Saturday 8 August 2020

The Distancing Diaries - Day 140 & 141


On Friday, as we were due at the vets for 8.30 am, I attempted to let the lads out before feeding them hoping they'd do their business and their empty bellies would make them come back quickly. Of course not! They refused to leave the house until breakfast had been served so, not wanting them to disappear on an adventure and not find them again for hours, I fed them and made them stay inside. My Wii Fit session was interrupted by constant wailing.


We got to the vets just before it opened. The relaxation in rules meant that an owner can now accompany their pet into the clinic for a consultation so Jon was able to take both lads inside while I read my book in the van. Both had their annual boosters, Frank was checked and the vet said that she suspected that his illness earlier this week was a mild bout of cat flu but was nothing to worry about. Stephen's always been slightly deranged but since lockdown he's been even more vocal and crazy than usual and we'd suspected an over-active thyroid. The vet said that it felt slightly enlarged, took a blood test and said she'd call later with the result but overall thought he was in brilliant shape for a 15 year-old cat. Needless to say Jon's wallet was a lot lighter when he left the surgery.


Back at home we had a late fruit & yogurt breakfast and, while I watered the plants (and Jon), he planted beetroot, mixed salad lettuce leaves, radicchio and basil. As forecast, it was a gloriously hot morning and the lads, sleepy from their jabs, took refuge in the undergrowth.


The postman delivered an amazing pair of vintage 1970s Christian Dior sunglasses for me, Jon had spotted them on eBay last week and had managed to win for a bargain price. I am spoilt! 
Wearing: Vintage Indian block printed sundress with quilted bodice, Lotta from Stockholm clogs & 1970s Christian Dior sunglasses (all eBay)

Liz & Al popped round with Jon's birthday presents and we lay on the lawn, Liz & I drinking cans of G&T and Al & Jon on the Peaky Blinders ale. We ate rustic wholemeal bread with olives and extra virgin olive oil from Crete (one of the birthday presents I'd bought Jon). Al & Jon manhandled the old washing machine into the back of the car ready for depositing at the council tip some time next week while Liz and I braved the Kinky shed as she'd seen a 1960s olive green hat in there months ago and decided that she couldn't live without it.


Birthday gifts! A vintage metal box file filled with craft ale & Al's home brew, masses of sweets (and, if you know Jon, you won't be surprised to learn that several packets have already been demolished) and a vintage tobacco tin - snaffled & in use.


After they'd left we stripped off and prostrated ourselves on the lawn for the rest of the day, indulging in an ice cold citrus birthday beer at sundown. The vets called to say that Stephen's thyroid was in need of treatment and that a month's supply of tablets would be ready for collection at the surgery from 8.30am the following morning. He'd be reassessed in a month.


We ate pizza and salad (with homegrown basil and Oriental mixed leaves from the garden). Later we drank rum, watched Gardener's World and the first part of a documentary on Fidel Castro on the BBC i-player. Before bed I immersed half the houseplants in the bath to soak overnight.


We were woken at 6.30am by a phone call from the Argos delivery driver, letting us know that the washing machine would be with us within the next ten or so minutes. Jon got up and, true to their word, the delivery arrived shortly afterwards. After the washing machine was safely deposited in the kitchen, Jon made mugs of tea, brought them back to bed where we read until 8am. I finished the book I'd started on Thursday.


I stripped & changed the bed and swapped the houseplants over while Jon made coffee. After he was dressed he drove to the vet's surgery to collect Stephen's prescription whilst I caught up with blogland. We ate breakfast on when he got back.


It was another lovely hot and mostly sunny day.


Following Monty's advice on the previous evening's Gardener's World I deadheaded the buddleia whilst Jon plumbed in the washing machine and ran an empty spin cycle as the instruction manual suggested.

WEARING: Vintage Indian block-printed skirt by Interlinks, 1970s Slix bikini, Afghan Kuchi earrings (all eBay)

While I loaded the machine with the bed linen to try out the daily 40°C wash, Jon mulched the buddleia trimmings and added them to Jacob's enclosure.


I'm impressed by the machine's performance so far, the spin cycle is brilliant and its so quiet compared to our last one, I did an eco-wash after I'd pegged the first load out on the line. Despite the machine being a slightly smaller capacity to our previous one six tee shirts, a pair of shorts, a kaftan, my exercise leggings, twelve pairs of pants and three pairs of socks easily fitted in the drum.


The weekly liquid seaweed feed was a couple of days overdue so Jon cracked on with it and I finished the rest.




What's new? Calendula and cornflowers grown from seed, sproutings from the French dwarf beans I'd planted in pots last week, lots more tomatoes and a cucumber as well as masses of ripening blackberries, cooking apples and damsons. The pansies & hydrangeas are still going strong, the house leeks are reproducing and the delphinium I cut back after flowering looks like it's about to bloom again (thanks, Monty!)


The rest of the day was spent lounging on the lawn with my latest read. Eurgh! Naked nails. I'll paint them later.


As we'd not eaten since breakfast, we demolished tea in minutes - a buffet of spelt bread, cheeses, pickles, olive oil and crisps. Afterwards we sat outside drinking tea before giving the patio plants another watering, removing the remaining houseplants for their long soak in the bath and bringing in the laundry from the line. Later we'll be watching La Dernière Vague accompanied by a cheeky rum or two. 

Stay safe & see you soon!

56 comments:

  1. Your hair pinned up to frame the dainty earrings and necklace is an elegant match for the cool blue sundress and clogs and vintage designer sunglasses, Vix. Only two lengths work for me in the heat and humidity of the Midwest: a short bob or long-enough-to-pin-up. (Of course, there's Jon's solution to the challenge, but few women besides Bjork have pulled it off.)
    Good luck persuading Mr. Squirrel to take pills! Aside from the usual dietary restrictions, my care for aging cats with thyroid issues was to have the Rx made up as a liquid by an apothecary. It was worth the extra cost to be able to squirt the dose into a bit of wet food and be done with it.

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    1. Thanks so much, Beth! I really struggle with pinning my hair up, sometimes - like Friday - it goes up like a dream - and other times I look like I've been dragged through a hedge backwards. I'm really happy with the surprise sunnies, they're so comfy.
      I'd love to be one of those women who can look gorgeous with a shaved head.
      Disco, Liz & Al's cat, has the liquid on her food but she's an only cat. Stephen is brilliant at taking tablets (or rather Jon is an excellent administrator of them!) xxx

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  2. Love the new earrings and thanks for the link, I will be shopping for some myself soon. I do love that skirt, it's really pretty. I don't know how you get so many books read in a week! I am a slow reader. Jon's birthday goodies look great and I am partial to the odd tin of g&t myself (on the train ride home from my brighton trips!) Your garden is really looking amazing - I love Monty (and his dogs!) Hope Frank perks up -as I know only too well with Amber's last year, when they get old they do get fragile and we get more aware of every precious day with our furry friends. Betty x

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    1. I hope there's some earrings left for you, I'm really pleased with mine.
      The Interlinks skirt looks very much like yours, the print is very similar, isn't it?
      You can't beat a tin of G&T when you're out and about.
      Our cats are so important to us and a constant source of worry. Frank seems to be almost back to normal, a lot more relaxed and happy and Stephen's still running around like a lunatic but taking his tablets like a good boy. xxx

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  3. Just been in the garden imbibing beer with neighbours! We've not been having your heatwaves but today was glorious! My old washing machine broke down in January, thank goodness!, so the new one was installed before lockdown. In my previous life, my partner had an organic small holding where I was gofer (and wage-earner) and Gardener's World was mandatory. When I began my new life, I rejected the old. It is only since lockdown I've become a born-again watcher (I know you all love Monty but he's not a patch on Geoff Hamilton). I don't grow veg because I don't eat them (I know!) but flowers and herbs are a must! Glad you, Jon, cats and garden are flourishing.

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    1. You can't beat an al fresco drink with the neighbours. There does seem to be a huge North-South divide with the temperatures at the moment, we're expecting 30°C later although it's very grey and gloomy at the moment.
      You've done some very interesting things, Catmac. I do vaguely remember Geoff Hamilton. They showed a clip of him talking to the originator or the No-Dig method the other week, didn't they? xxx

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    2. He was a lovely man and, yes, he did much to spread the word re the no-dig method (which my partner used). Weather here still iffy as the rest of Europe enjoy a heatwave!

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  4. Glad that Jon could go with the lads to see the doctors! Our boy was met by the Vet Tech in the parking lot, discuss the symptoms and a note pinned to the collar! He looked at us like we were abandoning him. Glad that he's almost got a clear bill of health.

    I'm surprised that Jon is a sweets man. You never mention cakes, chocolate, etc. And there it is a birthday haul

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    1. Your poor boy. We had to do the same when Frank was suffering with his teeth, it felt awful.
      Jon absolutely loves sweets, crisps & biscuits. He has to be rationed or he'd eat the lot! xxx

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  5. Oh, I'm glad Frank is okay, and that Stephen is being looked after! Yes, the little dears do cost us dearly, but they are worth it! I'm really happy that Jon was able to go in with them to help calm them.

    More birthday goodies for Jon! Woo! A tobacco tin?? but whatever are you using it for? (heh heh). I love Dolly mix - we can get it here at specialty candy shops. Love your new Dior sunnies, Vix! They look smashing on you, and you look so very elegant with your hair pinned up.

    Jalapeno cheddar crisps are my favourite flavour - jalapeno anything! Hope you are having a lovely weekend and enjoying many cheeky rums!

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    1. Thanks, Sheila! They are a worry but they're worth every penny.
      There were a few more sweets crammed in the tobacco tin but Jon's decided to use it for the original purpose - filthy habit!
      Those sunnies are so lovely to wear, I must ration their use, I'm not used to having such posh labels.
      Love jalapenos! xxx

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  6. Have you thought about taking the drum out of the old washing machine to use as a fire-pit? Sorry if you've already mentioned this and I've missed it!

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    1. Thank you! Jon made one from a washing machine that was dumped outside the house many years ago but, as we never sit around a fire at home and there's no room in the van when we go to festivals after a few years as a planter I gave it to the rag & bone man! xxx

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  7. Your garden looks glorious. Roll on summer here ❤️

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  8. That was a short comment as not sure my iPad working. Want to say I’ve missed watching all your posts. My husband had cancer for a year and life has been grim. He passed away 5 weeks ago and I am still trying to come to terms with it . 58 years married was a long time. Love to you both and your adorable cats. Hope all goes well with the thyroid.

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    1. Oh Sally, I'm so sorry to hear about your dear husband. Sending you much love. xxx

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  9. There something about sheets bring dried on clothes line.Never seen eggs with pork and beans.

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    1. You can't beat line-dried washing! Those are vegan sausages, they come in a tin with baked beans. It's quite normal here. x

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  10. 1970s sunnies are the best, look fantastic on you too. Our family dao, well she's my daughters, actually, I took her to the local vet a couple of years ago to have stitches out after being desexed. She was just too old to handle pregnancy. Wee Pixie is a tiny pomeranian-papillion, and on that visit she was banned from the vets (2nd vet to do that). I was ordered out of the vets in very angry style too. After he had stormed off back into the vets, with a most concerned heart, I looked sideways at little girl. She looked really happy and smug.

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    1. I thought you meant dog! I cringe when I revisit blogs and see the number of crazy errors I've typed in my enthusiasm!
      Pixie sounds like quite the character. xxx

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  11. Love the sunnies, Jon knows how to spoil you. You made me hungry with all those English sweeties and cheese!! So I have sent Paul out to the import shop and to the local department store we’re we can get them at a price !!! But hey we dont eat them all the time.
    It’s normally calorie mate when I want to snack on something or I digest the fat content on everything.
    I love seeing clean washing, ours hangs on small Airers thought the balconies as we are not allowed a washing line near the koi pound.
    He has been kind and helped me hobbled downstairs and to sit in a sunny spot with the AC on so I can read and watch the kids . There is some terrible authors about how the hell do they get published I never know. Take care and keep safe love and huggs

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    1. Thanks, Allie! He's not bad, is he? I'm amazed Jon hasn't demolished all those sweets yet, he did share a tube of Refreshers with me in the garden on Saturday afternoon although I wasn't sure of them with beer!
      I love the smell o line dried laundry. What a shame you're not allowed a line but you've got to think of the koi.
      I'm glad ypu're being looked after and are able to sit and read. xxx

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  12. Very glad to hear Jon could accompany the lads into the surgery, and hope the pills for Stephen make a difference. Your garden is looking fabulous - definitely th place to enjoy this current weather.

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    1. Thank you! Definitely no driving to beaches, it looked like hell on earth on the news! x

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  13. PS: re your friends who have a van in the Lakes ... have a look at this website, shows status of all car parks during the day. Which would be why we are staying away at present or slipping off to very quiet out-of-the-way places.

    https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/visiting/car-park-status

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    1. Thanks so much, Jayne. I'll pass it on! xxx

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  14. care for cats is not on the cheap side - but they give much more back!!!
    love your hairdo and the bright blue dress! and the "new" sunnies are totally fabulous! lovely garden shots too - so much yummy fruits and pretty flowers.
    "La Dernière Vague" is on german tv too now - but i´m not excited about...... but your cheese buffet is something i would came over for :-D
    xxxx

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    1. You're right and we wouldn't be without them, they provide us with hours of entertainment even when they're naughty.
      You inspired me to put mine up after seeing yours in those lovely anniversary photos on your blog.
      I didn't think I'd enjoy La Dernière Vague as much as I did. xxx

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  15. I'm worried about you padding around in that long grass practically shoeless.....ticks!!!Everytime I see the 'posh pizza' pics, I try and get one from my local Co-op but they're never on special and my Scottish tightness (!) refuses to pay the asking price. I've taken to buying pizza dough and making my own! I love Monty. If I could have a man in my life, he would be an exact replica but that's very unlikely seeing how there's not much call for bearded, toothless hags round these parts! (loves me an exclamation mark or three!!!) Have a great week,bothxxx

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    1. Ticks! I'd never even considered them. When we used to go to a festival in Hereford there were loads of signs up warning revellers of the dangers of deer ticks but I don't know if exist in the post-industrial Black Country.
      You must live in an area when the locals appreciate posh pizza, I think ours prefer the takeaway next to the Co-op hence the reason they're always reduced to clear!
      Monty is such a lovely chap, isn't he? Bearded, toothless hags? get away with you!
      Have a fabulous week! xxx

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  16. I'm glad your lads are doing well,getting their care. Your friends gifts for Jon was really spot on as he was able to enjoy immediately signs of a good gift. Thanks for a peak at Jacob.

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    1. They're a constant worry these pets of hours!
      Jacob loves his enclosure, it's getting more and more the woodland he'd naturally inhabit! xxx

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  17. Looks like a perfect birthday picnic in the sun. Glad the boys are ok - it gets expensive looking after our pensioners, Miss pops will be 14 in a few weeks.

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    1. I didn't realise Poppy was an older girl, she looks so good! xxx

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  18. They are a constant worry but give so much in return, don't they? I'm glad to hear Frank is OK - love that photo of him and Jon - and hopefully it won't be too much of a problem getting Stephen to take his meds! You're looking absolutely fab in your blue quilted bodice frock which seem to match your clogs exactly. Those Dior sunglasses are amazing! And more birthday presents for Jon, he's been quite spoiled! I cut back my delphiniums are flowering too, but nothing is happening. In fact, they are looking a bit worse for wear. I love how lush your garden is still looking in general, I'm afraid the hot days we've been having aren't to our garden's advantage. I often forget to tune in to Gardener's World, but I did on Friday. It's good to see it's not all perfect in his garden either. I love how he admitted to not keeping a strict watering regime for his toms! xxx

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    1. Never mind coronavirus, no income, no work and the will we, won't we go to Greece this year, those lads of ours will be the death of me!
      Stephen's brilliant with tablets (or should I say, Jon's brilliant at administering them?) apart from spitting the first one out he's taken the others without flinching - phew!
      That blue dress is so light & airy, it's like wearing nothing. Jon did surprise me with those sunnies, I never expected him to win them at such a good price, I'd have paid more for a pair in Topshop!
      Lots of people told me that cutting back delphiniums for a second flowering rarely works, mine must be an exception, I think them penstemon is about to do the same!
      Isn't it refreshing to know that Monty makes mistakes and has failures in his garden, too! xxxx

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  19. beer and sweets? Yes, please. I'd love to live someplace where I could hanging outside in summer. The heat index here yesterday was 102.

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    1. Jon could live off beer, sweets and the occasional mug of tea!
      We're supposed to be having temperatures between 30 - 35°C this week although the said the same for last week and it mostly hovered at around 27°C. As long as I get to spend some time in a bikini I'm happy! xxx

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  20. Happy sunny sunny Sunday Vix! You look a vision in the blue I have got used to you in the earthy tones so the blue was like wow! Love the new sunnies. We are lucky ot have thoughtful men in our lives! I hinted for a kaftan for my birthday so this morning wafted around doing housework in my new kaftan listening to my new Bowie LP my sons got me for my birthday. I had to giggle as they were transfixed with the record as of course before their time. Of course all back in now. What a wonderful morning then this afternoon me and all my magazines a cider and even the hubster(who I had to talk out of mowing the fields) all went laid under the gum tree. Even I was bikini clad(with factor on of course!) Sorry the reason I am telling you all about my day as it seemed like a real "Vix" type day and you know what it was bloody wonderful! Although I hate the reason, the fact that we are made to slow down and appreciate what we have is wonderful. Oh yeah even braved it to our tiny pub on Fri. We sat on a table outside it was for six and it was only my hubby and I all felt ok. I am sticking very very local though. Have a lovely evening and hope the feline friends are still on the mend. Shazxx

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    1. Hello, Shaz! Hasn't it been lovely? I'm hoping this cloud burns off soon and we're treated to more sunshine.
      I loved the description of your weekend, it sounded idyllic what with the kaftan & bikini, cider and even a trip to the pub. What a life! You don't realise that there's some people unaware of David Bowie, do you? He was a part of our lives.
      Blue seems to work in the sunshine here and in Greece, something about the light, I think. That dress is on the possible packing pile if we get to go to Greece next month!
      Have a lovely day! xxxx

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  21. Those are great sunnies!
    Your cucumbers are well ahead of mine, but I'm getting an idea of what they should look like. They seem to be happy growing as climbers.

    Enjoy the new washer. Anything that makes life easier is worth it.

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    1. Thanks! They're really comfortable, too - I suppose Christian Dior must have known what they're doing. I'm excited about those lemon cucumbers, I wonder how lemon-y they'll taste? xxx

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  22. Hello Vix. Glad to hear the boys are doing well and on the mend. Please give them a cuddle. You look ravishing with your hair up, lovely ear-rings, new specs and gorgeous blue dress. Wish Jon a Happy belated birthday. Your picnic in the garden is a perfect way to celebrate and what wonderful gifts! I also love the mini folding table (I must look out for one once lockdown is over). Your garden looks like it's thriving with all the loving attention it's been given. Have a great week.

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    1. Hello Suzy! Thank you! I'm hopeless at putting my hair up, it worked on Friday but I haven't been able to replicate it over the weekend!
      The vintage camping table is the perfect height for using when you're lying about in the garden or at festivals, I'm not good sitting in chairs when I'm outside! xx

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  23. I'm happy to hear that Frank and Stephen are alright and that Stephen is a great shape for his age. I hope it's not thyroid, maybe it is just stress. The cats must sense some of these madmen in the air. Your cats are lucky to have you and Jon, you're both such responsible owners. You look stunning in that blue dress paired with 1970s sunglasses Jon won for you on ebay. Such a gorgeous look! Stunning necklace and earrings as well.
    How nice you had a picnic in the garden and enjoyed your time with friends.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! These cats of ours can be a worry! I've read a lot about how pets have been affected by lockdown and getting stressed and anxious as their humans aren't following their usual routines and are at home all the time. Perhaps Stephen's weirder than usual behaviour could be down to this!
      My blue outfit is practicing my Greek wardrobe, I wear blue a lot there as it works so well with the light. xxx

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  24. Thanks, Marlene! It is a relief knowing there's a cause and a treatment, I thought it might just have been dementia. Our pets are so special to us, even more so during lockdown when they've been our constant companions, we really notice the slightest change in their behaviour.xxx

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  25. Good to hear the lads are doing well and well done for spotting Stephen's thyroid problem.
    The garden is looking better tha ever and I'm impressed your cucumbers.
    My delphiniums don't look like they'll do much more this year, you've definitely been exercising those green fingers!!
    The Dior sunglasses look fab. xxx

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    1. Thanks, Sally! Liz & Al's cat, Disco, was showing similar symptoms so it was a relief to know there was treatment for Stephen rather than he'd just gone a bit strange with old age!
      I didn't expect my delphinium to bloom again but it does look imminent. xxx

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  26. Mog also hates to be kept indoors, so I can sympathise with you having to endure the wailing from your two. I'm relieved to hear Stephen can be treated and hope you soon see a difference in him once the tablets start working. X

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    1. Aren't they terrible complainers? I was trying to do my Wii Fit with two pairs of pitiful looking eyes boring into the back of my head, not ideal for perfect yoga balance! xx

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  27. Glad to read that the vets have a treatment for Stephen and that Frank is ok!. I can imagine that your wii Fit session was not the best one ever! ;DD
    You look particularly adorable in your blue dress and fab jewellery!, it's such a mediterranean blue!, love that you're wearing some of your greek holiday wardrobe!. And it's always lovely to see you in your crochet bikinis and wrap skirts, working in your garden, Fab Photos!
    Also lovely to see you enjoying a picnic in the garden! and beer and sweets for Jon! ;DD
    besos

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  28. Glad to know Frank is fine and dandy and the vets are taking good care of Stephen.

    Your new sunnies really suit you!

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  29. Poor Stephen I feel his pain, also being old and having thyroid issues, though I don't *think* it has made me more demented than usual! It's been lovely to sit here and catch up on all your doings over the last couple of weeks.

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Lots of love, Vix