Grandson started secondary school today and he is excited and nervous in equal measure. I smiled when I saw a photo of him in uniform and then I felt sad to think of the children wearing masks as they walk around the school corridors. It’s all a long way from life at The Gables where the cats rule the roost, so to speak.

Where the pots of flowers in the courtyard continue to bloom

And there is an endless stream of squirrels running along the fence to collect walnuts for their winter store cupboard. Help yourselves.

I thought I had left these behind in London. I had hoped that a distance of 50 miles was enough to keep them away but…… as I was putting onions into storage nets I heard a familiar screech

Just as the vet left (and I was preparing to go to Tai Chi at the Riverside Park) two dudes turned up on bikes – completely unexpected- friends from London.

We left them at the house while I went to class and Jeremy went to see his Bee keeping teacher to buy ten jars of honey. When Jeremy returned not only were the bike riders here but out expected tea time guests were already looking at the garden and animals.

There was just time for a quick cuppa and a piece of Zwetschgenkuchen and they were back in their car as the teenagers had to get home

I forgot that the vet was visiting today. Luckily they phoned in advance of his arrival