So much has happened in seven years. Today would have been dad’s birthday but he died just after mum and his 65th wedding anniversary in July 2014 and just a few months after his second great grandchild was born

In seven years we have been blessed with two further grandchildren but also lost both of Jeremy’s parents. We have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries at The Gables and hosted many old friends and family and new friends and friends of friends and friends of our children. Our social life has come to us in rural Bedfordshire and we are grateful for all the visits and the interesting and stimulating company. During lockdowns we have had plenty of time to tend the garden, learn to make cheese from the daily goat milk and I, at least, have had time to take walks and read and catch up with films and documentaries and zoom lectures. Lockdown has allowed Jeremy to work from home, attend court at the dining room table but also seen a need for more talking on the telephone. I talk to the animals but also manage to meet for walks with local friends. Most of us want some human contact and whilst the cats are good listeners they are not very good at conversation! I am beginning to sound sentimental so I will just say that I feel blessed to have lived at The Gables for seven years and look forward to sharing this place with one and all when circumstances allow.

Back to baking. The experimental cake I baked yesterday was too delicious and we nearly finished it so I had to bake another this morning