High summer

July and August brought us a lot of rain and some bursts of really, really hot weather which was both enjoyable and uncomfortable. Enjoyable at the beach, uncomfortable at work.

We had days when it was far to warm to walk Ziggy, so Bella and I waited until 9pm then drove down to the harbour to watch the sunset and let Ziggy stretch his legs and have a few sniffs.

We made it to the beach and had our first (but not last - more since!) sea swim of the year, always a happy point for me as it makes me feel that we have had a proper summer.

Likewise beach towels and swimsuits drying in the early evening sun.

Food has been hot weather food, Smoothies for breakfast with whatever is in the fridge and ideally some bananas from the freezer to make it lovely and cold.

Fruits salad and iced coffee, outside. Toast with chocolate spread and strawberries, inside.

A bowl of homemade guacamole made for friends who came over for dinner and drinks.

From the garden, currants picked and frozen on an almost daily basis. I still have redcurrants out there now, but the birds can have them.

And bunches of sweet peas which have sadly gone over now, but they were a pleasure while they lasted.

There have been so many nice moments to look back on this summer. As well as a holiday (more to come on that another day) there have been such a lot of good times with friends and family, often in really good weather too which, being British, obviously makes all the difference.

We visited nearby Lordington Lavender to walk amongst the flowers, take photos and buy some of their lovely products (I love their candles).

On the way home we stopped off and picked some from my parents' garden.

My friend Charlotte and I met up at a yoga retreat in the New Forest. We used to go to yoga together every week together. I loved it, but the teacher stopped doing the classes and my friend moved away.  We had the best day. The yoga was challenging but I enjoyed that, and it was all outside. Yoga under the sun was a new, and wonderful, experience.

I enjoyed it so much I joined a group nearby, once a week after work.

That same weekend, my friend Emma turned forty had held a party in Arundel, Four out of six members of book group were in one place which was a treat, as we are quite scattered.

End of term finally came, along with end of term drinks.

And shortly after that, a warm and sunny day in London with two friends from Leeds, back from NCT baby days. We marvelled that we have children that are soon to be eighteen.

We had lunch in a vegan restaurant in Borough Market.

I had a very good margarita, a disappointing main course (literally just raw courgette), and one of the best desserts I've ever eaten, a kind of nutty sticky toffee pudding. 

But life cannot be all gallivanting about in sundresses and drinking cocktails, nor would I want it to be. There have been many simple everyday things which have brought joy this summer.

Walks with John and Ziggy through the fields, even under grey skies.

Hollyhocks.

Sunny walks around Bosham while eating ice cream.

Cheap bunches of gladioli.

Browsing around Chichester after dropping Bella at work.

When the lace hydrangea in the front garden flower.

Wild flowers on walks.

A little embroidery (not by me) to hang above the kitchen door.

Wild flower inspired nails.

The sweetest cards and gifts from my class at the end of term. 

Having time to potter about the house, cleaning and rearranging shelves.

Finally getting around to buying a plate hanger for a plate I bought in Derbyshire ten years ago.

And creating a little gallery wall by the bookcases.

The satisfaction of giving the whole kitchen a deep clean and opening the fridge and seeing order, opening the oven and seeing gleaming shelves. 

Just a lot of everyday pottering really. Spending time with the children and John, with family and friends near and far.

And Ziggy of course.

I hope you are having a good summer. :-)