Chickens in a box

The end of such a busy week, with William, James and I ending our social marathon by hitting Fulham on Friday to see the girls and their respective offspring. Great to see the twins after such a long time, I can't believe how much they've changed. Octavia took a shine to Will and spent much of the morning passing him playballs, which Will promptly lobbed into the garden while she carried on watching him adoringly :) An ambrosial lunch washed down with pink champagne which disappeared in a couple of gulps. That's the only problem; all you want to do is kick back with your girlfriends, drink fizz and enjoy a good old gossip, but with a herd of children under your feet it is absolutely impossible. Finally got home at teatime more tired than you can possibly imagine.

A great, if very busy day starting with a polo lesson. I was hoping Eddie, James and Will would come and watch but unfortunately they got trapped in Tescos and arrived just as we finished. I was really disappointed, but it worked out in the end - Will had a sit on Ferrari and was thrilled and I have another sesh next week to look forward to. They're all going to come with me for that one. I am loving it, it's the one time I have just to be me; bombing around whacking balls about on a horse. At my age it's not often you learn something new so it's very refreshing to have this chance. Afterwards it was back home to get everything ready for The Greens who came for lunch. We had a feast, the sun shone, everybody cleaned their plates and had seconds, then the children played in the garden while we kept a watchful eye and chilled for a bit. Just a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. Poor Eddie had to have some more physio on his shoulder, but it's getting better slowly,...

Rugby round at Anne and Tim's, the East End Disco - cheese, cheese and more cheese, loved it - the grand opening of The Jolly Gardener and Will's first Pork Scratching (we were very proud). Now we're watching 'Finding Nemo', while the rain lashes it down outside in true Bank Holiday style. James is still asleep, having stayed awake until God knows when last night, totally over-excited about going out to the 'pub'. The St Martins' fete is supposed to start in a few hours...it's going to be a swamp. G.R.E.A.T.

For getting round Hungerford unscathed - including a race round Somerfield (where the tills went down and we had to abandon our shopping mid-aisle and race to the cashpoint), Jane's hat shop to get a new ribbon for my Ascot hat, Boots (where I failed miserably to work the automatic door-opening button) and Inklings, for the million and one cards we need in June. Then to top off these dazzling achievements, I surpassed myself by managing get Will, James and myself, plus the Phil & Ted into the world's smallest loo. Not only that, but proceed to remove Will's loo seat, manhandle both him and it onto the loo and off again, clean up and reverse back out again. You needed a degree to navigate the corners, and all the doors opened the wrong way. My heart sank just looking at it and knowing I had no choice but to make the attempt. The consequences of not bothering were worse...but only just. As per usual we got lots of pitying looks from the teenage staff, I felt like giving t...

Had a wonderful Sunday with Tessa and I've been so busy faffing around this week I completely forgot to write about it. The sun shone and I did my Hostess with the Mostest bit, making a smoked salmon quiche followed by mini rhubarb crumbles washed down with a cold Pinot Grigio. Dahhhling, Sweetie! The boys played in the sun like the angels they are and Tessa and I even managed to escape to the pub for a whole hour which was wonderful. I cannot remember a) the last time we saw each other without the children or b) spent any time just the two of us. Just what the doctor ordered.

After nearly 5 years of constant DIY and dust here at The Old School House, we are at last reaching the stage where we can actually relax in relative civilistion and start thinking about the fun stuff like curtains and upholstery! Living in a goldfish bowl can become even more claustrophobic when you're constantly being peered at by passers by through unadorned windows. Fortunately Auntie Madge has come to the rescue and moves are afoot to get the sitting room done first, followed by our bedroom. In anticipation, Eddie and I spent this afternoon squabbling over our pictures and what should go where, until finally we separated; Eddie to pull the dining room to pieces (oh yes, there's always another room to be done) and me to wrestle the boys into bath and bed. My job now over, I'm regrouping as per usual via Facebook and design sites. My addiction to 60 Minute Makeover is also causing Eddie serious consternation as I have suggested a 'feature wall' in the new and imp...

The sun's gone and it's raining again, but it's OK actually, the countryside is stunning; lush green and everything seems to have bloomed with the weather. Fields that were just earth and stones a month ago are now up to William's waist with new shoots. So beautiful. As for us, we're all fine if a bit dooby doo right now hence lack of blog entries. Roll on next week - the dreaded Waterbabies photoshoot and East End Disco! These are highlights in my social calendar. Says it all really.

The sun continues to shine, and everyone is loving it. At last we can get out in the garden and soak up the warmth after such a miserable Summer last year and what has felt like an endless Winter. Eddie is now off on sabatical for the next 3 months and today's his first day working with Jim as a labourer for his landscaping business. He set off this morning feeling quite nervous in his new Screwfix gear, carrying his packed lunch and sun cream - it was a bit like sending a child off for their first day at school. Here's hoping the good weather continues and we can all get brown and strong again. I am so excited for Eddie in particular, can't wait to hear how his first day has gone and look forward to being married to a hunk with a 6 pack in a few weeks time after he's dug a few holes and laid various patios.

We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.