Alright, so we knew it would be stressful...

...but it is taking it's toll. The girls are unruly, ill-mannered and don't know what bed they'll be sleeping in from one night to the next and Rob and I are like a pair of pressure cookers waiting to blow but keeping those lids firmly on. What's happened this week? We spent a couple of very happy days at Helen and George's in Surrey. They have moved from Clapham to a very large house in a private wooded and gated community in Walton on Thames. There are some amazing homes, with vast gardens all surrounded by woods with a lake and accompanying wildlife. Their garden is large enough for cousin William to indulge his love of football with a set of full size goalposts. We spent a very happy morning at William and Libby's school sports day, spotting a former pop star and professional footballer among the parents. On Friday we headed northeast to Suffolk to the lovely country home of Rick and Justin, they of the extraordinary kitchen garden and stunning surrounds. We are always made so welcome there, and great food and wine are in abundance. We chose this weekend because it was the date of the Hargrave village bbq, initiated by Justin 4 years ago and whole-heartedly embraced by the village of 200. Rob and Scarlett (who has become quite the country girl - is absorbing books of trees and loves feeding Justin's pigs in the woods) went along to help set up hay bales and tents while Flo and I ferried Rick between butchers and brewery in the beautiful country town of Bury St Edmunds. We all arrived home at about the same time, except that in the interim - it was the hay bale your honour - Rob slipped a disc and was in agony and totally immobile for 24 hours in the bed upstairs. The next day his pain was so bad he was shaking and in shock and I had to call 999. An excellent NHS paramedic was dispatched quicksticks with powerful drugs that sorted Rob until Rick's local GP was able to administer stronger drugs and valium the following day. We have our boy back on his feet at least and though he is moving slowly he is mobile again. Scarlett had a taster day at a local school this week and loved it. They assessed her and have offered her a place for September. The school has amazing grounds, as well as a sister school in France they go to for trips. In other news - we won the lottery - a massive 10 pounds. Things are looking up. We are in Hastings for a few more days until we head back to Helen's and then have 2 weeks back at the seaside, house-sitting for Maggie and Popi while they are in Corsica.