29-Jul to 04-Aug 2012

Sun 29-Jul: The kitchen saga goes on... and on... and on. At least today was the last session of painting, touching up after the tiling. And now we've found and ordered the perfect fridge freezer and washine machine, it's out with the old before the man comes tomorrow to prepare the floor for fitting vinyl on Tuesday. Unfortunately the place now looks further away from being finished than it ever was!

Mon 30-Jul: Poor Samson, he must have had a heck of a fright when the chicken stealers came in the night and killed two of my chickens just over a week ago. Having originally been given to me in a bit of a state, he blossomed in an environment of plentiful food and (after he'd proved his worth) acceptance from my four hens, and in the process grew a beautiful feathered tail. Now he's only got three feathers left, the rest pulled out either when he was defending his girls or escaping from the thieves. At least he's back to his old self, skipping (literally) up and down the plot and trusting us again.

Tue 31-Jul: Will she or won't she manage it? Here's Becky launching herself at a huge chocolate gateau, without any of the usual help from Izzy, at Linda's birthday family evening meal at The Marsh Harrier. Result... Barry had a go as well and also failed to finish.

Wed 01-Aug: Here's the exhibit that created most interest from Connor and Paige during our visit to Cambridge University's Museum of Archeology & Anthropology... the skeleton of a woman from Roman Britain who shared her coffin with the skeletons of a mouse and shrew, one of which had nibbled at her leg. The other big attraction was a meal at Subway as soon as we got off the bus!

Thu 02-Aug: Here's the first batch of plums from a tree that's almost bursting with fruit, so hundreds more to come. Where did I put that plum jam recipe? And the golden plum and greengage trees aren't quite ripe yet, so lots more to come... the fridge freezer should be arriving just in time.

Fri 03-Aug: During a morning stuck in waiting for John Lewis to deliver our new washing machine, I worked on the photos mum let me copy when I was in Scone a week or so ago. This one is of me with my grandfather, John Sylvester McKinnie... the person I'm named after and who's background got me interested in researching my dad's family history. If he were still here I'd have so many things to ask him about his life.

Sat 04-Aug: Popped down to Hyperion for their fortnightly auction this morning, aiming to bid for an interesting French Peugot bike with bent crossbar, wrap around handlebars and front pannier for use as a backup. It's shown above as the one on the end of the large pile of bikes available. Aimed to spend no more than £20 and was in the running for a short spell, but another bidder clearly was happy to spend more and I dipped out when he bid £28. Sure it's worth considerably more.