Goodness, I missed lots of posts while I was typing that screed so now I have even more to catch up on. 
How to celebrate looking after a grandchild
What made you fall in love with comedy?
What made you fall in love with your OH?
Here we are again...happy as can be...all good friends and jolly good company...
WELCOME to our newest kitchen.

Goodness, I missed lots of posts while I was typing that screed so now I have even more to catch up on. 
There is a lull at our house at the moment, a definite and very pleasant lull after a hectic couple of weeks.
For those who don't know, we got outline planning permission about this time last year to knock down and replace an old building next to our cottage which we had partly restored. If things went smoothly it would have been finished by February this year. 
Things didn't go smoothly of course but it all was definitely going to be finished by the end of May.

DH was convinced it would go ahead smoothly especially as by this time we had received permission from the ecological reserve that covers the area we live in.
DD1 booked flights for herself and SiL for the last two weeks in June. Later DGCs and partners booked theirs as well. For just over a week we would all be on holiday together with plenty of space for all. 
As various permissions were sought and granted, various deadlines passed and we reluctantly told the builder to postpone the start until the beginning of July. (I'm sure those of you who have ever had building done abroad are laughing hysterically smiling sympathetically by now.)
DH and I seemed to spend most of the winter with various ailments and have only recently felt like moving all the furniture and belongings we had squeezed into our two bedroom cottage back again, to make room for visitors and give us our old en-suite back.
DD and SiL arrived on Thursday, DGD and her boyfriend arrived on Friday, on Saturday morning six of SiL's family arrived and spent the day with us as they couldn't get into their holiday villa until after 2pm. They obviously enjoyed themselves as they didn't want to go home and find their new accomadation. Well, those who were exploring Portuguese beer didn't. 
Eventually SiL's sister took three generations of her family off to get some provisions and find the house, all planning to come back later for pizza and to collect her husband.
About 7pm she text that they were settled there, so DD and I collected a large stack of pizzas for as all and I permitted myself a large G&T.
Late evening and she was off again to deliver her brother in law and collect DGS and his partner from the airport.
This morning was chaotic but fun and at the moment they are mostly relaxing around the pool.
This evening we have booked two tables at a restaurant between the two houses and no doubt will find the energy to start enjoying ourselves all over again.
I have been trying to pop into the kitchen to have a quick lie down keep up with all your news and hope to catch up with you all tomorrow. 
The building work is supposed to start three days after they all go home. If it does (unlikely) I expect the builders will come for the day and then go and finish whatever they are doing at the moment. It seems to be an international characteristic.
Yessssssssss!!
(Although actually I missed the final point as I was tending the sick upstairs
)
Whew! Bit of a sticky moment in that first set!
Enjoy having the company of your family, Crafting
What a match! I'm hoarse and there is still the third set to watch through barred fingers
Tennis has started and I am glad to see them both "properly" dressed in their tennis whites. (I found Roland Garros terribly scruffy)
Full house at Queen's. I don't expect anybody will be nodding off today.
soop my allocated car park space is opposite my house but some people still think that it is a free for all. We also have 4 visitor car park spaces but people from the next road have taken them over as though they live here and own them.
The clematis is beautiful- your friend must work very hard to achieve such a lovely garden.
I do hope that Andy wins today, he does deserve it.
lona your flat sounds ideally situated and having a balcony overlooked ng the garden is perfect. All the pleasure but none of the responsibility!
I hope the move goes smoothly and that you will be very happy there.
Having a quiet day as DH has been in bed since Friday afternoon after Pippa left. No connection, really!
So I am going to,let him sleep and settle down in front of the tennis. Come on Tim Andy!! I have nothing personal against Raonic, but find him a bit boring .
Can't stop long as life still vey hectic so just popped in quickly to read up latest kitchener news. Lona your new home looks lovely. What a pretty outlook. No wonder you can't wait to move in.
((Huggs)) to all down in the dumps. Family coming in a minute. Must dash. Hope you all have a good weekend.
The clematis has climbed almost to the top of an ancient tree.
Here are a few images of our friend's beautiful garden.
NanaandGrampy You have a talent. The card looks professional. Well done. Lucky Sam the woofter.
The rose is lovely, bags it's a great pity that you cannot enjoy the perfume.
Charleyg Isn't it a bonus to have a personal parking space? I lived in Dartmouth at one time. Parking was a nightmare. I did a great deal of walking from my car parked on the outskirts of the town to my flat in a side street in the heart of Dartmouth. I was very much fitter in those days.
I have managed to lose at least twenty five minutes worth of responses.
Am I miffed? Just a little. Anyway, nothing for it other than to start afresh.
Alea Our kitchen is safe from sarcastic and spiteful folk. 
Lona Your flat looks delightful. Perfect in every way. If I were in your shoes, I would be over the moon. I love the balcony with a view of the beautifully maintained garden.
It's right in the centre, two minutes from the shops and yes I can sit out in the garden, but I think the balcony will be favourite. The sun is on that side all morning, perfect for coffee, so feel free to drop in!
I'm so excited! I met the landlord too and he is really nice.
Charley I fear you are right about Sam !!
Lona that looks lovely. A nice balcony so you can sit out with your first coffee of the day ( weather permitting) and a lovely green outlook.
Very, very nice. We will allow a couple of weeks to settle in and then we may all descend on you! Coffee for me please! Do you have access to the garden? It also does not appear that you are overlooked. A very good choice. I do hope that you are close to shops, GP, dentist and the local hospital is not too far away.
I have seen photos of Sam and he looks as though he may have you lot wrapped around his paws. He is gorgeous. I am so sorry I cannot have a dog but Tara more than makes up for it.
Yellow van man has just driven away. I would not buy or rent a property without parking facilities- I would hate to return home each day wondering where I could possibly park- especially as I need half a street! Luckily each house here has an allocated car park space.
ann the washing machine is on again- probably 3 washes today. There are times when I think that I should have bought an industrial type machine.
oh that's such a shame bags I was given a rose on holiday that was not only lovely to look at but smelt beautiful. Some seem to be pretty but unscented.
Charley just a little bit of fun with Sam, I like a bit of crafting but there's only so much you can give away so was practising a technique - hence Sam got a card . We wouldn't buy him one
And as I'd done that it seemed a shame not to give him a present too ! Our grandkids treat him like another toddler so it seemed only fair 
Sorry to hear Yellow Van Man is back. Parking is such an issue these days , there is never enough but as you rightly say - that's his problem !!
n&g- I have read everything now- a birthday card for a dog? Even a present is OTT and as you know I love animals.
The sun is peeping through again- a huge yellow van has kindly parked in front of my neighbour's house- he must love that because it blocks out all light. I thought that I had got rid of yellow van man a few weeks ago with a few choice words but obviously not. His excuse then was that he lived a few streets away and had nowhere to park- not my problem.
If it is I can't smell the scent, n&g.
That's beautiful bags is it scented?
Albert and the Lion was one of my Grandpa's monologues - creating our own home entertainment in wartime.
Good Morning all !
The sun has got his hat on here ...but I fear it might be fleeting !
I am off to google Albert and the Lion - sounds right up my street
Sam is 3 today and he will be having a special lunch and has already ripped to shreds unwrapped his new toy! He even got a birthday card ( I plainly have too much time on my hands.
I have discovered procrastination and am doing it like crazy for all the things I don't fancy doing 
Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads/Grandads and of course one super special Grampy !!
Have a wonderful day x
Albert and The Lion. I can still quote most of it and just love the last line about raising children for the purpose of feeding the zoo population.
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