Still dragging on in Alvechurch

Brian chiseling the plaster from the walls in the bathroom

So last Sunday was a lovely day, there were little goats to stroke at farm day and we had a lovely afternoon with Fiona and James. We’d taken over a box of ‘stuff’ from the loft, we weren’t sure what was in there, but knew it had all been Stuart’s. Old school notes, letters and various other treasures. It was bittersweet, bringing back some memories for Brian and Fiona. We could all laugh at a letter with notes on the outside with comments on the outside along the lines of: “you’re dead if you read this and you are not Stuart” and “Don’t let anyone, particularly Fiona read this”....

This was followed by our meal at the Merry Maid, the pub looked horrendous from the outside, but once inside it was much more pleasant and the Indian food, jointly ordered and shared between 9, was delicious.

Perhaps not the material Jackie envisaged when she asked me to fill the bathroom sink! Note the 'Alvechurch' imprint in the bricks, from the local brickworks, long since closed that supplied many 1920's houses built in the village. They are old imperial bricks (larger than modern metric versions) and built sideways to save bricks

Pauline's new giraffe, Gerald. He's as big as she is

Apart from that it’s been a quiet week, we are having our day off today, Friday, as the kitchen work surfaces have finally arrived, so dust and noise, but once done will leave us space to paint in the living room over the weekend. Typically though today it’s done nothing but rain. Fortunately we went down the pub, with mum, for a bottle of wine in the sunshine yesterday. The main excitement for the day has been re-homing Gerald. For some reason mother has hankered after having a giraffe in the garden for years, and today it has finally happened! We’ve sorted out a housesit for the end of July into August near Glasgow for some R&R with two cats after we finish with Tony and Nicky doing whatever task they have in mind as we go up with Helen and Ian. 

Trying to find a suitable place for Gerald in the garden

We just need to get the house finished! Everything is ordered, carpets, tiles, windows, the bathroom is in one of the bedrooms, we just need Paul to board, skim and fit it....

His final position. Looks like he's chasing Brian away

Farm day at Forge Mill in Redditch and the goats had escaped their pen to sample the delights of the local brambles  

Yes, this was a game for the kids, but adults can join in as well. Strategically placed cats placed around FM with a little punch to mark a card. Here's one...

And there's another one on that old cast iron water wheel. We got 35 points, but needed 50 to be considered a good spotter. Ah well, we'll leave that for the kids!