Hot hot hot

Weather warnings again today and boy it is hot.  I was very grateful that I wasn't going anywhere or doing anything specific today.   Kenny is in the menders and John had organised to go on a bike ride with Richard - crazy fools.  They were planning on cycling to Fitos and stopping for some light lunch then cycling back.  Whilst John was sorting his bike out I was filling up the water bowls in the garden and my little pond.  It is amazing to think that in the winter there was a disk of ice a centimeter thick on the top on a couple of occasions!  I thought I had lost all the fish but eventually we spotted two big and two small fish in there and today I spotted about 20 tiny little babies!  I don't know if they will survive - I hope so.

While John was out I took the opportunity to do a quick bit of art.  The current challenge which started yesterday was anything to do with horses so I decided to do a horseshoe.  This isn't finished but at least I have got something on the go.  It is getting harder and harder to think of themes that will inspire and inspire both photographers and artists alike.  I have done nearly 100 challenges since the group started and have tried not to repeat anything although some have been pretty similar.

I got news that John and Richard had made it to Fitos unscathed which was a relief.  We had got Richard to leave his ignition keys in his flatbed truck just in case a disaster befell them and I needed to shoot out and collect them and their bikes.  John had been uncertain about whether or not he had a very slow puncture in his front tyre - as it happens he didn't which is good and I didn't have to go get them.  John had chosen a route which avoided the main road - it is a route we generally walk which is fine for feet and bikes but not so good for vehicles and definitely not for our Mrs Kirby which is still new enough to us to be super precious about her!

John was hot, sweaty and knackered on his return but not so knackered that he didn't take time out to wash the PV panels.  We are due an electricity bill and have read about some right horror stories so we want them to be as efficient as possible.  Normally John rings in he readings (if he can get someone to answer the phone) but I had read about an Electricity Board What'sApp group which allows you to text the information.  I was a bit skeptical but I text and got a reply so we shall see if the bill arrives in due course.

We got to speak to George and Pam today which was lovely.  They have certainly been through it over the past few years so we have everything crossed that they will be back out here again soon so that they get to see first hand the work which they have had done to their home.

We were having a light supper tonight because John had eaten a kebab in pitta for lunch.  I had some mince in the fridge which I turned into spicy dry fried Asian chili beef which included mange tout peas, red peppers and chilis served on a bed of noodles.  It was absolutely delicious - there is a small amount left which we will have tomorrow along with maybe some chicken satay.

Whilst sat outside having our supper there was the tell-tale evidence that we had a visitor in the vine so I managed to locate it and removed it with some vine leaves and put in the field next door.  This caterpillar has changed from green to brown so will soon be ready to pupate anyway.