sore, nose, just at the tip, but does not seem too bothered about it.

Mas had to go off to the bank this morning and do various other chores. I began painting the ceiling and walls in the kitchen; the plan is to start at the top and work down.

While I was painting, I remembered my mother decorating, and me helping her from a very young age. The first step had been to buy some cider to drink while we worked, and the second was to get two glasses! The ceilings in our flat were very high, and we had to work on ladders, or standing on a chair placed on a table; the surprising thing was that neither of us ever fell off! I suppose that these days all this would amount to child abuse, but it was fun at the time! I do not recall that she ever drank cider at any other times.

After the depredations of the war my mother enjoyed decorating, and also liked to change the function of each room frequently, so all the furniture was dragged from room to room, and colour schemes changed. If my mother bought some new paint, and liked the colour, she would use all of the leftover paint on odd things, so door handles and pipes were often highlighted in this way, or door panels; I remember Eau de Nile being a particular favourite.

I finished the walls, which took several coats of paint, and the ceiling, except for one area that Mas is going to re plaster tomorrow. In the evening we had a glass of red wine to celebrate our progress, some pizza, and watched an old favourite film with Walter Matthau called Hopscotch.

Strangleing cats and painting preparation

On Saturday we took Salty back to the vets to have his tail checked; he is repairing nicely. The vet said if she saw him again too soon she would strangle him, and I said I would help her to do it.

My eyes were hurting today and I thought that I may be going to get a cold after such cold swimming yesterday. We went back to the DIY store and changed the colour of our paint, and got more floor wood.

On Sunday the weather was warm and sunny, but I spent the day washing down the walls and cupboards with sugar soap, thus breaking the habit of a lifetime as I have always painted over grime and cobweb so sealing them in. Reflecting on this later I decided to go back to my old ways next time, too much preparation is for the birds!

I also managed to get in a bit of gardening, and planted a few more cuttings; I am trying to spend a bit of time each day in the garden to raise my vitamin D levels. The garden is looking nice at the moment. Mas went off and got some shopping, and yet more DIY stuff. I did not get a cold, and my eyes are OK again. I am reading a book by Alan Coren called The Cricklewood Dome. I have always admired people who can write about ordinary, everyday things, and make me laugh out loud.

Chores and swimming lessons

Yesterday passed in a blur of preparation to do our kitchen makeover. We found some wood for the floor, loaded it into our car together with special cupboard paint that is supposed to cover melamine. On the way back we spotted Jim and Mary, waiting at the bus stop, so stopped to pick them up, forgetting that the back seat was filled with wood; Mary however squeezed herself in, leaving Jim to come home by bus.

We watched The Mentalist, I am beginning to really dislike his character, always smirking in the face of tragedy, and the X Files. It is pathetic how little of interest there is to watch now that we have 500 channels to choose from.t

Today I dashed off to the library, getting my books back under the wire just in time. We then went swimming, feeling very virtuous as we got into the very cold water. Some young boys were being tested to see if they could swim, one could not, so he had to sit on the side while his friend swam as they had not got a responsible adult with them. Mas volunteered to look after them, and before long, with Mas teaching him, the boy could swim the width of the pool!

Cat astrophes, kitchen DIY and lunch

We kept Salty indoors overnight, only to find he had knocked two plants off the conservatory windowsill, breaking a hand painted painted bowl in the process, but at least he seemed to be feeling well. After clearing the mess up I did a bit more in the shed, then walked to Edgware to collect prescriptions, on the way back I met Mary and Jim, and they talked to me for almost an hour.

Later Mas and I discussed changing our kitchen, as it is looking rather scruffy, so went off to a DIY store to collect some paint charts, and also looked at wood veneer flooring, as the one we have seems to be wearing out.

Today we planned to go to St. Albans, but Robert could not meet us as he was too busy, and Tania has started her new job. We drove up admiring all the new foliage on the trees, and stopped to take a few photos on the way. Once in St. Albans we had lunch at Sazios before collecting our shopping and heading home.






Click on photo to enlarge.














I spoke to Pete, and also Margaret phoned and chatted. We watched the X Files and Numbers in the evening.

Traumatic cat neutering and relaxing with Genghis Khan

We got up early and took Salty off to the vets before we even had our morning coffee. We left him there, and went home and had breakfast. Both of us felt sad for the cat, even though we believe we are doing the right thing for his health, apart from the fact that we cannot afford to support his love life.

We moped around all day doing our usual chores, and got shopping at Stanmore and went for a pub lunch. We collected Salty from the vets at 3.30pm, and took him home. The vet had cleaned up the bites on his tail, and shaved off a lot of his tail fur as well as neutering him; he was very pleased to be home again.

Florence phoned and chatted, and in the evening we watched a Russian version of Genghis Khan which was very interesting. We had been advised to keep Salty in all night until the anaesthetic was out of his system, so we did, and went to bed quite early

Good news from Tania, and last meal for doomed cat

Yesterday I walked to Stanmore for the exercise, and picked up a small amount of shopping before going home, and painting more of the shed.

Tania sent me some special gloves in the hope that I could wear them when trying to play the guitar, so not cutting my fingertips. She also enclosed a card she had made, using a photo she had taken when we were on holiday in Madeira; this bought back a lot of nice memories.

I phoned Tania later, and found out that she has got the job that she applied for some time ago, and is very pleased, and will start her induction next Monday.


Today Salty began taking his antibiotics. He has had them before and loves them. He begs for them and purrs while eating them. He is feeling better now, and is more lively.

I did more painting in the shed which also involves sorting things out and tidying up, and deciding if anything should be thrown away, or recycled. I watched a funny episode of Last of the Summer Wine in the evening. Salty had his last meal at 8.00pm, and we kept him indoors all night as we had to make an early start to go to the vets in the morning.

Planned preventative medicine

When we got up Salty was looking a bit mopey, his tail was still hurting and he did not eat very much. We decided we should take him to the vet again, and made a late afternoon appointment.

I went off to the hospital as arranged, and for a change had a mammogram, afterwards I met one of my friendly nurses in the hospital who cheered me up by sorting out all my appointment problems.

I went home as quickly as possible afterwards to go to the vets with Mas. The vet after looking quickly at his tail gave him a shot, and some penicillin pills for me to give him at home to prevent abscesses. We agreed to have him neutered, and fixed the date, and the vet said when he was anaesthetised she would look at his tail properly.

In the evening we watched a NCIS and then I went into the garden and took the dry laundry off the cloths line when it was dark. I wondered briefly if I removed all my cloths whether I would glow in the dark after so much radiation, and how long it would be before Edgware had a ghostly reputation.

Hurt tail and debt of gratitude

Yesterday morning Salty rushed indoors purring loudly but also trembling violently. I had noticed that he had not run in with his tail raised as usual, so I thought he had hurt it. He would not let me look at it, so I thought it must be really painful, ans spent time calming him down.

Mas had planned to meet a friend at lunchtime, and he was out until late afternoon. Salty spent most of the day sleeping, so I painted half of the interior of our garden shed in leftover white paint, it had become so dingy it looked like a medieval prison cell.

Salty seemed much better in the evening and ate with a good appetite, but he still was not raising his tail.

Today we were expecting Pat for lunch, but as the weather was not good enough to eat in the garden we decided to go to the Man in the Moon for a pub lunch. Pat arrived bearing wine and flowers, and we went of and had a meal which we all enjoyed.

We came home and had a few glasses of wine in the conservatory; we had a lot to talk about as we had not seen each other for some time. Mason had bought a chocolate brownie cheese cake (1,000 calories a slice), and we had some of that too before Pat had to leave and go home.

Pat is an old friend to whom I owe a huge debt of gratitude.

Glossy magazines and an itchy business

We had a day at home clearing up, gardening and cooking. Myk called round with an update on the traffic situation, and Maria sent round lots of glossy magazines for me to read which was a nice surprise. I like looking at them in case there are any unusual colour schemes that may be useful to me, and I enjoy reading the recipes of delicious desserts although I am generally too lazy to actually make them.

Diane phoned sounding rather chipper, and Pat phoned too. Mas and I relaxed in the evening and watched something not very memorable before going early to bed.

Today Salty came in covered in strange, long wriggly fleas which could jump too. I was surprised to see fleas on him as we have Frontlined him. I spent about an hour combing him which he usually likes, but today I had to struggle with him while I did it, and put up with a lot of fearsome growling. Eventually they were all dispatched, but I got a crop of bites too. Mas went off to the chemist and got me some antihistamine cream to rub on.

Afterwards I did some gardening, before putting all my cloths into the washing machine and myself into a bath, and tried not to think about wriggling insects anymore.

On Tuesday I checked Salty at length to see if he was still clear of fleas, and then we went swimming. The water was so cold, a couple of penguins swum past me in the pool, but as usual we felt invigorated walking back to the car later.

Marion's birthday party

Yesterday we were busy shopping in the morning, and in the afternoon I coloured my hair. I got distracted doing other things and left the colour in my hair a bit too long. I rinsed and washed it, then noticed I had a dark line across my forehead where the shower cap had been, which would not come off. Typical!

In the evening we went to White Hawk's Medicine Lodge (aka Marion's house). It was Marion's birthday a few days earlier so she was holding a party to celebrate this. By mistake Mas and I arrived a bit early , so I helped Marion prepare the food and chatted to her while Mas was talking to people in the garden. As usual Marion had lots of interesting people to talk to, and it was nice to see her family again, but a bit shocking to see how mature they are now, when I remember hearing the youngest on a baby monitor many years ago.

A huge fire was lit in the garden with people sitting around chatting, and some indoors too. There was a lot of delicious food and interesting conversations going on. I discovered that Marion's brother Phil has the same taste in funny books as I do, and also that he has other talents as well as being an actor. www.philip-philmar.co.uk. In the meantime mini hot air balloons were being released into the dark night air, and we could see them rising and disappearing into the distance.

We has a really enjoyable evening, and got home much later than we had previously intended.