Friday....the last day of summer?

Well, it's the master of the house here this evening...kicking the blog back to reality. It's been a good day all round I think...and all in all we've achieved plenty today...although quite of a lot of our various efforts have been concerned with getting things done before the weather breaks tonight.

Jill made a BIG mistake this evening. We were en famille around the supper table...somehow we got around to discussing the odds that are being offered on the General Election (see the JEP website) by the St Peter's bookmaker, and who was favorite and, far more importantly, who wasn't.....and then Jill decided to ask a question...."could someone explain odds to me?"...oh dear....had she forgotten that we had a Queens' medalist sat at the other end of the table...and suddenly we were into some major scientific Cambridge Graduate theorem as to how odds are calculated, and as we all know, Tom still (even after 27 years) can't understand why everyone isn't as clever as him!! Anyway..... the important thing was that we all looked interested, and asked seemingly intelligent questions....

During the day a few other things happened....Jack and I took La Duchesse from St. Catherine's "to town" for her winter rest...Jack got "Skippy" out of the water this afternoon.....and in between all the boating, the four "men of the household" all spent quite a bit of time down in the meadow clearing up and lighting bonfires. By this evening we had burned everything we wanted to... things look very much tidier down there now, and if we don't get to return because the weather has "turned" then we're okay until next spring.

I think we should expect that today has been the last real day of summer (sorry if our reader is upset) ....but let's not complain...it's been a belter over the last month or so.....and Jill has been able to make the most of it. Swimming twice today (I think) as well as the usual dog walking, interspersed with visits to friends and "chats" galore. Bex was back to town this morning....and another good day for her apparently...I'm so pleased that she's enjoying her first real experience of a "proper job"....let's hope she can stay longer than the scheduled 5 weeks.

I know that Tom "toots" Luce has said a few words about last night's graduation, but I want to add a few of my own. What a great evening we had.....the boys responded to the "three line whip" and all turned up (even if Tom pushed things to the limit of lateness)...Bex was great...and Jilly and I were two very proud parents....that makes 4 different graduation ceremonies we've attended, and last night was no less of a happy time for the two of us than any of the other three. It did occur to me when I got home that I (we) have finally got to the end of emptying our bank balance into educational establishments...and after 16 years (20 if you count primary school) of GCSE's, "A" levels and degree courses we are all now "grown up"....and 'working" ..as the saying goes, what a relief for everyone.

I know that Jilly wants to add some pictures (probably of the dog) and post a few words of her own....so I'll stop now and hand over. ...while I have been writing this blog the kitchen has been invaded by another 2 of our adopted children....they have just turned up started making pizzas and puddings..and we're now having a "discussion' about the iPhone6...and the Bond girls on the TV. Anyway, here's Jill.....

The 'shortest' son at 6ft 3'' trying desperately to push his brother down whilst standing on tip toe....

For all those folk that aren't on FB and haven't seen the photos!
We didn't mention the lovely family who sat directly behind us in the Concert Hall and let out a collective 'groan' when the boys walked in and sat down.... their previous uninhibited view totally obscured....we did apologise!!

One cliff path walk
Two swims in the sea
Three ladies chatting
Many cups of tea!