But in between the rational chit chat there were some rather sensational fantasies that mum related to me. I’m afraid I can’t share them but she has a very active imagination!

And a beautiful night sky

As another batch of strawberry jam bubbles away on the stove

The two oldest goslings stick together and the five babies follow their slightly older and much bigger sibling

We hadn’t seen my nephew since before lockdown nor had we met his lovely Aussie girlfriend. She was a hit with everyone.

Just three weeks after celebrating mum and dad’s 65th wedding anniversary, with a party at The Gables, dad made a swift and dignified exit from a life that he had lived to the full.

Dad appreciated where he came from, the woman he married, the life they made together and the children, grandchildren and great grandchildren that they raised – yes they even used to babysit for their oldest great grandchild. Dad taught us how to live life to the full. Thank you dad.

I chopped down the chard because it was going to seed. It will come back stronger. I love the vibrant colours of the stalks (the other name for the plant is rainbow chard) and the chooks like them too.

Outside in the paddock, yesterday in the late afternoon, the kids were having great fun on the climbing frame