Later the same evening

The cheese had gone mouldy . This hot weather has made me think i shall have to turn the fridge up to 4 .Still Dad has enjoyed his meal , which has been washed down with a very fine chillean wine that peter bought up for his birthday . . The barometer which my great Grandfather use to tap every day , does not like living in Henley .He has neve been the same since arriving here in Dads car .Hence I am unable to tell you the temperature in our little kitchen .We are having summer fruit fool for dessert , this is a recipe from Paul Rankin .Go to bbc.co.uk food .

Blue washing up

I have been very fortunate today , I managed to buy a very rare bottle of blue washing up liquid . I have never seen one before .
So now I have six .How many have you got ?

Henley is very hot and so very busy , the Regatta is on .Dad and I are going on saturday , and taking a picnic , our cameras , and 2 bottles of champagne .These will go in my wicker basket , along with Jarvis's dog biscuit's .

We are having pasta tonight , with a vine -ripened tomato and mascerpone stir through sauce .Also some parmessan cheese .
Not great ,but it's late and this is quick .

I have made 5 rhubarb crumbles .Do let me know if you would like one .They are in the freezer .

A man has given me 34 cabbage plants , which I have put in the allotment, so plenty of cabbage for the autumn .

An extract from my written journal

June 21st 2002

Everybody is getting up early to watch the quarter finals of the world cup . England are playing Brazil . The K. O. is 7.30 am .

Dad finished work yesterday , so he will be able to watch it .

We have eggs , sausages , mushrooms , and tomatoes in for a special breakfast .

The whole country is either watching it at work ,on large screens, or going in after the match . Such great excitment everywhere .

I do hope they win .

Today is the longest day . Yesterday turned out sunny . I was sad first thing , but I cheered up later . I went into Brighton to get my glasses, and nan's birthday present .

Saturday 22nd June 2002

We lost 2.1 to Brazil , so we are out of the world cup . What a shame , because if we had beaten them we had a good chance of winning the competion.

It was nice and sunny yesterday and there was daylight for 18 hours .

Every morning I wake up so early . I wish I could lie in . I've just read a book , about somebody walking the south downs way .I would really like to do this , before I move .

We walked along The Gardens and past our old shop . Its nearly 20 years since we moved down to Southwick . Amaziing .

Sunday 23rd June 2002

Another sunny day .No rain all week .

Last night everyone bar me , went to the pictures to see Spiderman . They enjoyed it .

I went to Hove lawns to see the commonwealth games baton arrive . They had music and entertainment . Joanne Good from southern counties radio was the compere .It was so windy , and I didnt have a jacket ,so I came home sooner than I wanted to .
Its a nice day today, I wonder if we might go out somewhere .

Dotty ,Wrinkle , Jarvis . Ben . Paul ,and me .

The photo of the dogs and me was taken at the farm where I work .

Ben is waving goodbye outside his house .

Paul is having a pub meal with me in the village , where the vicar of Didley was filmed .

An extract from my written journal

Saturday 1st June 2002

I'm starting my 2nd journal , on a happier note than the 1st one , which I started the day after you and Lisa left for Australia .

You have never read the first one,phraphs one day .

Anyway , you are both happy in osbourne st , as you have your buisness and good jobs. and in 7 months we will see you , as that is when Daniel and Lorraine are getting married .

Its 6.30 am and the sun is shinning . Dad is in bed reading his computer magazine , and drinking a cup of earl grey .

Yesterday nan and I potted up a lot of cuttings , which she is going to look after for me . I sat in the garden and listened to the radio , then did some gardening . I arranged the table and chairs ready for us to have cocktails in the garden , but the sun went in . So we had a nice evening in and watched tv.

Dad has just seen a review of Dans programme in Mac World . He's a clever lad , fame is just waiting to happen for him .


Sunday 2nd June 2002

The world cup in Japan is on . So all matches are shown live in the morning here . Most pubs will be open early .
England are playing Sweden today , so we will have a special breakfast , while we are watching .

Yesterday was a loveley day sunny day . A good start for June , which is my favourite month . The days are long and sunny . The roses are out in the garden , it looks nice out there . I love the garden..
All the boys were working . Dad and I had a quiet day . we bought 2 very nice chrome and blue folding chairs from Homebase for £14.99. each .

Red Shoes

On the subject of red, the other day I was in Reading, wearing my patent leather red shoes, when a man came up to me and said 'hello Dorothy' This was odd at first, and then I realised why, and I laughed to myself What fun!!!

Do you know why?

Today has been our longest day, and Australias shortest. I love these sunny summer days.

Nan and Grandad have put their bungalow up for sale.

They would like to buy a warden controlled retirement flat.

They bought that place not long after they retired, which was the day our Ben was born, and that was a very happy day.

The days you boys were born are the happiest days of Dads and my life.

I am so counting the days untill we see Alex and Lisa again. It makes me so tearfull, but happy, when I think about next February.

I think my next entry will be a transcript of my journals, for a few years ago. Do you think this would be interesting to you?

Its 10 o clock. I havent had my dinner yet. Dad is out, and that is why I havent got round to it yet. I have been making Jam.
Thats enough for now.

P.S. Edited by Ben.

Reading now.

The biography of captain James Cook

At home with books.How booklovers live with and care for their libaries.

BBC good food magazine

New Red Kettle

Our old kettle(4 years old) would not boil and it blew the fuse twice.So after work I drove to Reading (£3 to park) and went in John Lewis .The only shop you need there.It sells such nice things and its easy to shop there.Its quality all the way ,staff as well.
Ben knows and likes this shop.So its not for old fogies only.There were 16 kettles to choose from,all laid out so you could examine them and read all about them.I choose the Red because we have a Red dualit toaster as well.This has been excellant and I would recomend you buy this one as toasters in the Counsell family have had a nasty habbit of catching fire.Im making strawberry jam, and if you would like a jar ,just let me know.

Dogs dinner

Jarvis is having raw egg and tescos complete dog food with chichen.Which would you rather have?

Jet only to answer.

Only an apron

All gone.Its10pm.

I've asked Steve what we are watching. He says "It's a marvelous invention called Television..."
Oh so very funny!

Ipod radio v cassette tape

On the way to work I listened to BBC Radio Berkshire.The show was hosted by Andrew Peach.Need I say any more about him.This is the only station available.
On the way home I listened to The Carpenters. 1972.I bought this for twenty five pence at a charity shop.I ,sang along at the top of my voice,with the car windows down. The poor passers by.Some of you are aware that my singing is not out of the top drawer.

At home we have on Radio 4.As I was leaving they were talking about the latest craze. Bombs made from coke bottles and mintoe sweets.It explodes so high and the noise is recorded and put on your phone.I would like more imformation on this.It is something I would like try or see.Do you know anything about this?

Now I can help you with the recipes for tonights meal.

Thai turkey burgers ,with Mango pickle mayo ,spicy mango salsa,baby gem leaves,cue and toms in a ciabatta roll.

Sweet potato chips and sssssssssssspinach and watercress salad.

Its time to start as Steve will be home soon.

pink washing up and strawberrys

Today is a pink washing up day .it is made from pink grapefruits.

if you are interested in my hobby of washing up liquids I would be pleased to hear from you. I have only been interested in collecting and using these since we moved to Henley.


Now I went to the allotment this morning (over 30 DEGREES) ,to see if our plastic membrane had arrived.This is half a mile away.

Anyway it hadnt ,but there were many strawberrys ripe for picking.The only thing I had to put some in was a pooh bag.

needs must. so dad and I are having them with creme fraice tonight for pud.

We have an inspection of our house on wednesday by the rentall firm ,so I am cleaning up a bit .Iwashed all the sheets and rugs and they dried in less than an hour, just like in melbourne. magic.....:)

washing up liquid.SUMMER AND BBQ

today as it was very sunny I have been using my yellow washing up liquid.What have you been using?
The best hand cooked crisps are waitrose sea salt £1.19 for 150g.

the things I love about an English summer are
Everywhere you go -AT WHATEVER THE TIME OF DAY-SEEMS TO OFFER THE PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR A GLASS OF CHILLED WHITE WINE.{EXCEPT THE HENLEY CAMERA CLUB BBQ)

LIVING CLOSE TO NEIGHBOURS AS WE DO .ALL DAY WE HAVE HAD THE SMELL OF BURNT FOOD.THIS IS SO SO BRITISH.

Remembering

I took this photo a short while ago. I like it very much, and I hope you all do.

washing up liquid.

I have 5 different bottles on the go. How many have you?

Goodbye to a best friend.

Dad and I were with her at the end,which was very peaceful.

We put her in the back of Millie, in a cardboard coffin,with her green bone,which she loved to carry round with her.

Then Jarvis saw her,and we drove down to nans house.It was the hotest day ,and the traffic was at a standstill on the M25

Not a good day for this.It took 3 hours.

We buried her at the end of the garden, under the apple tree.

Jarvis stood by the whole time ,he didnt move untill we had finished. He had been very quite,but then he seemed to know it was time to get on with the rest of his life.

Ben came round and we were glad of his suport.

Thankyou all for your kind messages.It means alot to Dad and I.

Sad news

Tessa counsell has broken her front right leg.

Due to the large mass on tessa'sliver there is no treatment.


the vet thinks she would not survive the anasetic needed to xray.

she has strong pain tablets.

she will fall asleep on saturday at 1200.

please say a prayer for a good friend .

im crying now....