A list as long as my arm

 Yesterday was somewhat full on.  All the family were here for a meal to celebrate what would have been Keith's 85th birthday.  Gabby cooked it for us, bless her.  (Venison steaks, veg and Potato Dauphinoise).

I am so lucky to have this on my doorstep.  The slope to the left belongs to me, having been part of the much bigger estate but stayed with my plot when it was divided up for sale around 1900.

 

Without the help of the girls, there is no way I could have planned this trip on my own, having so little experience of foreign travel.  Just the "what to pack" list made two pages, then there were short lists of important phone numbers, passwords, and we printed off all the necessary paperwork just in case it was needed. Any apps I might need went on my phone and Tam rearranged the layout so the important ones I would/might need were all on the same "page" at the front.   Danny was very sensible and said that the middle week travelling looked worse than it was (on paper) as basically it was just travelling from A to B and stopping at a hotel en route, with outings.  They all said just to break it down into little steps and it was going to be ok. . . . .  and breathe . . .

Little Rosie has been an absolute joy, though very subdued with Danny here (hah, like my boy cats, who Stayed Outside as he was clearly Dodgy - yet they grew up with him!!).  She will come up and ask for an 'Ug, although she did say cuddle a couple of times.  When she bought me a photo of my dad which is on the little joint stool by the fireplace, I told her it was my dad, her g. grandad.  Yesterday morning she carried it over to me again and gave it to me, looked up and said "dad" (meaning my dad).  That just amazed me.  She has such empathy and is so caring and loving.  We are so close, and she asks for me every day (hoping I will visit).  We will keep in touch via video call when I am in NZ. 

The house was very quiet when they had all gone last night.  I was absolutely shattered.  I began getting ready for bed at 8.15 as I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.  I was out like a light and slept solidly for 5 hrs before Alfie asked to go out.  Then I was Wide Awake of course!

So I have had a cup of tea and a piece of toast and will play a couple of games of Solitaire and drag myself back up to bed.  Have to drive to the auction first thing tomorrow to pick up a musket which didn't sell, and then an hour in the opposite direction to go to my bank appt. in Brecon, to reinvest my ISA.  Then back home, make my bed up fresh, strip the rest of the meat off the chicken and decide what to do with it (freeze it probably) and sort out perishables to give to Pam to use up.