H was home for all of two days from Spain before he packed a different set of kit – bike winter wear mostly, brr – and headed off with the local Mamils to the Hebrides for a week's cycling the Hebridean Way, as you do (if you're very strangely inclined).
An amusing set of pix has been sent southwards – ranging from his little plane landing on the beach at Barra …
To some truly stunning looking beaches…
As well as the more realistic picture of them all sheltering in a bus stop from the thumping hail! It was damn cold up there too apparently.
Anyway – they made it round and are flying back home today, post a celebratory curry last night. The rusty thing is the route map and probably looks like most buildings do, up in the land that trees and sunshine forgot!
In the meantime I've had the dubious pleasure of walking Mads each day – here finding pretty much the ONLY puddle/sticky mud morass left on the common and looking deliriously happy doing a full length sprawl and wiggle in it. Why am I still hosing my filthy dog off post walks in blooming June????!
K's Bandstand Day finally rolled round too this Fri, and a bunch of us ex-AVers were treated to a sunny afternoon in her massive garden, with BBQ cooked by Dunx and eaten by the seven of us. Mucho endless catching up, with chats ranging from some prosaic recycling bins waffle to some rather fruity bits that we were hoping K's neighbours weren't also enjoying… We shifted up to said Bandstand (nice wooden thingy – with necessary blankets, June again underperforming – at the top of the garden) and having had lunch, dessert, scones, tea and everything else she had amazingly laid on, I finally got home around 8pm. Dinner was…. yes, two more chicken drumsticks from said BBQ. I don't think I've actually cooked anything just for me while H has been away. Whoops….
Am now in the final 5 days now before I go to Miami and the house is rented out for the tennis. Lots of lists being made (Stuff for Miami. Stuff for staying at Fi & Rich's, Stuff for 2 weeks on the boat. Presents & birthday cards for 5 weeks across June & July. Random bits to handover to people on the way etc etc). And much clearing of the house's surfaces and cupboards. Who knew we had a patch of mould (yuk!) in our middle bedroom? Luckily Liam the painter/builder is back on Wed to do some shower grouting and now he's got another job on his list…
Mad day ahead today – lunch with old school chum Fiona, tea & dog walk with Hatch & Lyds, then supper up in the village with Anita from next door. Maxing the girl chat before H is back! x