Hot

I was awoken a bit early by a persistent headache which sent me to the kitchen drawer where I keep the paracetamol.

I then drifted in and out of sleep whilst my brain worked out the order of activities for the day. The sky was bluish although the morning was cool, so I decided to go out with H good and early. I called in at the Illis on the way and we picked up Minnie who is now about to stay with us for a couple of weeks whilst the Illis are in. Norway.

They don’t actually leave until Wednesday, or it might be Wednesday for some of them. It all hangs on whether they can scramble themselves to the plane on time from Nottingham, where G has been selected to play in an important hockey goings on.

Depending upon how his Oxfordshire team get on will mean they play in either a match at 1.30pm or one at 3.30pm. Now, to get to Gatwick for a flight around 7.00pm… well you can work it all out for yourself.

There are further confusing possibilities and events which I will relate each day as they do or do not happen.

Anyway, Minnie, Heidi and I walked and paddled down by the river at Pangbourne. Minnie found the call of the individual moored boats utterly irresistible. She found it necessary to go and visit each one and introduce herself to their sailors. And H, of. course, had to follow. The fishermen were not left out either. So there was a fair bit of running around involved.

I dropped them off at home and abandoned them whilst I went to Waitrose where I bought potatoes ( amongst other things) for yet another boureki. They get tastier by the day!

At Waitrose, whose car park was surprisingly busy for 10.00 on a Sunday morning, I spied a whole display of Hot Lips. How could I possibly resist? I have pots becoming available due to my amazing violas reaching the end of their displays.

Whilst in NOrmandy, I encountered quite large bushes of Hot Lips, and they are really pretty. My other crimson / mauve salvia is doing incredibly well so I hope my HL follow suit.

At Waitrose …Hot Lips

In France …in the distance under the grey notice board

I had watered the market garden earlier, and was dismayed to detect the presence of slugs. I have one dahlia plant and it must be very tasty because it is well nibbled. There should have been two dahlia plants but that is another story. The greedy pests are also investigating my courgettes. But not for much longer, I hope, decisive action has been taken.

This year I am learning what plants grow well in pots. Tall fuschias do not. Neither do bush tomatoes. My beans need either fewer plants or a bigger planter. Cucumbers probably need more heat.

I relaxed for a while at home with the Olympics droning on in the background. Minnie joined me whilst H lay outside until it got too hot.

I have Fleur to collect from Truckfest and then here for a sleepover. Ali and Dave and G are in Nottingham. I suppose the Robert’s are in Devon. It’s all a bit of a mystery. I’ll just go with the Flo!

Above, waiting for F at the Truckfest pick up point. The traffic seemed to be very well managed and directed with special car tracks laid over the fields. Presumably to avoid trouble in case of rain and mud.

Fleur and I returned to be greeted by the two doggies. We had snacks, watched a bit of News and Olympic TV and retreated to bed.

Thought for the Day