England is currently in the grip of a heatwave, and I am loving it.





We went to the beach on Sunday; a place called Birling's Gap, at Beachy Head. It's very pretty, because it's right under the cliffs, is only about 90 minutes away from here, and is fun for the kids, because there are rock pools to explore ...





... as well as a bay to swim in. I am becoming sort of reconciled to pebbly beaches after discovering that they do have at least one advantage, in that you don't get that sandy itchy scratchy feeling after you've swum. But, ouch, if you try walking without shoes.

Here's a view of the beach from above.





After we'd cooled off we went for a walk along the cliffs.





And then had ice-creams. A really nice day.

We missed Steve; he didn't come with us because he is working at the corner-store - the one where he does his paper-round - till the end of this month. He is working very hard, and will clear more money than I do at the end of the month. We don't see much of him at the moment; when he's not working, he's climbing. He is becoming very adult very fast.

I am enjoying the silence right now; we have had a house-guest this past week, and, even though he has been terribly helpful and so on, it is nice to be all alone for a bit, without any pressure to entertain or amuse or feed anyone.