A hot afternoon celebrating the soon-to-arrive baby boy of one of my oldest friends.
Celebrating my sister’s 30th birthday; we set up a tree at the bottom of my parents' garden, let the boys jump in and out of the paddling pool and generally tried not to leave the shade whilst eating cake.
Glossing over the fact it has already been seven years(!), we celebrated our wedding anniversary at one of our favourite places – The Old Hall – made even better by the fact that we had a very generous voucher to cash in. It was so hot and we were there for a Sunday roast, but their roasts are good enough to eat in all weather. We drank cocktails sat under the trees in their courtyard garden and briefly felt like we were on holiday.
A trip to Willow’s Farm with old friends and all the kids; joyous chaos.
A summer holiday in Center Parcs; just as much fun as our mini break last September. We really are converts.
Regular swims at our local outdoor pool. There’s just something so summery and lovely about being in an outdoor pool in the sunshine and then heading to the coffeeshop, damp skin drying in the heat, for something iced and refreshing.
Speaking of which, really got into iced chai lattes this summer. Shouldn’t work but absolutely does.
A day trip to Norfolk to meet friends who were holidaying there; we spent the day in Pensthorpe before having burgers in a wildflower meadow at Fat Cow.
Peonies! Hydrangeas! Perfect pink roses!
Picnics every week, always at the weekend, sometimes during the week and – the best – post-nursery pick-up; an early dinner in the park with the boys running up and down the hills.
Watering the garden with a watering can instead of the hosepipe; initially due to the ban but it became somewhat of a mindful activity. A lesson in slowing down.
Taking our eldest on a day trip to London. We went on the London Eye, out for lunch and to the London Aquarium. When asked about his favourite bit, he said the trains and the underground.
Day trips into Cambridge with my sister, browsing prams and baby clothes (her pregnancy, not mine).
A visit to the local farm; a picnic under the shade of a tree and the absolute chaos of stopping a 17-month-old chasing a goat.
The garden being the main ‘room’ in the house, the default place to be, play, eat. Watching the planes flying overhead, blowing bubbles, the boys riding around in circles on the balance bikes.
Ice cream, picky bits, freshly grown courgettes, tomatoes, green beans from my parents’ allotment: summer diet.
Trips to Anglesey Abbey who put on great things for kids during the summer; watching the kids and their second cousins playing in the big sandpit and putting on a show on the makeshift shade, complete with pirate and butterfly costumes.
Meeting the baby boy of the aforementioned baby shower; baby cuddles whilst eating crepes and chatting in the sunshine.
A new bench for the garden, just outside the back door, where I sat every lunch break on working days with my lunch and book; a moment of calm amongst it all.
Watching sunsets over the fens from my parents’ balcony.
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