Dearest Mother says she much prefers dogs, especially Pekingese, to children. “Children nowadays love luxury; they love chatter in place of exercise; children are now tyrants, not servants of their households; they no longer rise when their elders enter the room. They contradict parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs and tyrannise their teachers”. This was written by Socrates in 400 years BC and little has changed!
Mother and I went to Gloucestershire at the weekend to meet Ma’s youngest daughter Charlie’s future in-laws; James, Charlie’s future husband drove us. We had the most delicious lunch and although Ma is not a foodie, she thoroughly enjoyed it. As the great French chef Robert Carrier once said “what other physical pleasure can you enjoy three times a day without getting bored with it?” Ma agrees, adding “as long as you don’t have to cook it!” On the way back to Somerset, we stayed near Malmsbury with Jamie, Charlie’s brother who is giving her away in April at her wedding. We spent a happy morning before we left, planning their new garden.
Despite the icy weather, all hands were on deck pruning the wisteria, which climbs over the roof of the workshop in the Inner Court; planks have to be laid across the sloping roof to walk on. A massive task, with questionable safety.
True is the old adage, as the days grow longer, so the cold grows stronger. The cold winds from Siberia add to the melancholy February days, as we wait for the Beast from the East to bring havoc to our lives.
Greenham, Nr. Wellington,
Somerset, TA21 OJR
01823 672283
