Tea times

The glorious days during the week made it difficult to resist the cycle/walk to 'work' and then the walk/cycle return in the afternoons especially as we had experienced such high temperatures and hot, northerly winds the previous week (36.3°C, an October record second only to 36.6°C in 1914). The temperatures steadily decreased and continued to drop over the weekend. We spent two nights at out cottage and slept under layers of quilts with hot water bottles, our fire ablaze and were greeted by a heavy frost this morning with snow on the mountains opposite. So strange! It is difficult to adjust to such swings and consequently many are succumbing to various ailments.

Even with the chilly weather the countryside is stunningly beautiful and it was so enjoyable to spend the weekend relaxing. We walked to our friends, the W's, with a basket of food and drink to share a lovely meal with them ... I wonder if we will we still be doing this in our dotage? I hope so.

With our children growing older, a family meal is less common but on Thursday we all gathered together, with some comings and goings, but it was good to have everyone there. My darling provided some beautiful roses (one is pictured above) from our blossoming garden as a table decoration - dear daughter is also blooming with the growing babe inside her. She is keeping well. Her prince has recovered after a back problem and our boys are busy preparing for their university exams. The charming one is to be confirmed next Sunday evening, so that will be a special occasion.

"God's in His heaven - All's right with the world".