Saturday

And here I am, comfortably cared for at Mum and Dad's for a few days while S and M look after my house back at home.  I had a lovely drive over yesterday morning: it's a country run and it's such a lovely time of year to be driving country roads.  Already the berries are starting to glow red and apples are dropping from the wild apple trees along the route.  It was very tempting to stop and pick some up but I do have quite a lot to deal with at home still so I exercised much self control and drove on.  However, I think I will be driving out to some local country lanes to pick blackberries soon.  And I must splash out and buy some plums too.  Apple and plum jam is dee-licious!

So I am here for a few days of chat, family affection, catching up on all the latest news and generally chilling.  Very nice too, especially as I shall be back in school on Monday.

I was very interested and rather relieved to discover that Dad's tomatoes (the same as the ones he gave me) also have blossom end rot. When he heard I'd had the same problem he reckoned it must be a specific vulnerability, either of that type or of that batch of seed.  You see, Dad had been gardening almost since he learnt to walk.  He's very experienced and very knowledgeable.  That makes me feel a bit better about tomatoes.

It's very peaceful here.  My parents live down what was a country lane that doesn't actually go anywhere so the traffic is minimal and it is nowhere near a busy road.  Plenty of birds visit as does the occasional black squirrel from the common a short distance away.  I feel rested just thinking about it.

So on that note - have a lovely day, whatever you are doing.