Four o'clock?

This - the four o'clock plant - is getting later and later.  Hence the dark shot of it.  Still, it is rather striking (if a little blurry here) and has survived very tough treatment as it is growing right next to our dormant building site.

Normality returned with a gentle bump today: the holiday washing and ironing is done, the fridge restocked and a new tough i-pad-lite routine installed for the kids.  As a result there was a gratifying increase in playing outdoors and 'other stuff' (making an airfix model and a wooden car).

Finally, and a little later than planned, all the stuff for school is ordered.  In the UK the stress was getting the uniform, here it is making sure the kids have the correct stationery (otherwise it is sent back home with a firmly worded note).  TallGirl is horrified to learn that I intend to make a fuss at the school about the stamps included on the list - given that they send my (always incorrect) invoices by email.

Cool weather.  Very nice.  More of that please (don't tell my neighbours I said that).