risotto with the mccrorys

Made a big risotto (with pancetta, sage and cepes) for Caroline, Paddy and the girls today. Pierre was up early despite his Mont Ventoux efforts yesterday. Impressionant!

A great lunch, coffee in the garden afterwards, and then a big walk down to dad's garden and the river.

The girls were in great form. Really well behaved and so funny. Marie-Claire was very chic in her denim jacket and wee scarf. Biz was reading lots again - she was especially interested in my two new cookery books. Sarah recited her poem she had to learn for school which is so long we were all really impressed!

We had ice cream with squirty chantilly for pud. We were squirting it into each other's mouths and laughing our heads off. Sarah laughed so hard she spat her big mouthful of cream out and it landed on Coquine's neck! It was so funny. The girls were killing themselves laughing.

Great craic and lovely to have everyone here.