It’s quiet & a little depressing with Zoe & Irene away. They’re such lively, cheerful, helpful kids (one’s v. cheerful; one’s v helpful!) Luckily, the psychology of missing people or things: you inevitably miss them infinitesimally less each day.
Talked to the girls who’ve been on a most extravagant jewellery, clothes & shoes shopping trip, all “free.” Roy’s missing them, & now talks to ME as I am Irene.
V quiet w/o the girls, though Roy says this is the holiday he has always wanted–to stay home, relax, & catch up with projects. I went last night to the Alliance Francaise’s summer French conversation classes, & really enjoyed my increased fluency.
At 10 p.m.–2.30 a.m. in India–our phone & mobiles had texts, “Call NOW. We are missing you.” Irene after 3 hectic days was homesick & tearful. “You said I would be “debounced.” I am. Why did you send me away purposely?”
Went with Roy for a lovely refreshing walk in Toot Baldon (the next village from us) along public footpaths, despite various locals telling us A) that the paths were mucky, B) that there were biting flies, C) that the cows had calved, and would chase us.
Played an invigorating & fun game of tennis with Roy at Esporta. If Zoe was here, she’d say, “Mum, you had tennis COACHING with Dad. Dad so HUMOURS you.” (Roy’s v. good at tennis). The new boxing punchbags in the gym looked like so much fun, so I’ve got an appt. with a personal trainer to learn.
Great! Heathrow starts screening incoming passengers for swine flu today, & my girls return from India tomorrow. They have, miraculously, been well for 8 days in India, but will they pick up a sniffle or SF itself en-route home? I’m not going to worry!
Roy & I explored the 1160 A.D. St Mary’s Church, Garsington–our village–on a hilltop with great views across the Thames Valley, the Wittenham Clumps, and the Iron Age hill-fort. The wedding scene in “Amazing Grace” was filmed here.
Anita Mathiascelebrated the girls’ return with a salad from a book I am reading with much interest and enjoyment–Helen Nearing’s “Simple Food for the Good Life.” It was lettuce and fresh dandelion leaves salad. Irene said, “MUM, I am so HUMILIATED! I am not a RABBIT.
Zoe & Irene returned from India yesterday on business class, watching movies all night. They had a fab time, minus some faux-pases (I forget to tell them of the Indian custom of addressing adults as Uncle & Aunty, and they called everyone by their first name, even the octogenarians!!
The little patch of nasturtiums and sunflowers that Irene planted on a whim on Easter Sunday around our purple buddleia is now the brightest spot in the garden. The sunflowers are huge and glorious. It’s amazing how much beauty one can create with a few seeds!
Whirlwind summer. Irene did a fab camp at our church, St. Aldate’s. Zoe’s in a Shakespeare & drama workshop at the Oxford Playhouse. Our huge lovely conservatory is almost built! A week of day trips, then Zoe camps in Somerset with friends at Soul Survivor!