Last Sunday we had a surprise when the phone rang to say that our grandson no 3 and his girlfriend were on their way back from visiting family in North Yorkshire (the other grandmother) and would come and visit on their way back down to Berkshire. We haven't see them since we were in Berkshire for grandson no 2's birthday party. The photo above is when they came and we went for a drive to Castleton in Derbyshire which must have been two years ago. They weren't able to stay long because of their long onward journey. They wore masks as they had done when visiting the other grandma which was very thoughtful of them, but it felt very strange sitting and not being able to be close together or hug one another. They had chosen a lovely bouquet of lilies, gladioli and ornamental cabbage. The buds are just beginning to open and look very pretty. We were so pleased to see them even for such a short time.
We were planning to go down to Berkshire soon, but it now depends on the restrictions that are being put in place again because of the rise in the number of infectious cases of the virus. More areas of the country are in a sort of partial lockdown and the rules are confusing. The constant in England is the rule of only six people gathering together, but whatever the situation it's all very depressing. I'm trying to stay positive as our situation could be worse.
Small things cheer me up such as getting my new mouse for the computer. It means I can use the laptop again without scrolling on the pad which I find too sensitive for the tasks that I do.
I've also been doing a lot of deep cleaning, one room at a time. It would be easy just to drift along from day-to-day.
I still haven't listened to any of the audio books that I got from the library. The large print Bill Bryson book looks interesting as it's all about words, how they got into the English language and how dictionaries were created. I'm hoping it'll be an entertaining read as well as informative.
I've also dipped into a book that has been on my shelf unread which I got from a charity shop, The Forgotten Garden. I've read other books by Kate Morton and I'm intrigued by the title. Now that I have my prescription glasses with varifocals I'm finding texts easier to read so long as the print is big enough. The book is 600+ pages long so it'll take some time to get through so long as it draws me in. The one problem is that it jumps about from one period to another as the narrative is set in 1913, 1975, 2005.
Cover blurb:
1913 - On the eve of World War I a little girl is found abandoned after a gruelling ocean voyage from England to Australia. All she can remember of the journey is that a mysterious woman she calls the Authoress had promised to look after her. But the authoress has vanished without trace.
1975 - Now an old lady. Nell travels to England to discover the truth about her parentage. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor...What has prompted Nell's journey after all these years?
2005 - On Nell's death her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into an inheritance. Cliff Cottage in the grounds of Blackhurst Manor is notorious among the locals for the secrets it holds. The abandoned garden is where Cassandra will uncover the truth about the family who lived at the manor and why the young Nell was abandoned all those decades before.
"Before her eyes the garden changed. Weeds and brambles, decades in the growing, receded. Leaves lifted from the ground, revealing paths and flowerbeds and a garden seat. Light was permitted entry once more...."
Here are a few more photos on entering the walled garden by the library. We've had some stormy weather lately so I'll have to go back soon and see how the plants are getting on during these October days.
Thank you once more for your visit. Have a good weekend everyone!