Sociable

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 We have been social butterflies this week. On Tuesday Denise and Doug came for lunch. It was their cats which Nicky had been feeding last weekend while they were away. The mystery of why Denise and not been returning Nicky’s call’s and text’s was resolved. Denise had accidentally blocked Nicky’s number on her phone. Denise was very apologetic and presented us with a lovely PNG/Australian vine “Wonga Wonga”. Dale and Bob were also planning to join us for lunch but Dale had a migraine on Monday and then one of their much loved dogs became very ill on Tuesday. We still managed to enjoy ourselves, and the gluten free ciabatta rolls which Nicky had made.


On Friday evening Krystyna and Mark came over for dinner. I served Boston beans with walnut bread, which went down well (it’s the creaminess of the mascarpone that does it). For dessert I prepared a Mary Berry Express Apple and Pear pie. We have started watching her “Makes it easy” series on TV, and the dish took our eye. My version wasn’t quite as express has Mary’s, because I made my own lemon curd on Thursday, and my own flaky pastry for the base. It came out really well and like the rest of the evening, we thoroughly enjoyed it.


We quizzed on Wednesday and came first with 93 points. Our team was at full strength with Danny and John back, and occasional members Dario and Melinda joining us. John was disappointed to have missed out on the second pumpkin pie which I had made, so we invited him over for a cuppa on Thursday, as he would be grass cutting near us. I made some sultana scones as compensation and they went well under a good dollop of lemon curd. We think he’ll visit again.


While Nicky was driving down the road on Wednesday, she spotted this new letter box:



We do appreciate unusual or amusing designs for people’s letter boxes and point out our enjoyment of the quirky.


We had a FaceTime call with Jancis on Tuesday morning, and though her health continues to be challenging, we thought she was looking well. I helped Bob the Bosun with some coal for the boat on Tuesday, prior to our Wednesday sailing. We have also sailed twice this weekend and managed not to get rained on, which is very pleasing as we have had quite a bit of the wet stuff this week.


Our TV viewing has been primarily re-watching the three Fantastic Beasts films. Nicky had been listening to an audiobook by the actor Don Fogle who played Jacob Kowalski, the Muggle baker, so fancied seeing the films again.


The spring weather has brought sun and rain, and along with that some lovely skies. This was the sunset on Thursday:




Take care, Rick and Nicky.

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