The Tiger who came to Tea (or rather who stayed the night)

I got up earlier than usual, because grand daughter Rose who is always known as Tiger, is staying with me.  It is the first time ever that T has stayed away without her mum,  though she is six. We had breakfast and then we did cooking. My new kitchen is a good place to cook. Grand daughter F, partner R and baby Arthur are coming to stay tomorrow. 
I made bread in Diana Lewis`s bread tins She is well over ninety and she has decided to go into a Home,so she asked me if there was anything I would like, so I chose the tins They are well seasoned after a lifetime of use and I am very pleased with them.  After the cooking, Tiger cleaned every available surface with a wet cloth and a bowl of soapy water, so it was all very enjoyable for us both.
Last night, daughter J and six of her friends came round for supper and we all played games, they call it impro. I am sometimes too shy to join in but  I love it and we all had such laughs.It has been scientifically proven that having a good laugh is very good for your health.
Last week I went back to Winchester for a few days and it felt fine. It was lovely to see everybody but good to come home to Ditchling too.   

Yesterday was grand daughter M`s eighteenth birthday. It is such a landmark.  I remember her birth in the Royal Free in London as if it was yesterday. J and I wandered on Hampstead Heath and had a swim in the Ladies Pond, the day before. It was green and murky but lovely as it was a hot, hot day. Then we went to a concert at a church in Baker Street and it was the first time I had heard Taverner`s music and I cried.  We had a good celebration yesterday with a slap up tea (J`s sumptuous meringues) and champagne. Her exams start on Friday.
I tried really hard to be a proper bus travelling old age pensioner today. I was going to lunch with R in Lewes and jumped on the 824 flashing my free pass, but instead of Lewes it took me to Burgess Hill, in the opposite direction.   Apparently it only goes to Lewes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I have never got the hang of bus timetables.So I eventually arrived very late by car.   I must try to improve. 
Tomorrow `the Lads`are coming, my three old bachelor friends.  We all used to meet at Music summer school in Oxford, year after year, and also play Schubert`s Trout quintet on New Years Day. Friend K is coming too so it will be quite a party.  I am just going to make a cake.

Idling at the Blue Idol

I went on a day retreat at the Blue Idol. It is an ancient Quaker Meeting House in Coolham in Sussex It is a strange name for a MH, but one theory is that it was once painted blue and also it was idle ie unoccupied for a few years way back in the 17th century.   It is beautiful and peaceful, and just the place for me to be idle in. The day was organised by the Ditchling Quakers and there was the usual delicious bring and share lunch, so we were well quiched in true Q tradition. We did some walking meditation round the garden. The grasss was a bit bumpy, but I did not fall over, always a hazard with your eyes shut.
I also tried to write a bit  about change and moving house.  It is the little things I notice more, and the familiar objects that I have either lost or deliberately left behind like the old saucepan I boiled my breakfast egg in. I get phone calls, texts, emails and cards from all my old friends so I still feel in touch with them.   E rang to say that it was very odd without the cat in the Meeting House in Winchester.