New pool (1)

Big excitement here when they came to start on our new pool a few days ago.

So, position sorted. You can see evidence of the old plastic pool at the bottom of the garden.

The digger comes in...

... and before we know it...

...a tree is down, the area 'excavated'...

...and the first signs of the base.

Spare sand to use elsewhere in the garden.

Time to concrete, frame in place.

There it is, ready to dry in these hot temperatures!

Meanwhile tell-tale pipes for the pump!

Young visitors & garden photos

Yes, Philippe has been back with his three girlies: Anna, Clare & Laura, and what a good time they've had. Thank you to Laura for many of these photos.

With the recent heatwave the sea has been delicious!

Even the oldsters getting in on the act!

Happy Hour at La Paillote? Why not.

Meanwhile a couple of Laura's floral photos...

Our lavender bush has attracted many butterflies/moths this year

The new fig tree is looking promising...

...and we've never had so many greengages (not quite ripe yet, but not far off).

The apples are looking good too.

Essex vs Yorkshire

Yes, folks, it's that time of year again when playing out most evenings isn't an option! The weather has been incredible (as back in the UK, I know) and it has really been too hot in the day for me. All the more reason to party in the evening, I'm sure you'll agree...

An aerial view of chez nous, no photo-shop here, that's our beach 10 minutes' walk or 5 minutes' cycle!!

Simon Essex, Cockerney Dave & Vindaloo Vanna, always up for a drink or two (or ...)

I'm on door duty at the Starfish here for band night, but time for a photo with Van & Glen, another regular and fellow beer drinker

A little more sedate but the ladeez (Kate, Rachael & Vanna) are hitting the alchemist cocktails BEFORE eating!

For the uninitiated Matt's alchemist has crème de mur, vodka, curacao & Orangina. As you sip the drink through a straw the colour of the Orangina gradually changes!

Last night for the Essex Gang but they're back in a few weeks

No photo of Shan but this was her Bacardi & coke last night, in a pint glass!

Meanwhile back in Sheffield Phil is playing at Tramlines Festival with Steve Papa Edwards, a great gig by all accounts

A big thank you to my Yorkshire family and Essex friends for these photos

Ruby wedding celebration

So why was I back in the UK? Well, 40 years ago this month there were two weddings: old college friends Jim & Les and Edith & John. It's hard to believe that we all met 43 years ago in September. Yes, I'm getting old!

Les & Jim organised a party and the weather was stunning. A good job with the numbers that they had invited!

I got to meet young Lucy Yue Ng, J&L's beautiful grand-daughter

Lots of preparation needed: it was a good job I was there!

Raised beds are the future, eh Jim?

Si, Nad, Phil, George & Anna

Raye, Welsh Dave, Edith & John - Dave was another college friend.

Les catching up with other old friends, Pauline, Sue and David. It was great to catch up with them.

Nad getting in some practice for her baby...

...and Uncle Phil too!

The number of pints we sank in the 70s...it was great to see Gil again, here with John

Old buddies together: Jim, Gil and your faithful blogger, combined age 186!

The official cake, shot taken between the happy couple!

Back to Bingley

I've just got back from a great week in Yorkshire, leaving poor Tine hard at work at the camp site. I couldn't believe my luck: my visit coincided with an all-too-rare heatwave!

It was great to catch up with friends & family, and on my Bingley day I wandered up the Leeds & Liverpool canal to Five Rise Locks where I saw a horse-drawn longboat going through. I certainly never saw that in all our time in the town!

Who could fail to be impressed by the staircase of locks?

We often used to watch the activity at the locks in the evening or at weekends

All towing and braking was done by rope

Now heading for Three Rise Locks, so near to where we lived...

Garden catch up

Just over a week ago we were flooded twice again and we weren't very happy after all the hard garden work. Fortunately it would seem that all is not lost!

What a difference eight days make

It looks like we've lost the shallots and radish (don't tell Maddie!)...

...but we have lots of lettuce to spare!

French beans are in flower so it won't be long before we're harvesting

What beautiful flowers on the 'ratte' potatoes

and the tomato jungle is well on its way.

Meanwhile life is back to being a bucket of cherries...

...and meet our new feathered friend, Mr Hoopoe  Next time we'll try to get his magnificent crest. We counted three in the garden yesterday!