4 days - can I contain myself?!

I hope you enjoy KL when you eventually get there - I just hope that your flights back to M'chester aren't delayed at all. After all this time I don't know how I would cope with that!

We are having the Sykes (how DO you do a plural for them?) and David Thorpe for lunch on Wednesday to say thank you for the DVD of Knowsley, so I have been having one of my mad cleaning sessions! Duncan has almost finished the library so we will have to start the big book sort out - long overdue mind you.

Can't wait till Friday now - look after yourself and SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!! XXXXX

10 days ...
Nice day today - it was GM's birthday and she & GPJ and Uncle David came for lunch - we had a chocolate & raspberry torte for pud which was glorious! I put 1 candle in it - couldn't manage 82!
After lunch GPJ, UD and I took Pops out.
Duncan and I have also cleared out the top shed today and thrown out all sorts of junk - the 2 old 5-man tents have gone and lots of the stuff you all used to have in them to make them into proper bedrooms! There's loads of room in there now and we put in some of the stuff we had cluttered the cottage with whilst you have been on your travels. The pickup is absolutely full, ready for a trip to the dump!
Jennie and Unc D are added to the list of people for your do - Jonathan can't make it as he's got a prior booking. Michael is in Majorca, so we'll ask him when he returns. GM & GPJ will come on later after a golden wedding celebration they are going to.
Sleepy now - I got up early to see David while he had his b'fast, so I'm off to bed - night night! xxx

11 days to go!!
It's getting closer and I'm getting more & more excited - we expect the delivery van packed with branflakes to arrive in the next couple of days!!
I'm organising you a barbie - so far it's me, Duncan, Anna, Rob, Elsie, Katie, Jez and Gems in the evening - GM & GPJ will be asked tomorrow, as will David et al, Andrew and anyone else I can think of. I'll invite Unc. Robert & Auntie J in a few days time - they are just dealing with the death of Janet's Dad, so I think it best to wait a while.
Today I popped into town to collect D's piccies from Orkney and then went to Oliver's to organise Anna & Rob's meal next June - such a lovely man and we arranged that I would take A & R next time they're up.
Then a nice walk - long causeway and round today for a change - and more gardening - we're making progress!!
Take care and tell KT to drive carefully on your road trip xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tesco's! (13 days to go!!)
it was very exciting - we spent lots of time and money!
Last night we went out for a meal to the Millbank to say goodbye to our friends Sally and David who are going to live in Spain.
More gardening yesterday and today and then a curry at the balti house in Keighley with Steve and Carla to reward us for our hard work and to celebrate Steve's b'day from last month.

keith - in earlier times

Keith
Declares
His
Love
For
Sally . . .








. . . his secret love is no secret anymore . . .

17 days to go ...
can you tell I'm counting down?!
Yesterday was a good day - June came for lunch and she invited me to go for a long weekend pampering in the Algarve in January - well, you can't refuse, can you?!
In the evening we had a super time at the Sykes's house - do you remember Auntie Jane? She & Malcolm know David Thorpe who did the original conversion of Knowsley in the '60's - and he and his family made a video of it! It is absolutely fabulous - we were fascinated and we have a copy to show you. One of the main differences to me is that the aspect was so open then - no thorn hedge, no trees in the paddock and none on the heather bank - I bet it was even more wuthering then! The cars were great too! We invited David Thorpe (via the Sykes's) to come and see Knowsley now - I bet some things haven't changed at all ( like the carpets and curtains!) - I hope he comes.
I was hoping to do more gardening today, but it's raining already and I'm not that keen!

Very Big Garden!!
No photographs today - just some chat!
We are doing our best to make the garden even more beautiful ready for Anna and Rob's wedding - I know we've got ages, but it's very big, particularly since Duncan started on the field!
This morning he hacked back brambles from under the tree house (he has had a request to repair it time for the nuptuals) and I have been tackling the bit along the lane that was very nettley and sycamorey (just inventing new words here - don't worry!). Got attacked on my face by a particularly vicious nettle, but I got the better of the b****rd!
Had a chat with Anna yesterday about decorating the garden and got the go-ahead for a rustic, flower covered arch way!! Yeah! Thought it would be nice for some piccies! Sarah, A's friend, is supplying bunting, so we will be very festive!
Duncan has now gone out to take the pickup on it's inaugural trip along the new bit of lane into the field and I'm waiting for GPJ to arrive to come on a Poppy walk with me - it's GM's day at the old people's home and his day off! We'll see how far we manage - it's much cooler today, and showery, so that will help - we (Pops & me) have only been managing quitwe short walks most days recently it's been SO hot!!
All for now - enjoy NZ again - can't remember what you will be doing, but I'm sure it will involve lots of fun - love Mum xxx
PS - tomorrow you will be coming home THIS month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hurrah!