While watering the garden this morning Jackie photographed
a bee on a thistle;
and the goldfinch chicks in their nest – as soon as she did so all three flew off.
Later I watered and dead-headed a little on the Back Drive, before we set off for Ivy’s birthday barbecue at Newbury.
Our great-niece Ivy is now one year old. Her mother, Jane, looks rather happier about it.
Helen and Bill were unable to attend, so Shelly and Jackie thought their sister would like to see that they needed their fans.
After our great-nephew Rory had tried out all the buttons on my camera and been foiled by joint darts from Jackie and John in his attempt to speckle my white trousers with chocolate
the least I could do was photograph him while he was planning his next foray.
The event was so well attended that it wasn’t conducive to me staggering about with a camera trying neither to tread on little children nor to elbow others. There was much convivial conversation, eating of tasty sausages, burgers, fried onions, and salads, and drinking of wine, beers and soft beverages, followed by cakes and sparkling wine.
On the A3057 while returning home we joined a short convoy following a long container lorry spreading golden showers every time its load of hay scraped overhead branches as it contributed to the inevitable shaving of tree tunnels.
There was probably relief all round when the articulated juggernaut turned off in the direction of Mottisfont.
Needless to say we needed no more sustenance than cold water this evening.