31st July
Violet- Elizabeth returned from her first scout camp full of enthusiasm, and with a huge bag of filthy dirty washing! Apparently they had all had a great time, taking part in such activities as archery, rifle shooting, swimming, orienteering, crate stacking (this is where you are harnessed up and have to build a tall tower of plastic crates whilst attempting to stand on the top), quad biking etc. The wet weather didn’t seem to dampen spirits, and all credit must go to all the Scout leaders who give up their time to take the children on these wonderful holidays.
1st August
Today we are celebrating Spencer’s brother’s 60th birthday. We went down to Bristol to join up with the West Country branch of the Halt family at their house near Nailsea. After lunch at a local hostelry, we all went back for afternoon tea at Ashton Court (where the balloon festival takes place). We played a game of family rounders and yours truly even managed to hit the ball and get all the way round!
All was well until our return journey home back along the M4. Just East of Swindon, there was a sickening noise under the 4X4 and when Spencer pulled into the services at Membury, it was clear to him that the rear shock absorber had failed. We limped home to the Manor, worrying about whether we could get it fixed in time for our Scottish holiday next week.
2nd August
Nothing much to report about Pablo this week except that Marcus caught him on the doorstep of a house at the end of the road whilst he (Marcus that is) was delivering this month’s Basingas. I suspect that Pablo is trying to beg food from other houses by putting on a “sob story”. Spencer tells me that you can buy a collar that says “please don’t feed me” on it, so I think I will be getting one.
5th August
I have been out in the Manor Gardens nearly every evening instructing Spencer about the feeding and watering requirements of my flowers in preparation for the Village Show. There are a number of classes that you can enter, but your plants should be well on the way now to have any chance of winning. This year I have cultivated Marigolds, Penstemon, Sunflowers, and Asters, and apart from the Penstemon they are all doing quite well. There is also a class for a vase of flowers grown from seed, so I might enter this as well as I also have sweet peas, nicotiana, stocks and poppies. It all depends if they are still out by September.