It has been a really hot one so far. I remember all the years gone by and waiting for the summer holidays but actually, as soon as they arrive all we have/had was rain and cold. At this point, as I type, mid July, I feel as if we would relish some rain and cold weather as it has been so hot for so long now.

There is lots of news of course there is. But how much of it would I choose to share? I never want to be the bearer of bad news……

The boys are doing well and my big one has returned home from living in London briefly. He left just after his Dad’s funeral and the youngest and I fell into a lovely pattern with each other. There was peace and quiet and tidiness. Last week when the big one got back I feel sooooo happy to have him back but also realise that the peace is now gone. The nice tidy room which I made after his disastrous exit in September last year, the long old job of tip runs and cleaning and painting and plastering, I even moved my office in there as it was so clean tidy and peaceful – now has his massive Rizla wall picture in and his selotaped [God forbid] photo posters of Arnie and other body builders in his little collection of them all……… I am so happy.

The kitchen is full of bags of his clothes still and also a clothes horse of his clothes – I fear that he is waiting for me to iron all his shirts. He will have a long wait.

In the meantime I have had lots of visitors and I adore my friends, I am so blessed to have such gorgeous women in my life. Old friends have come to see me lots. And my fave new ones too. Thanet not being my hometown but it’s alright ya know. I know that my DFL has run out now its rubbed off after having lived here for 20 years but……. my London friends when they do visit – oh fresh air, you beauty. How nice to be reminded of how LUCKY I am to live here by the beautiful walk to the end of the world and back.

I had a colleague visit from Birmingham – well Wolverhampton actually, blimey, Frank Skinner and Lenny Henry would KILL ME! – anyway she came and walked to the end of the world with me, we were so happy like 2 little pigs in shit to see each other. We did a mini vid for our other colleagues but it didn’t work so we were SO DISAPPOINTED but I still adore the photo which shouldn’t have been a photo it should have been a video so that will be the one to go with this post.

Colleagues galore have also been my saving grace this summer. Lots of love coming my way from them all. Who would have thought that at this old age that I am, that I would have found my people. In my lovely job.

Oh – in other news – does anyone else obssess about the Constance Marten case – thinking “there but for the grace of God go I”? I wish her peace and sanctuary from all that she has been running from for all these years. I cannot imagine that the sentencing will be kind to her in September.

There has been lots of festival activity this summer so far too with happiness galore, my own trip to Quex to see the Ibiza Orchestra and Groove Armada (who I adore!) the country of the year is Greece and both the Busy boys have been to islands this summer so far and I am off there myself next week to Lesvos to see an old colleague WITH an old colleague and flatmate.

Here’s hoping for a peaceful and warm August for us all.