Physic garden

Today's main anticipated event was the publication of TallGirl's result which I had spotted a few days ago was going to be at 10am and not the previously advertised 2pm. So I was able to wake her with some good news.

Though later it turned out that the entirely predictable failure of the school to tell the exam board which kids were entitled to the extra marks for Latin has an unfortunate consequence for her friend (though it makes no material difference to TallGirl). Obviously no-one was at school to deal with the irate (trained marksman, gun owning) father.

Our trip to my aunt was cancelled, since she didn't feel up to visitors, so instead we met up with my sister at Dilston Physic Garden near Corbridge. Fab place - stuffed to the gills with all sorts of medicinal plants and lovely for a slightly spiritual wander.

Lunch then and, with awkward roadworks sending us to Hexham rather than Corbridge, we chanced upon a newish Polish restaurant and ate rather fabulously. Though I managed to massively over-order (it said pork shoulder, but I wasn't expecting the whole shoulder...)

Some unwise book shopping given our hand luggage restriction, then home to sit on* the sun, sort out my hire car conundrum thanks to a very helpful chap in the Newcastle branch, and a slow slide into the evening.

*in, though perhaps we should say under?