July

July was a big month for taking photographs. On the first day I was commissioned to photograph the neighbours dog before it was disposed of.

Two days later we made another visit to Sawley Marina. This time we set off in the opposite direction along the Trent in the direction of Shardlow.

At one point across the river was an amazing bridge built solely for pedestrians. Towards the end of the walk we went through a field of waving grass and came to a pub which had a enormous collection of mugs.

After lunch we went to visit Melbourne Hall Gardens. Last year we took a walk from there and the hall was covered in a huge tent as restoration work took place.

The gardens are large and include stables, paddocks and a tennis court. It is occupied and we spied children of the owner playing on their private lawn. The gardens are fascinating with various areas, ponds and lots of colour.

On Saturday we visited Nan in her nursing home and took her outside to see the new baby.

For some unknown reason we took the bus into Nottingham. I think that we had decided to visit the castle. To be honest it does not look much like a castle. The gardens are colourful and there was evidence of the recent 'Armed Forces Day'.

From the castle walls we could see Trent Bridge cricket ground. This was the first day of the 2013 test match and the flood lights were already on.

We could also see one of the oldest buildings in the city.

We walked down to a pub called 'Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem'. Reputedly the oldest in Britain. It is partly built into rock on which the castle is built. It would have been a good place for a full meal, but not for the snack that we wanted and so we went into the city.

On the 14th it was a good allotment day when the fruits of our labours were ready to pick. It was a brilliant year for fruit.

Back in the garden the new summer house had been decorated and for many weeks we were able to eat in it.

Then followed a very different day. Lawence drove me up to York. The object was to visit the National Railway Museum. The museum was hosting 'The Great Gathering'. They were celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the achievement of the, still standing, record for the fastest steam engine, namely, 'Mallard'. It and other A4 engines from around the world had been gathered in one place. It was very busy, but it was a fantastic occasion.

On the 20th we held a party for family and friends. There were no presents and no speeches and no point to it.

A guest enjoying a joke

Our next outing was to Hassop Station. From there we walked along the abandoned railway track through the recently opened railway tunnels as far as Monsal Head.

Once again we commented on this
year's proliferation of wild flowers

 On the following Saturday, having visited Nan in her home, we were invited for coffee at Irene's brother Martin's house where we spent a good time with him, his wife Penny and daughter Scarlet. 

We held a 'Flowers' 'Tea and Talk' at Leicester House. For some reason I took my Fez and for some reason Paul thought that he could do a Tommy Trinder impersonation.

The reason I had my fez was that I wore my flower shirt. Oh! the fez was a plant pot.

The month ended with a very expensive drain repair. This involved a father and son team threading a resin soaked fibre glass tube from our neighbours drain into the garage. So far we have no rat sounds under the floor. Job well done.