It's that time of year again....

.......tomatoes for breakfast.

All my tomatoes are ripening at the same time. I have got several different varieties this year, thanks to Dave across the road, who found he had far more seeds germinate than he could ever cope with. He was growing some old fashioned ones that I usually avoid because I can never get them to ripen in my greenhouse. But with this sunny summer even those are ripening well. We had one sliced in a Tom and mozzarella salad yesterday, and it was delicious and filled a whole plate. Some green ones are even larger, I look forward to weighing them when I pick them, the vines are bent right over and the canes are snapping under the weight.

You know that new toy you bought me.......

.....well I buried it!!!!!

 

Paul and Ben....

......are here for the week.

One of them looks more like a crocodile every time I see them!

 

It's raining......

 

.......so instead of gardening I finished the ironing and am playing with my photos on Instagram.

Joe and dad are in bed!

Joe is limping badly, we have no idea why but he is very sorry for himself - again.

We are just keeping him quiet for the day to rest his paw.

Dad's idea of keeping quiet is to go to bed, and he didn't feel it was fair to make Joe do into his own

Soooooooo

It's getting close to doggy dinner time, no doubt that's when we find out if he is feeling any better or not.

 

Home again.....

......and putting my pics onto my (Charlotte's) laptop.

I think these are some of my favourites this summer...

We went for lunch in Cathay Rendevous in Bristol with Sara and John last Sunday.

....

     Sara bought herself some new flip-flops when she was in Birmingham the other day.
            Selina and Pete, you know Bristol....... and you know Sara.......
                            so you know just where this story is going.......



           .....of course she had to paddle in the fountains with all the other kids.....

                                 .....and onto the hose pipes of course.  
            Can't you just see which way this is going?

                  .......Who got wet?.....very wet?

         
                               JOHN!!!!!!
      Just look at the happy couple......,although maybe not in a couple of seconds.....once she manages to change that gentle little trickle into a high power pressure hose.
      Oh yeah........ and Darsh had pinched John's last pair of socks....... and has worn them all week long.....does John really know what he is letting himself in for marrying into this ridiculous family?

What on earth are you doing.....

......his puzzled expression said it all when he found me on my hands and knees taking pictures in the garden instead of making his dinner.

 

I was taking pictures for the blog so Selina and Pete could see how things are coming along...

 

It has been so hot here that even outdoor tomatoes are starting to ripen in Selina's urban garden.

I was also waiting for the first ascent of the balloon festival. Conditions were good last night, and so they came across the valley, but not directly over the house this time....

 

 

Darsh drove back last night. So we got up early this morning and went over to see the 6am ascent. It was a beautiful morning, but a little too windy for all to take off. The pictures are on my camera, I never even thought to take the IPad with me. We wandered round for few hours, Joe scoffing all the left over from yesterday food he could find in the grass, he thought it was great.....then someone fired a starting pistol....that was it. He wanted to go home, he could not stop shaking.

Now it is 10am, and both dog and husband are back in bed....snoring!

 

Planning the great escape......

I shut the big gates hoping he would stay in the front garden on his own. He hates the gravel in the back, and is nervous about going down the big steps, he always tries to run and inevitably falls down the last two.

He stood waiting for me, hoping we were going for yet another walk. Why does he so love long walks in Bristol when he refuses to go out at home?
When he realised he was out of luck he squeezed his head and shoulders under the gate and got stuck. I shouted at him and after much wriggling and struggling he managed to get back.
At least he stood there and looked guilty.....but I now he will keep going till he finds a wide enough bit to get under, so I still have to keep watch.
We are staying a few days on our own in Bristol. It is going better this time, last time we tried Joe was so sick he ended up staying overnight at the vets on a drip....TWICE.....This time the weather is much cooler and we have been out and about walking and sitting in the summer house reading. I have done a bit of gardening but I still hate this clay soil.
Next doors cats worry me a bit, they are quite elderly and I worry Joe catches one. He did so last night, but the cat wasn't the slightest bit worried, it pulled itself up to its full weight and raised one paw. Joe sort of gulped and walk backwards to wee up a gate post. Maybe he will learn his lesson......or maybe not.
We are going to walk across Victoria park now for an ice cream before the day gets too warm, then I might wash the car....or maybe not!

The highlight of dad's weekend......

Made the 70 mile drive from Bristol all worthwhile!
Selina and Pete bought the tickets for the Battle prom before they went to Honduras and didn't want them to go to waste as they were rather expensive. We knew it was all outdoors and the heavy rain on the way down made us think we were in for a thorough soaking..

There was almost 10,000 people there and it was in the grounds of a beautiful and very famous house!!!!!!!
It was a noisy, colourful and very patriotic event

Our simple little picnic was very basic compared to many. Some had flowers, cut glass, candles and champagne on their tables. Us, we had dry crackers, cheese and a bag of crisps. We were half way there before darsh realised he hd left his beautifully made sandwiches in the fridge in Bristol.
However the pretty girls restored his spirits, along with and the fireworks and canons. We got home after midnight and what did he eat for supper?
Yeah..... sandwiches, full of chilli and chopped raw onions!