Dip

I can now speak with experience.

On Thursday I came home from work early to pick the boys up from school. It was absolutely scorching. We came home and did the usual mucking about, eating tea, getting into pj's and finally getting them into bed. I then went for a wander - you guessed it - straight down to the river. I sat with my feet almost dangling in, deciding that the 6 foot drop from my vantage point could not be where the boys and Jeff had gone in. Then I upped sticks and walked around to the river bend and the mass of garlic. To say I was underdressed for my lonely adventure would be an understatement. I became completely surrounded by stingers and decided there was only one way to my goal. I began to shout for Jeff!

Finally, I think he may have decided that I had fallen in and hot footed down to the river to find me standing stock still amongst my bed of nettles. Always the gentleman he made a clear path and helped me through - but only once he realised I was trying to get into the river and not just being a princess. Anyway, kit off down to brass-ear and knicks and I bravely ventured forth. Your feet sink in right to the tops of your ankles at the river bend and I did do a lot of screeching. Jeff jumped in and offered me his arm and off I eventually launched. The boys are right - as soon as you round the bend the floor becomes gravel and hard underfoot and the water is just delicious - cool and tinglely. I finally climbed up through one of the trees roots and was back on dry bank.

The rest of this weekend we have been on holiday. We did not leave the shed, but with the sun shining and the Jeff-made barbeque, if has felt as if we are in another country. My sis and her new little family came on saturday and we chilled in the garden eating, drinking and just having a wonderful relaxed time. We were all presented with Massey Ferguson caps , thoughtfully discovered by Simon - so we really look the part driving Jack now!

When they left on Saturday night the family C hit the river. All four of us - Chas in swimmies and wellies and Alf in swimmies and Crocs - jumped in to cool off the day's fun.

I lost my shoes in the mud but became a very cool mum as I went for a proper swim whilst Jeff just did a walk up and down. I have a sneaking suspicion that Jeffers did not swim just to make me look better and braver for my boys...I will take the glory anyway.

Alf has developed championship level tennis on the car parking bit of tarmac - amazingly he takes on anyone and still wins - but some of the rules remain rather difficult to follow. Old fart that I am, I have today written to Radio 4 offering Alfie and Charlie's services as guerila reporter on all things Transformer. Having seen them decide to put their 8 week old cousin through a master class in Bumblebee and Optimus Prime I have decided that they are ready for the nation! Not sure if the life on Cybertron is up to the Radio 4 standards, but you never know.

If you are of a sensitive disposition, please look away now...

One of the aspects of baking hot sunshine in our household is that Henry develops his 'summer balls' I know this is not really the kind of things that you may want to read about - but it really makes me laugh. This big white dog poddeling along everywhere with the biggest, pinkest set of you-know-whats! My mum has always said I should knit him some knickers and with the heat as high as it has been this weekend - I think she may be right.

Still no sign of the big dig...maybe monday? you never know...I may yet get to tell you about the big pile of mud if they eventually ever get here.

Happy and very red!