Just Jo!

We had a great time on Monday….despite all the fogginess and mistiness!
We were meeting up with some friends, a new historical group….

We got off the train at Calstock, had a mile and a half walk along the river and up through some woods to get to Cotehele, a Tudor house near Saltash. Obviously meaning that Olivia got to do some Tudor worksheets on the train down there.

We came in through the back door so to speak and saw Denise with her two. I think we were the only ones who got the train, everyone else drove and had a few horror stories of the evil mist to relate. Denise had just come out of the house, so us two (that would be me and Olivia, I’m not doing grammar tonight by the way….) had a very quick look round before meeting up with everyone else for some lunch….

….with some very friendly robins….

(They came so much closer than this, but I didn’t have the camera handy….just a sandwich in my hand….)
The plan was to then go back for a proper look at the house, but we walked down to the quay with Lisa and the girls….

Then met up with some of the others for a walk up to the mill.
All the kids got a quiz sheet to complete around the mill buildings, which included a forge, a wheelwright, a saddler, a cider press, waterwheel….
We also had our own personal guide explaining all the workings to us. All the bits he knew anyway.

We spent longer than I thought looking around, so by the time we got back to the house it had closed.
But I had a very pleasant surprise with the cheapness of train fares so we’ll be going back again very soon to concentrate on the house and immediate gardens.
Walking back to the station, it was still as misty as it had been all day….

We got home at gone nine o’clock so more or less went straight to bed. Left the washing out overnight again.

Yesterday we met Di at her allotment for a picnic under the apple tree, getting snowed on by blossom. A little bit of weeding and a lot of eating by Olivia. Some of the broad beans are almost ready so Olivia couldn’t resist eating them. And a few marigolds. More lamb’s lettuce. Borage flowers. Rocket. And copious amounts of nectar from unknown flowers. A fair bit of tree climbing went on as well. Yeah, she had fun!
We went back to Di’s to finish the bottletop sculpture and install it in the garden. Olivia had plentyof practise sawing bits of wood. Then setting fire to the left overs.

We met up with some other friends after leaving Di’s. Olivia got a lift home with my friend’s daughter, so we got time for a proper catch-up chat without various children lurking nearby. She’s the one who’s just split with her partner, who was quite controlling, so it was lovely to be able to chat freely for a change.
We got the bus back to her daughter’s flat and ended up not getting home ’til half past midnight.
I was desperate for a wee and Adam had put the chain on the door. I was not pleased. I think I may possibly have been quite rude to him as a result….
The washing got left out again….

We overslept this morning. There’s a surprise. Went to group. Got there late. Another surprise. Put up all my highly professional looking notices re the outdoor activities that I’ve been sorting out. The first one is archery on Monday. It’s all been very painless I’m pleased to say.
Lots more luvverly chats with people. Lou still hasn’t had her baby. I did suggest someone sneak up behind her and shout “BOO!” very loudly….

Olivia’s community garden bed got a weeding and watering. Everything is coming up nicely now, so she’s very pleased. Anderson can’t wait for the feast that will (hopefully) be provided.
Drama also resumed after the Easter break today, so we headed to the arts centre. Tavis, Di’s youngest son, turned up with a friend so I had a bit of a chat with him. Bit weird seeing him without his mum around. He’s only a year or so older than Adam, but he seems much older somehow. I suppose it’s because I still see Adam as my little baby boy…. He is sooo not an adult of 6′3″, about to leave college….

Tomorrow we’re going to an organic farm on a risk assessment fact finding mission. We’ve got an organic arts trip there soon and insurance purposes demand that someone suss out the place. So, seeing as I’m so highly qualified, I’ll be doing it. ‘Cos I’m a professional in these matters. And I take everything so seriously and am a complete grown-up in all matters concerning safety….

I don’t think we have anything planned for Friday….but Olivia does have an arts thingy on Saturday morning. So yes, the pond….when, exactly, will it be dug???
Next week? Nope, I’ve just looked at my diary….Ummm….think it might be a while….
And the washing is still out on the line….
Sod it! I’m going to bed!!