It’s been a lovely week, were it not for the dismal, dreary, damp, grey and overcast skies. We had lunch (and a copious quantity of drink) out on Sunday at one of our lovely neighbours, along with just about everyone else in the village. The food was lovely (and plenty of it) and the company was grand.
Then, on Monday we welcomed the return of two of our former lovely neighbours (they’re still lovely; they formerly lived in the village) for an overnighter on their way back up north. It’s always a treat to see them and we’re so pleased that they got their booking in for the Guest Wing in good time. We invited the same lovely neighbours who had hosted us on Sunday to join us for dinner and, you’ll be surprised to know, Penelope prepared a feast – a vegetarian Wellington which was excellent – along with ten million sides and desserts. How does she do it? Essentially, by directing me to stay out of the way.
Penny received a traffic violation notice towards the end of last week. She was initially concerned that she had been caught speeding again since she’s only recently completed her Speed Awareness Course for the last time she was caught speeding. On closer examination, however, this notice was for driving through a pedestrian only zone. Quelle merde! The photos on the back of the notice identifying our vehicle left something to be desired, i.e. they were black blobs with the vague outline of some sort of car turning into the pedestrian zone.
Apparently, their vehicle recognition cameras recorded her license plate number and the notice duly arrived. On examining the notice, I couldn’t quite work out why it had come from Peterborough City Council. Neither of us has ever been to Peterborough. It’s therefore somewhat unlikely that Penny’s car was violating a traffic ordinance in Peterborough all on its own. I sent off a letter explaining that neither of us has ever been to Peterborough and that perhaps this was to do with an error by the number recognition system. Thankfully, the letter cancelling the notice arrived on Thursday afternoon so all is well. I guess it was someone else who, perhaps, got away with it?
We’ve had news and a number of photos from our Chinese family who are travelling in the far east. Adam, Ava and the girls have been in Liuzhou with Ava’s parents for a couple of weeks and are now in Cambodia where they met up with one of Adam’s childhood buddies, George Jefferies who now lives and works in Phnom Penh. I think they are stopping a few days there and then making their way up to Angkor Wat. Such fun and great experiences for the girls.
We’re out to dinner this coming Wednesday to make up for our aborted anniversary intentions. And, since it’s only a week to my birthday, we can celebrate both events in one go. Even better, the Cromwell Cottage sent me a voucher for a buy one, get one free starter, main and dessert. Win, win. Let’s hope it doesn’t rain or flood any more before then.
Meanwhile, keep breathing, keep happy, keep smiling, keep exercising, be good, be careful, and keep safe. And be gentle to wasps and bees – we need all the pollinators we can get.
Lots of love to you all,
Greg