Holiday time!

I am hoping that the BBQ summer we have been promised is arriving this week because I have a week's leave planned. It's Min's birthday and she is celebrating this weekend so India is coming to stay which we are really looking forward to. She has alrady packed her suitcase apparently and has told me on the phone that she is bringing her paints and a new book! I am also going on retreat one of the days, something I do each year - an opportunity clear the mind and just 'be'. Mr M and I hope also to do a bit of walking and I have no doubt that we may well test out a couple of the local country pubs in the area that we haven't been to yet!
The lovely Debbie Thrower will be keeping my chair warm for the week, so make her very welcome and I look forward to speaking to you on Monday 7th!
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What does a pilot wear under his uniform?

well, it would seem that if you are a Vulcan pilot, the answer is flame retardent pants! These and other searching questions were answered at the Bournemouth Air Show. I have never seen so many people on a beach and it is rumoured that hundreds of thousands flocked over the four days to see the spectacular sights. I am sure that most of those filtered through the BBC tent and it was lovely to meet so many of you there. The heat was incredible on Sunday and all in all a great day was had by all. My favourite sight was the Lancaster as my dad flew them in the war, and I must admit to bursting into tears as it flew over. Very emotional and I felt very porud.
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Bournemouth Air Festival

Looking forward very much to joining Tristan Pascoe in the BBC marquee on Sunday afternoon. Watching the aeroplanes and trying to spot exactly what they are - must take my glasses!!! Looking forward to meeting some of you there too.
Loved talking today to Newton Faulkner and hearing him play live 'just like that' was great - he is a real talent and you tend to forget he is only 23. I particularly like the fact that in his dreadlocks he has many 'treasures' such as toe rings, and a small watch!!! Wished I had brought something in to add to the collection! Youc an see the pictures on the Facebook page.
Have a great weekend!
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Hoorah summer's back!

Well, the weather men are telling us the BBQ summer could be on its way back, so I am looking forward to taking full advantage this weekend. A day at the seaside with Min and India and we are entertaining Mr M's cousin this weekend too. Strange phrase that isn't it - brings to mind the idea that we will suddenly come from inside the curtains in the lounge with the Ikea lamp lighting us and start singing and dancing!
Loved speaking with Sir Robin Knox Jonston this afternoon and hearing his riveting account of what happened 30 years ago in the Fastnet tradegy, life as a sailor although exciting can also be terrifiying at times, and Nature will always win.
Enjoy the sunshine and have a fab weekend!

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Lovely weekend - back refreshed!

Amazing what a break from jobs at home etc can do for you! Mr M and I stayed at this lovely hotel and walked in Windsor Great Park and lunched at a local pub, having had a swim and steam room and sauna in the spa. When we arrived at the pub we were told that there was a wedding being held there at 1.30. What a brilliant idea to have a wedding reception at your local. We thought that must be a real credit crunch way round the expense of a wedding. Until we asked the price - £4,500!!!! Wow!
We then walked around Virginia Water, filled with people paddling in the water, playing badminton and picnicing. Quick shop in Winchester on the way home - only 24 hours away but it felt like we had really relaxed. I am sure all you listeners who have camper vans do this on a regular basis and know the way it revives!
Bought India's school (nursery) shoes on Sunday and she made me laugh out loud because she has lights in the soles and to activate them she needs to stamp on the floor. This involves for her, an extremely exagerrated stamp on the floor and a shout of 'look at the lights Gran'!!!
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Not sure where the week has gone!

But looking forward to the weekend! Mr M and I are treating ourselves to a night in Windsor at a hotel with a spa. I need some chill out time and we are making the most of the sunny weekend after days of rain! The Hooligans have loced this weather this week, being ducks, but I am beginning to think I have also grown webbed feet and I need some warmth. Hoping to do a bit of walking as well, and then seeing the girls on Sunday. India was upset today at nursery because she was told her birthday wasn't until October, and couldn't understand why if Granny had just had one why hers wasn't next!
have a great weekend
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Guess what it was!

Well you will be delighted as me to know that it wasn't a goat! A beautiful tall graceful lemon tree greeted me on my birthday morning. Mr M had very cleverly remembered that I wanted one as I mentioned it some moths ago. The only worrying comment was when he said that the best way to keep a lemon tree was to wee on it! Well count me out on that one Mr! And if I see you sneaking out in the night.......
Min, India and Zac came over for a meal on Sunday and we enjoyed a wonderful day in the garden, feeding the Hooligans (our family of 8 ducklings)! and watching India ride her new bike. She has suddenly become a little girl and is very grown-up! She planted some seeds and I will give you an update as to their progress! She then said she wanted to sing so out came Mr M's guitar as he valiently tried to strum along to the warblings of Bob the Builder 2 and three quarter year old style!
A wonderful weekend - how lucky I am

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