Good news, bad news and no news at all

Sempervivum flowers in bloom.
They remind me a bit of aliens,
reaching out to the Mother ship.
 July 2012, Lesley Beeton

There's quite a bit of news (and some interesting photo's), so I'll start with the 'no news'. The histology results have not yet been received. I am trying not to think about it, just getting on with enjoying the gorgeous weather. That's good news, by the way. 


Themba is less keen on the warm weather (bad news). His heart problem seems worse when it's hot, so today as well as ice cubes, I have set up the fan to keep the Boxers cool. It seems to be working. They are nice and calm. We will do our evening walk later,  when it's much cooler. We have had to modify our walks because of Brin's foot; we were advised to keep him out of muddy bridleways and stick to the pavement. It's not ideal but we did find that the path which runs alongside the Footballer's house is nice and cool.

Stink bug on greengage tree.
Last year the wasps were all over the ripe fruit.
 July 2012, Lesley Beeton

More good news is that with the weather fab this week the garden is at last bursting into colour, and the veggies are storming ahead. 

Squirrels have been retrieving their nuts from the lawn.
Hope they stop stealing the greengages off the tree!
July 2012, Lesley Beeton

Chicken palace under construction.
Chooks soon to arrive chez Beeton.
July 2012, Lesley Beeton

Some bad news is that the Molly Maid cleaners have decided they can't clean my house any more. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. This is part of the email I received. No phone call, just an email.

'... I don't feel comfortable with the girls I've got coming to clean for you I'm sorry to say that we won't be able to continue your service. ..... I need to train new staff to the standard that I expect and re-train the girls I have... '

Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
At least the rain is over.
July 2012, Lesley Beeton

To end with more good news, I had great service from LJP Appliances, Absolute Security and the farmers at Garlic Wood Farm produce great conservation beef, some of which is now in my freezer.

Muddy Sunday, Monday, Tuesday....

When will it end? Not the World, just the weather! I have been rather stoic until today. Today is the first day of our holiday at home, and it's jolly cold and wet. We aren't going away. For one thing, we've had two weeks in Hawaii and ten days in South Africa already. And for another, I'm afraid to leave Themba at the kennel, in case the worst happens while we are away. Anyway, our PA is back from her holiday in the sun and I have Dr B to myself for a whole week. I remember just a couple of weeks ago, we were blaming the other half of another blogger for the wet weather (in jest of course). 

Jill at Christmas Pie Crafts was convinced it was his fault as he had taken a week off work. Well, this week we can blame Dr B. Who, by the way, thinks it's fun to watch the (boring) Tour de France on telly, even though we don't have a clue what's going on. He is also selectively deaf, and when I told him that the beetroots were doing well, he replied 'Figs? We've never had figs'!

Yesterday was the annual Cranleigh 10km run, normally a pleasant morning, but not yesterday. The runners were sent off with a warning - no mad dashes, the mud is treacherous. I wouldn't know about that, just that I threw his socks away.

Themba had his follow-up heart scan today. I found it all a bit much and was close to tears as he lay on the exam table. Dr B and the Vet, heads together, muttering over measurements. The conclusion? No change. His condition is severe, prepare for the worst. Pay another £100. At least we're agreed he won't have any more scans, just lots of love and attention.

I've been lucky with the weather

Gasp! Yes, I have. The showery weather this week has kept me indoors, with my bee-sting infected leg elevated, guzzling antibiotics, and watching the tennis at Wimbledon. Never before have I been able to do this. I think I planned it rather well; except for the pain, the side-effects of the antibiotics and the tutting of the doctors 'this could develop into necrotising fasciitis'. Scary stuff.

Today it looks like I've been hit by a tennis ball, perhaps one of those 130mph serves from a large Croat. Never mind, I am at last on the mend. And so I treated myself to a walk round the garden. The Boxers were rather bemused that I am up on my hind legs, heading outdoors and not just to the fridge. I've hardly moved all week but I've eaten everything I can find. I even had Waitrose deliver this morning so I could plan my lunch and afternoon tea! Better not get used to this or I will be as large as a house. All things being well, I will be at aqua class tomorrow and I will walk the Boxers. 

They have of course still had an evening walk. Mr B has been very good at that. Not so good at the emotional stuff (or cooking or tidying the kitchen), but we are managing. Especially as our capable PA is on holiday and has left me dealing with Mr B's office. Thank goodness I can do that from the sofa - game, set and match!


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