Sunday 25th January

Started off taking Jess for a long walk this morning, over field and down dale...whilst very carefully carrying a friends birthday present. I managed to deliver it safely to her house, without dropping it in any dog/cow poo on route, a feat I am most proud of, although Jess was not very happy.A lot of 'her' fields which she has been able to bound about in quite joyously for the last nine months are mostly covered in plastic, and the ones that aren't have either cows grazing or daffodils growing, neither of which she needs to be anywhere near... consequently a walk 'off lead' on the lanes around home can be quite stressful!

A rapid second breakfast consumed (peanut butter and mashed banana on toast) , an energy boost I needed for an energetic aerobics class......and then I was very pleased to go off and play another three sets of tennis with friends.  How great is that?!!!

Arrived home to find eight young people in the house, (admittedly four of them were mine!) , bacon sandwiches were being consumed and luckily I had left over muffin cakes that Bex had brought back to offer!

Showered and refueled I joined the rest of the family outside, but whilst they were 'clearing' and playing with toys... I decided to empty my compost bins and mulch... (sister/aunt take note!) I have to say I was not impressed with my composting skills... less of nice crumbly peat like compost more twiggy/grass/eggshell/clumps of newspaper mess!! Hmmm, note to oneself ...break up stuff into smaller pieces and STIR the compost. I think I'll see what my friend Monty says about it all !!

In between all this I had to stop and race indoors to baste the herby roast potatoes and get the fish/veg ready for supper, never a dull moment. You'll be pleased to know, I didn't get compost and food muddled and HANDS WERE WASHED, just in case you were wondering...

Jess helping to find sticks for the bonfire...

 MEN AT WORK!!!

 Team work no less..... anyone want any bricks? we have loads!!