Still busy

Still busy.   But then we are always busy.   Nothing changes.  But jobs need to be done, in order to travel again.   The dust does not have time to settle under our feet, before we move off again.   Actually it does settle, in large amounts, due to the dust coming in through the open windows, from the gravel road in front of the house.  The joys of living in a semi rural area.

During the past week, I have painted lots of small parts of woodwork, that look decidedly tatty, after a major painting session in a house.  This appears to be a never ending job in this house.    

The windows have been cleaned, inside and outside.   We have just told the window cleaning company that we no longer need their services, after using them for twenty years.  The business was sold to a group of men, who appeared now and again, and did such a woeful job.   Not worth the money we paid them.  Well it was not a great amount of money really, but all they did was move the dirt around the window. I could regret this decision of course.  There was certainly a novelty appeal in washing the windows last week.   It may not last.

The cupboard under the front stairs has been seriously cleaned out of dirt and spiders, even the curtains in the side cupboard have been washed.   Wow.

The plum jam has been made.   We have two Victoria plum trees, which have been infested with pink worms. They find their way into the plums before they ripen.   Plum worms.    They live, very cosily, in the plums, eating the flesh, and leaving their poo, until the plum goes rotten, and then shrivels up.  Then the worms become moths.  Last year we could not eat any of the plums, as the infestation was so bad.   This year I rescued a small portion of the plums, cut out the worms and their poo, washed the remaining flesh thoroughly and Walter made jam.   Four jars only.   After looking for information on the internet, it would appear that 2013 and 2014 have been especially bad years for worm infestation.   I have a few tricks up my sleeve for next year, but no spraying with insecticide.  This is an organic garden.

I also sold Walter's amplifier and speakers on Ebay.  So easy.  They were auctioned, and very exciting it was too, hearing the cash register ring on my tablet, and checking the bids.     Immediately the auction finished, I was informed, and the successful buyer paid his money, and then collected the amplifier and speakers that evening.   Walter was pleased to see that it had gone to someone who was going to use it, as this was a very reluctant parting with the sound system.  But there was no place for five speakers in our new lounge room makeover.    We now have a discreet sound bar.   

At the weekend the grandchildren came to stay, Lucy, Jackson and Isabel.   Plus Jeff the lizard too.  He is very large now, and eats gigantic locusts.   Not for the fainthearted, the dispensing of these locusts into his cage.   He also eats lots of lettuce too.   The lizard equivalent of rare steak and salad.

Jeff particularly enjoyed climbing up our vertical blinds. 

Lucy, Jackson and Isabel spent most of their time making items with their loom bands.   Like all children, they love them.   Amazing products came out of their activities, but no clothes.   There are plenty of small rubber bands around the house now.  Amazing craze.

We travelled into Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park, for a picnic lunch, plus an opportunity for the children to get wet in the fountain there.   It was very hot so we ventured across the road to the Westfield Shopping Centre, to find it was absolutely packed with people.   The airconditioning could not cope with the crowds, so no respite there.

Lucy and Jackson paused for a photograph in the hot sun.   It would appear that there will be an office building on one side of the walkway.  So many changes in the few months since the park opened for the public to use.

The Aquatic Centre, and the line up of three hot children.   A very impressive swimming pool, and very tempting to see whether it was open.   But reason got in the way, and we decided to travel home again, for a meal of sausages from the local butcher, and vegetables.   It was lovely having the grandchildren for the weekend, and Jeff too, and we were sad to see them go home again.

Today, a few of us gathered together for a reunion.    We have all worked together, in days gone by.  Lots of memories and laughs, looking at photographs and talking.    It was lovely to see everyone again, and the time passed too quickly.

Margaret and Jane, our very talented musical and acting duo.

A view from the opposite end of the table.   A really great group of people.  

Tomorrow we are off to the south of France.   Again.   Once we pack everything into the car, our clothes plus electric coolbox, picnic set, all the spices from the cupboard, cookbook and dried food.   Plus the new electric table top cooker and the new waste water container, which is flat and on wheels, and will slide under the caravan easily.   Not like the last one.  I had to get down on my hands and knees to retrieve it from under the caravan, and it usually resulted in me spilling some of the dirty liquid on the way out..

And not to forget our huge caravan cover, which should extend the life of the caravan, we hope, as it will no longer be exposed to the strong sunshine, winds and torrential rain.   And no more worrying about water getting into the caravan through the top vents.  First we need to fit the cover on the caravan.   Should be an interesting activity in marital harmony.   Similar to putting up the awning.