Washington DC

Washington DC is one of my most favourite cities in the world especially because of our friends James, Sara and Alexander. Walking out of the airport was like walking into a very warm bath of water but a thunderstorm at the moment should clear the air. The rain is actually bouncing off the back yard and poor Alexander is on his way back from the metro with the child minder!

Have been very brave and driven the jeep into town to buy needed supplies and for Mark to have his favourite crab cakes at Eastern Market. An historic building built in 1853 it was burnt down several years ago and has now reopened. It's a little like being in the Covered Market in Oxford but much smaller in floorspace but higher in height.

Lavender Harvest

Ok, so my harvest wasn't on the scale of the lavender harvest at Norfolk Lavender, (the oldest lavender farm in England), but it was a pretty impressive 300 stems and should make a few lavender bags when dried. The bees weren't too happy I was removing their food source so won't be going back for any more!

Dr Radcliffe's Rose

My rose, (given to me when I left Dr R's), has done really well this year and has avoided being eaten by deer, probably because of the defence system I set up around it! I like to think it has also enjoyed my year off and would benefit from a further year away from school!

Jedward, Lamborghini's and F1

Spent the weekend at Whittlebury Hall, Silverstone with our Godchildren. Highlights of our stay included just missing Jedward in the reception area, (who?), seeing a line of Lamborghini's parked outside the hotel who must have been there for a track day and being in the hotel where the drivers and teams stay during the Silverstone Grand Prix. We could hear racing going on from the hotel so we were very close to the circuit. Henry's highlight was probably being allowed to stay up until way past his bedtime,(after 10.30pm) and Rebecca soon got to grips with the new phone that we had given her. One huge breakfast later and we went our separate ways and I really don't think I'll eat til next week!

Mr and Mrs Andrew Allwright

The new Mr and Mrs Andrew Allwright were married at St. Ebbe's this afternoon in the brilliant sunshine. The bride looked lovely as she arrived in a vintage Morris Minor and excitedly walked down the aisle towards her groom. Afterwards tea, cake and Pimms were served in the church garden where all the guests mingled, chatted and enjoyed the cooling breeze that finally got up! It was a lovely service and Mark and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Congratulations to both Hannah and Andrew and thank you for sharing your special day with us both.

Deer Watch

Finally I was in the right place at the right time with the camera and the back door open to get a picture of our deer coming through the garden. After munching on the low hanging willow branches the deer moved to the gap in the hedge, looked me straight in the eye, thought, "I know you probably haven't got your act together to get a photo", and sauntered out of the garden. Next challenge is to get some video and upload!

Long Greek Lunches

One of the best things about Athens apart from the sunshine, the view of the Acropolis, the hotel, the museums was eating a long leisurely lunch at about three, four o'clock in the afternoon! Health warning though don't expect to be able to eat anything else in the following twenty-four hours!

While eating what came to be known as "rip-off moussaka", in the hotel restaurant on the first night we spotted some people eating on the pavement just outside the hotel. We found a square of restaurants and much better value food cooked with a little more flair. This taverna/restaurant became our favourite, well we ate there twice. The photos show our last lunch, warm aubergine salad and pitta bread, grilled mushrooms, Greek salad and a mixed kebab for two that would have fed four. Not much was left after a couple of hours but we couldn't move for the rest of the day!