Ella and Nathaniel - Cape Town

It still wasn’t properly light at 8.45 when we left the house for Morpeth. Mr C was trawling M&S for Brie and Cranberry parcels with no luck. The shelves were bare of party nibbles. Laura cut my hair swiftly. I don’t think she wants to see me back for a while - I’m scalped.

I saw there was a sale on in SeaSalt and a top just happened to fall off the hanger into my arms. I also got a lovely dark green velvet dress (bargain at £69) but couldn’t find any sparkly tights. My sparkly high heels are too uncomfortable now so I’ll just have to go bling with the jewellery when/if I dress up. M&S pyjama bottoms, made in Bangladesh, were £12. What on earth can the poor women get paid to make them. I hope women and not children.

We heard that the dad of one of #2 daughter’s first school friends had died. He had Alzheimer’s but in his young days he was a world champion Cumberland and Westmorland wrestler. I bought a condolence card and when handing it over the young woman in the shop said “Have a nice day”.

A very excited Ella FaceTimed me to show me the cottage they are staying at on a farm in Stellenbosch area. This morning they left Cape Town and got an uber to the airport where they picked up Luke and a car. She took me for a wander in the grounds and we admired the view of distant hills and the swimming pool. The weather is warm but not hot. Tonight they are going to the pre-wedding party which isn’t too far away. (As this is my diary I’m using the photo they sent me from the beach at their last hotel. Great view.