Shade

It seems the potential coup in Russia has fizzled out. Yesterday the mercenary forces of the Wagner group appear to have turned away from fighting alongside the Russian army in Ukraine and set their sights on Moscow.  When we went our yesterday afternoon they were advancing and Putin was calling them traitors. By this morning they’ve taken a left to Belarus. World politics is simulation terrifying and fascinating. 

Another incredibly hot day. 30° by lunch time. We tidied and cleaned the kitsch, uncovered the outside furniture and put the parasol up to give a little shade go the table and make it bearable to touch. I took a swing in the chair in the corner of the garden and we prepped some things for the bbq. A quick trip to the corner shop for need tomatoes and ice. Unlike Eurovision night when I couldn’t find it, I asked and discovered that it’s hidden on the bottom shelf of ten big freezer by the back door. Worth remembering. 

Trains were not running to Raynes Park so Mark and Rob didn’t have the most direct journey but they were here before 3pm and we had five hours in the sunshine. It was wonderfully hot in the garden but with the umbrella up, lots of ice water and plenty of wine it was a great afternoon. PY did the bbq of burgers, kebabs and sausages and we had a great big Greek salad as well as baked potatoes and baked sweetcorn ( which was delicious and buttery).  An Eton Mess rounded off the afternoon. Lots of talk of PY’s new job, travel plans and upcoming concerts. They caught an Uber home not long before 9pm. 
 
As we were clearing up it started to rain which was a surprise but cooled the air nicely that by the time we went to bed the loft room was lovely and chilled. Before that we watched Elton John’s Glastonbury set (supposedly his last UK performance) which was really good. We saw him perform the Red Piano tour at the O2 in September 2007. Back then I would have said his voice wasn’t great so I did not have any expectations for this evening. But I am to note I was wrong. It was a really good show. Those in the crowd, close enough to see the stage, were very lucky.