We were ‘forced’ to be in Sandhurst this weekend because of an important celebration last night – two of DMs school friends were 40 and they had a joint party. I must confess to having worked myself up into a real stew over it. I’m not a lover of parties anyway and the thought of going to a party where I would know 4-5 people but most would know David was really daunting. I had just about driven myself into a frenzy of worry stemming from insecurity. You know the sort of thing….. ‘when we walk in they will all look at me and say “well, he’s obviously not with her for her looks so what HAS she got going for her”…..

Anyway, it was actually a really good evening, I was made to feel very welcome, not just by the hosts (both lovely chaps) but also by all the ‘Team Langoustine’ folks too and the only time I cringed inside (and then I was cringing for someone else, not for me) was when someone David hadn’t seen since school confessed to David that he was only able to live in his swish surroundings because his wife was a ‘cash cow’. I wonder if she thumped him when they got home or if she was happy to be described as such?

So today I’ve taken advantage of being here to spend the day working in the garden, neglected because I’ve been either away from home on business or in Cornwall. I have machete’d my way into my veggie plot, where the weeds were taller than me and discovered that the potatoes, broad beans, courgettes, peas and beans are all doing rather well despite complete neglect since they went in. We will be having home grown produce this summer after all and not only that but we will be having something from the garden tonight – whoopee.

We’ve both been at it – weeding, tidying and generally bringing it back under control. It’s cool. Well, it’s sweltering actually but never mind! These are David’s gloves that Erica gave to him a few weeks ago to protect his eczema.

Last year I was rather pleased with my attempt at an Audrey Hepburn-esque SP and two years ago, I waas relishing a summer storm....one of those would go down a treat now too.