Alas Poor Yorick (again).......

 
The apples on our tree are definitely ready to pick now. Unfortunately like previous years some of them have a rotten core, although the majority of each piece is delicious. So these apples never go into the fruit bowl they have to be chopped and frozen and cooked with.

You may also remember that apart from having a slightly smaller freezer than I used to have, I've also just filled a whole drawer with prepped plums!

One little idea I had was an experiment and only used up one apple which was added to with four slices of bread (rolled flat, buttered and sprinkled with cinnamon) and another sprinkle of sugar on top of the buttered outside. 

So easy just 15 minutes in the air-fryer at 180° and they were crispy and yummy. 

I didn't mention it last week as it was my happy week, but sadly our pond has been completely cleared of every fish! There seemed to be about 30/40 or more little ones from gold through yellow and grey to black and we've had them for years and protected them from the heron with a full edge to edge net! There isn't one left now! One of our neighbours has also lost his, just a few but expensive large carp. He told Hubby it was a fox!!!

I've eaten the first two cob nuts from our gifted cob tree that the squirrels or birds must have planted for us. I only thought of taking a photo when I went to throw the shells away. 

Sunday we had a family gathering for my birthday as this was the first chance of everyone being available. R is performing in Hamlet five nights a week of course plus Daughter and O have been at Kentwell for nearly two weeks and E had left there just a couple of days ago. Because Daughter and O wouldn't arrive till late we ruled out a BBQ and decided on Chinese take away.  The last time we did that Daughter did the whole order on Just Eat and it took more than two hours to arrive with no means of checking on them and when it arrived two items were missing. So this time Hubby said he'd use our reliable method of phoning the restaurant direct. 

I sent a link to the menu on Friday as I knew our Tudors would have limited time to choose. M, R, Son and fiancé all arrived with plenty of time and we all chose lots and listed it all out and Hubby was ready with our favourite Happy Star menu and gave them a ring......

Their recorded message stated they were closed for six weeks due to a new baby arrival ahhhh.

Two other leaflets in our drawer were for places that no longer exist. Then hearing from Daughter that they were now leaving Kentwell we needed to make a decision and get our food ordered, so we chose our nearest Chinese takeaway where we had no menu so Hubby and Son drove round so on the spot changes could be made to the list of choices if that takeaway didn't do them. This one doesn't deliver so an hour later as arranged they went back to collect arriving home at the same time as Daughter and O arrived! Phew!

Daughter had been working with the glass blowers for the week so my late birthday gift was this beautiful jug, blown by Tim and assisted by Daughter who also made and applied the handle. How lucky am I. 

Monday after coffee morning Daughter arrived, looking a lot less tired, to unload her car into our garage roof space and remove the top box. 

Late afternoon Hubby and I had been invited to friendM's for a BBQ

I wanted a photo of us all which friendM(our hostess took) so I took a photo of her. 

We were lucky with the weather not getting too chilly till after we'd eaten. 

Hubby had been concerned over recent years that our main guest bedroom had the double against the wall which must prove awkward now we are all getting older and often need the bathroom in the night, when one partner has to climb over the other and then climb back again. 

We had guests coming Wednesday, so Tuesday I cleared all the stuff that's been on the desk and under the desk for years. 

Hubby had been out for lunch with past work friends and when he was home again (and had a little nap in the chair) we went up and he dismantled the whole workstation which really wasn't easy. Then we rearranged furniture to give access both sides of the bed. 

Our guests this time was my sisterS and bilK. We had invited them to see Hamlet and sleepover as one of the lead actors happened to be the grown up that sisterS had taught in reception class of primary school, she had taught his two siblings as well. They live and the school are all in Twickenham and the reunion was happening in Suffolk! R had said we were coming and the other actor was excited to meet his old teacher again. 

We enjoyed a really good pub meal first, then for my third visit and Hubby's second we took them to Sutton Hoo. R and Hamlet himself were on front desk and happily obliged when sisterS wanted a photo with them. As we approached the actual theatre area the actor was waiting outside and gave her a very warm welcome and they had enough time for a good catchup chat. S&K both really enjoyed the play (K didn't think he would) and R popped out afterwards to say goodnight to us. 

Up Thursday after our very late night, cos we kept chatting. Leisurely breakfast and they headed for home by 11am.

Good news later that day from Daughter that O got good grades for his GCSEs and had completed his enrolment in college. 

So it's been a busy couple of weeks and all these visitors mean more housework too (I need that incentive). No hectic plans for this weekend though.

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