15-Jul to 21-Jul 2012

Sun 15-Jul: Has to rate one of the best lasagnes I've ever had, accompanied by some delicious salad. This was lunch served at Chilford Hall, south of Cambridge, where Barry, Chris and I joined a tour of the vineyards, winetasting and then lunch as our joint Fathers' Day present from Becky and Beth. Great few hours all too quickly over.

Mon 16-Jul: On the way to our standard Monday morning coffee and cake at The Dolphin after a wander round the market, here's another sign of the strange weather... the water meadow flooded in summer. Several cars stranded in The Dolphin car park as well as a few boats stranded above the bridge, the water being so high they can't get under and back down the river!

Tue 17-Jul: Tomatoes are sadly off the allotment menu for this season... tomato blight go the lot so all pulled up today ready for burning. Also dug the potatoes up to save what little hadn't rotted or got holes in... and of the few that were OK those that avoided being speared by my fork! Onions and garlic taken up today as well since at risk of rotting in the soaking ground. Going to be a poor season this year!

Wed 18-Jul: Been a while since me and the grandsons played squash... here they are hard at it. Becky had warned me Sammy was in a foul mood 'cause she wouldn't allow him outside while it was raining, Connor had obviously been applying several layers of under arm deoderant, and neither had any money with them in spite of high expectations for the vending machine (Sammy had spent all his, Connor is saving his money!). After the usual round of non-squash games and a tussle on the floor I let them beat me, the proceedings slightly delayed by Sammy storming off 'cause I wouldn't play a point again. More delays at the vending machine since Sammy wanted chocolate and a drink... he got chocolate. I think they enjoyed themselves

Thu 19-Jul: Arrived in Perth bang on time, greeted in the evening by something that's always a bit special... evening dinner around Head Chef Robert's & Amanda's. Aberdeen Angus steak, medium rare, followed up by banoffee pie, strawberries, raspberries and ice cream. Red wine and scrumpy cider as well. Rounded off the evening by winning the Tiger Woods golf competition. Also shown are Robert's £200 wine and £90 whisky he teased me with. PS: The lasagne entry on Monday has been suitably and correctly amended!

Fri 20-Jul: After a trip up to Pitlochry with Bob and Amanda to see dad's grave, here's the line up for Friday evening's pool and darts competition at Scone Bowling Club. Won't mention the result, since unsurpringly not in my favour!

Sat 21-Jul: Here's Jimmy Sommerville performing at the Scotland Rewind 80's Festival at Scone Palace. A fantastic performance in a fantastic day that saw me managing to get transport across Scone Palace and all the tourists in the caretaker's golf cart, to find Bob had arranged a prime position to park watching the long long queues, he then limping up to the security and fixing up for us all to gain VIP entrance straight in rather than queuing for over an hour! Great event, great crowds, great performance, great day with my brothers and sister. Full blog on the event and best costumes to follow.