HOME AGAIN

Just over 3 months ago Charlie set off for his gap year travels.....Australia,NZ, then Thailand, Laos,Cambodia.

Yesterday he returned, arriving at 6.30 am at Heathrow. That meant that we had to get up at 5.30 to get there in time to meet him. Joseph and Sam made the huge sacrifice and got up too.

We made it in time.. here they are in arrivals.....

It was great to see him but I was rather shocked by the beard....

As soon as he got home he started eating

and hasn't stopped since.

I'd forgotten all his little traits, the 2 wet towels on the floor after the shower, the mess in the kitchen, the empty juice cartons left in the fridge, drinking straight from the juice carton. There are many others but not really for a public airing.

I had become quite accustomed to the new look Charlie and then he came home after a trip to the barbers looking like this,

Anyhow, all in all I am very happy to have in back.....

And then to top all the joy, look at the weather .....

ITS BEEN A WHILE

A few days past and no time, or maybe inclination ,to write anything...but have some time tonight. Tea cooked ... bangers and mash, onion gravy...YUMMMMM, Ian out, kids all sorted  so no excuse.

PIANO LESSON

I would just like to say now that I LOVE my piano teacher and my piano lessons!!! have just restarted again after several attempts and a few restarts since grade 2ish as a child. I have made real progress this time and am now playing the music that I really love without fretting over finger positions and theory. Have managed  a simple version of "the Piano" theme tune and now having a go at Amelie and also Ludivicio Einuadi, so its good to be able to sit down and have a reasonable go at some lovely toons. Have got Einuadi playing in my ears as I write this, it is such beautiful music and I imagine myself sitting there and being able to play...(no chance)

FAMILY

AM struggling with middle boy (18yrs) just left school. We have always had a turbulent relationship and I know that I am nagging him BIG time right now and I should back off ...but I can't ...How do you do that?? Its driving him and me crazy. I had a bit of a moment in the car today as I was just about to drive off from home and saw someone looking in at my house and I suddenly thought how lucky I am and all the MANY blessings I have and that i am REALLY going to try with Charlie and give him some space. He is taking a gap year to do some travelling and I am fretting about him making enough money to do it ... so I nag!!!

The house is unusually quiet right now as big 3 are working at Wimbledon tennis and Becca's boyfriend is away so we are down on numbers. It was just Joseph and me tonight for supper. Very unusual, we had an interesting chat about prehistoric man and how they lived and what they would eat before they mastered fire and could cook. We both thought hat given the chance to travel back in time to one period that we would go to the Tudors, but the we thought we might bring the Plague back with us, so not so good!

BOOKS and READING

HAve just picked up a lovely book called " the unlikely pilgrimage of Harold Fry". Just a couple of Chapters in but can already see that its going to be a good one.Certainly better than my last one.."FIFTY SHADES" which is utter rubbish but quite saucy none the less and served a purpose...
Book club tomorrow were we will discuss"Dinner at the homesick cafe". not bad really

KNITTING

The patchwork blanket is getting closer to an end.....YIPPEEE. I think I have about 14 more little squares to do and then the mammoth job of putting it all together. Hope it looks good as has taken up a HUGE amount of time


MUESLI

Though I say it myself I do make the most delicious muesli/granola......
here is its progress

Just before it goes in the oven

just out of the oven and waiting to cool before I add the best bit.... all the dried fruit. Should be ok for breakfast tomorrow