Catch up, October.

I have got really out of the habit of my blog, but I'm away in France, visiting friends, and I have time to catch my breath and spend time reflecting and recording. First, why I haven't kept writing: I think I lost interest a bit, and it became a chore rather than something I do for my own pleasure. I have never cared much whether anyone reads what I write, but the act of writing encourages reflection and enhances memories. Also, I have been extremely busy and usually too tired by evening to do much but flop.

The reason for the hard work is that suitable new premises suddenly became available for youngest son's fancy dress shop. It is very well positioned and has excellent windows, and really rather good shop fittings. So all that was good. We did have to get a joiner in to build some changing cubicles, and a locksmith as one of the double doors wouldn't open, and a plumber to fit the washing machine, and such like. But the only problem was that it was extremely dirty. Luckily August is a quiet time in the fancy dress trade, so Phil, Dan and I turned to, and scrubbed and cleaned, and second son and his lovely wife painted, and between us all we got the place clean, fresh, and, although I say so myself, looking great. And can I recommend Barkeeper's Friend for brass and Sticky Stuff remover as sold in John Lewis? They are amazing. And if you want to see the result:

http://www.themagicmirror.co.uk/

The new shop isn't quite as big as the old one, so Dan had to cull the hire costumes. It hurt him, but a lot of old uniforms went to be sold, as they won't wash, and anyway,  rather few modern people have sufficiently narrow shoulders and waists, even if they are not too tall.  He also decided that he really didn't need two pantomime horses, and then, in accordance with Sod's Law, the third customer across the threshold of the newly opened shop wanted - guess what? - two pantomime horses. Dan managed to convince them to have a pantomime horse and a pantomime cow.

Anyway after hours of work, seven days a week, the shop opened and we went immediately into the university freshers’ fair, which nowadays involves themed fancy dress parties, so Dan was still working seven days a week, and our contribution was to look after Atlas, who was not able to go to the students' union. He is getting really good at the agility course, or the dog adventure playground as we consider it. He really can jump, thoroughly enjoys walking the beam and going over the seesaw, comes through the tunnels like a rocket, but can't see the point of threading through the poles, and has to be lured through with a treat in front of his nose.

We took the grandsons to the Lakes but also the dog, because Dan was still so busy. We enjoyed ourselves although the weather wasn't great.

Ullswater

Eden Valley

 It was better if we went west into Northumberland, so we discovered the Eden Valley, which is lovely and went to Vindolanda, which is excellent. A lot has happened since we last went with our children and a lot more of the vicus has been excavated, and the museum was well themed and displayed. We also went rock climbing, with a good instructor. Thomas turned out to be quite good at it, Marc was nervous, and I don't have a decent power to weight ratio. I was quite pleased with myself, when I got to the top, because it was much, much harder than a climbing wall. But I was less pleased with the photos Marc took. As Phil was off with Atlas, Marc was in charge of the camera, and as he was below me, his photos mainly consisted of an enormous bottom, outlined with climbing harness as emphasis.

Long Meg and her Daughters stone circle, Cumbria

Then when the shop was open and going rather well, Dan completed on the house he is buying. We knew the previous owners smoked and had a dog, so we sort of knew it didn't smell good, but went we went to see it all the windows and doors were open and it was OK. Once it was empty and closed up we realised the extent of the problem. Poor Dan said he lay awake all night thinking he had made a terrible mistake. But the next day, Phil took up the living room carpet and took it to the tip, and I started to wash walls, celings, inside cupboards, light fittings and in fact everything I could see. So we’re half way towards the house being as nice as we thought it could be when Dan bought it, but had to break off for our trip to France which was actually well timed, as it enforced a rest.

We had a lovely time with our friends, who live not far from Orange. There’s one little hilltop town after another, where the Gallo-Romans retreated as the barbarians swept in, and they are all charming. There’s some great wine, too. I have extremely happy memories of a bottle of Gigondas at the restaurant we ate at in Fontaine de Vaucluse. We had a lot of sunshine, too.

Fontaine de Vaucluse

The sausage stall, St Cecile des Vignes

I also had time to read. We recently went to see the Oresteia at The Globe. Clytemnestra was wonderful. Not quite so sure about the way they managed the chorus. But it pushed me into reading Barry Unsworth’s  “Songs of the Kings”, about the sacrifice of Iphigenia. It’s wonderful – slyly commenting on modern politics. I do hope Tony Blair ends up at The Hague – it’s the one policy of Jeremy Corbyn, the new Labour leader, that I am wholly in favour of. 

Anyway, we got back to England rested and ready to get stuck in again. Autumn is definitely well under way.