Home!

We had no air con in the Travel Lodge but they provided a fan which was most welcome.

We were on the road by 9 and got home at 4, having stopped at Grantham services then Team Valley for diesel and a small food shopping. I’m glad I have a veggie and chickpea curry in the freezer as we are desperate for healthy but tasty food.

Thomas and family had a good sleep last night after the dramas. The temperature there is a more comfortable 28 (82) so they had a bike ride round the lake and a go at a trim trail, making the most of the unexpected extra time there. The others are having fun in Lille.

It took us an hour to unload the car (Mr C brought stuff up in a wheelbarrow!) while I put it all away, unpack the bags and I’d got the second wash on before our very welcome G&T in the garden. The butterflies are making the most of the last of the buddleia . It’s a pleasant 24 here - so cool compared with what we had! I seem to have a tan despite spending most of the time in the shade.

Thank you for your kind supportive response about both Thomas and James. The latter is a worry for us all. He had so much potential but how to realise it?