Double Trouble

We are here in Florida at Belinda's home getting ready for her wedding this coming weekend. At one point we thought we would not make it as when we collected Thierry on Saturday he had a very sore finger (from shutting it in the door!) which turned septic overnight so that by Sunday morning it was twice its size and bright red. Off we went to the local Walk In Centre and they prescribed antibiotics and said he would be fine to travel ..... by 5 o'clock that day he was bright red, had a rash and was feverish. Back to the Walk In Centre who in turn reffered us to the local out of hours Doctors. It seems he was very allergic to the antibiotics!!! We had a very early start the next morning with one very sleepy, sad little boy, a new bottle of different antibiotics and a long flight ahead.

Still here we are and a few days later I am pleased to say Thierry is much better and back to his usual lively, cheeky self. He and Lily are having a wonderful time playing together and we are all looking forward to the wedding.

The Duchess of Dorinda

This is our 88 year old mother, Iris. Nanny Iris has 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. She lives at Highclere Nursing Home and despite being physically frail and having cataracts she still keeps herself busy knitting and making greetings cards for family and friends.

Iris' friend Sheila Russell died last week which marks the end of a friendship which spanned more than 60 years. Iris first met Sheila when she moved into a bedsit in Edmonton during the war and Sheila lived opposite. Sheila was just 11 years old then. Later when my sister and I were born Sheila would help Iris look after us and babysit. When we all moved to Dorinda Street in Holloway, London Sheila kept in touch and was a regular visitor. The house we moved into was in a very poor condition (part war damage and part years of neglect) but it was a house not a bedsit. Sheila started calling Iris "The Duchess of Dorinda" because she worked so hard to make that little house bright and cheerful and, in Sheila's words "Iris was a proud person like a duchess. She always tried to make the best of everything no matter how bad things were."

Over the years that followed Sheila and Iris kept in touch, mostly by letter and phone. Sheila continued to refer to Iris as the Duchess of Dorinda and would even address letters to her as that. I guess that the flowers Iris sends to the funeral from the Duchess of Dorinda will be the last time that the title is used.

Summer?

We just caught this baby bird sheltering from the rain under our Hydrangea. It's a cold, wet, miserable July evening. Still at least we don't have to remember to water the garden.

Michika Oliver Fo

Now this was worth the wait.

Our newest grandson was born on 18th June and the look on his big brother's face when he saw him was one of those very special moments in life.

Worth the wait

Our peonies have been in bud what seems like for ever but at last the buds have opened. It was worth the wait.

Spring Bank Holiday

Well we were hoping to enjoy a quiet weekend in the garden but the weather doesn't look too promising. At least we have plenty of blooms to look at and have managed to enjoy a few days outside during the last week.

Family time