Welcome back readers

After a long gap, I am returning to blogging! John is in China for a 2nd stint which continues until February, whilst Chloe is in 1st year studies at Sheffield Hallam. The weather today is wet and dreary and badminton was cancelled. However on the good news front I have spoken to my badminton friend John, who is home after a big operation and doing well. Hectic and busy at the coal face after a week at an exhibition. Photo of me and Michelin man to follow!

Friday 21 July- Blog demanded!

Weather continues to be red hot, nature centre in big demand -particularly water feature!
Chloe & crew went to see Lost Prophets last night at the carling Academy.
They had a fantastic time, looked like that had walked through a shower when they got home and this morning there are ears are still ringing! John cooked them chicken pasta and garlic bread which they ate in the garden at midnight with the twinkling lights on and Lost prohets playing on the Stereo! I dropped them into school today which is luckily a half day as it is the last day of term.

Grandad and I went to see our budding star of a niece in Annie the musical at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham also last night! What socialites we are! It was nice and Eleanor did well- Uncle Chris was very interested in Johns travelling progress.

Work is manic which is why my blogs have dried up recently- also the net is down at home- but actually its an improvement as we see far more of Chloe!

Young David Smithers has been injured in training, so now won't be passing out till Nov or Jan next year!

Johns Blogs are very entertaining and we are mapping his crazy journey!

All well on home front.

Monday 10th July At work with Fran!

Fran has returned from holidays- thank God- I was totally overworked last week,. I have formally requested that she cancels one week of her honeymoon in September- Adam will have to stay on his own the second week!
Heather is graduating today at Birmingham Uni and I think they have took Grandad.
Did you watch the World cup? Poor France- naughty ZIdAN.

Hello John - it is Fran
I think your mom will go on strike if I leave again - but I am not cancelling Mauritius for anyone (if Adam leaves me standing at the alter - I'm goin!!)
Pleased to hear you are having a nice time - the constipation is always good especially when you have no loo roll (which hand do you wipe your bum with!!!) (Your mom is now screaming out in terror!!!)
Sorry you were robbed like I told you, you would be in Poland but it was better than being stabbed like your mom fears.
Did you go to Cafe Imperial in Prague and what did you think to it? Yes i know the booze is cheap but did you do any sightseeing apart from bar seeing.
Well just wanted to report that your mom has not took to her bed yet in fear of your travels yet - so keep yourself safe and take care. Better go now as you know your mum is a slave driver - she has the whip out again!!

Must go food shopping soon- somehow its all lasting so much longer!

Hope John & Steve are well and will sonn report their favourite meal and are they having breakfast. PTA meeting at 7.00 so must dash

Brenda

Saturday 8th July

Sorry we havent blogged for a few days - things have been a bit hectic.
Grandad has been in City Hospital for a planned operation on his eyes- all is well and he is home.
He asks about Johns progress daily.
Awoken to the news that John & Steve have been robbed on the train - poor things- but they are OK, thank God.
Heatwave is officially well & truely over.
Chloe is well and enjoying the blogs- she is at Clara birthday party tonight, Dad and I have just returned from the Balti resteraunt on Slade Road- very nice!
What are John & Steve eating I wonder... do they have breakfast? Best meal so far?
The house is very empty--but tidy and somehow only half the washing to do.

Alls well on the home front
Brenda

Tuesday - Still Scorchio

Another hot day
Chloe back at school although still has tonsillitis poor thing.
Wondering if John is taking his penicillin and where he is!
Work was work.
Popped down to see Grandad who is well.
Too hot to do anything else.

Brenda

Phew 36C Monday 3 July

Red hot day again!
Poor Chloe now has tonsilitis and has today off school and no Cheerleading tonight.
Work was work.
Freakily Dad has put cheese on the nature centre- can only assume he is trying to catch a flying mouse!
All well on the home front.

Brenda

Sunday- Phew! What a scorcher!

Very hot today 30++
Walked dog in Sutton Park at 9.30 and had bacon sandwiches at new Blackroot Bistro... delicious and no washing up. Went to Daddy Daves 50th Birthday party great food and no washing up again! No young David as he is on army manouevres. Chloe has gone to Ask! for a meal with the Thrupps. Heat now oppresive and sticky.
Wondering how John is coping with the heat - and if still taking pencillin regularly....
read blog- it sounds Mexican with all the zzzzzs!
England in quiet mourning after losing yesterday.
Frances gone to Majorca today for a week.
All well on the home front.

Brenda

Nature centre news

Forgot to report lots going on at the bird tables! Many visitors yesterday having a bird bath- and new visitors. We now have two field mice who sit under the bowls and pop up when safe to eat the seeds. A magpie swooped down to catch them but just missed.
All life is there!
Brenda