Things we've done in the past few days -

Attended a wedding in Exeter. Odd to think of a South African marrying a German in England. As I grow older I am struck by the strange twists and turns life takes. Death and divorce and love and happiness all mixed up. It all seemed so uncomplicated when we were younger.

Was rather taken aback by one of the wedding hymns - Lord of the Dance. It starts off very jolly - stuff about dancing with the sun and curing the lame - and then the lyrics suddenly turn to whipping and stripping and hanging while the tune stays determinedly upbeat. Bobby and I came very close to getting the giggles during this; were reassured to learn that our friends had a similar reaction to the hymn.

Had my parents to stay with us for a few days. Realised our housekeeping standards may not be up to scratch when my dad said plaintively, "It's hard to brush your teeth in the dark ... Shall we go and buy a lightbulb for the bathroom?".

Was surprised and impressed when Stephen asked my dad to help him invest some of his summer earnings on the stockmarket. His plan is to make enough money to buy a car when he turns 18. My dad is thrilled since stocks and shares are his passion; the two of them spent hours at the computer deciding what to buy.

Visited a local wine estate. Wasn't terribly impressed with the wine (the ones we tasted were overpriced and not all that nice) but it made a pleasant day out anyway.

Picked masses of blackberries from the top of the Hill. Blackberries warm from the sun are amazingly delicious. And the possibility of getting prickled, either by the berry thorns or by the nettles which grow amongst them, enhances the experience by adding a slight (very slight) edge of danger.

Used some of the blackberries, and apples from our garden, to make an apple and blackberry crumble. Very yummy. Kids hate it though.

Made blackberry jam out of the rest of the berries. Amazingly, it worked perfectly!

I am ridiculously proud of the above two items.

Had friends spend the night here last night; remembered to give them a candle when they went to bed so that they would be able to see to brush their teeth.

Became hopeless addicted to sudoku puzzles. I realise everyone else discovered these years and years ago, but they are new to me, and they are so much fun! Sophie is doing one next to me right now; I am not sure she is enjoying it, though, as she is literally tearing at her hair as she does battle with it. Ems is off with yet another friend today so I hope I will be able to keep Soph amused; she is happy at the moment but was feeling a bit blue earlier (well, actually sobbing on her bedroom floor about the "hideous unfairness" of life) because all her friends are incommunicado today.