All piled up - we are ready

Unbelievable - the boys were ready to sleep at 9.30 last night and didn’t wake till 8am. James had 4 weetabix for breakfast.

I cooked a chorizo, caramelised onion sausages, aubergine, red pepper, onion, chickpea and paprika tomato casserole for lunch while Mr C started to empty the conservatory in preparation for the builders coming to replace the windows, door and roof on Monday. When #2 daughter and Phil arrived with Sandy their lurcher the boys took her to the woods to play. Phil helped Mr C dismantle the dining table and carry it to the spare bedroom and they piled a chaise longue on a sofa and moved them to the hall. Other stuff is in the living room and bedroom.

They enjoyed lunch and were particularly happy with the pudding I made - syrup sponge and custard. Daughter hadn’t had that since childhood and she and Thomas had seconds. I’m not sure how old the custard powder was but as it’s not something I use much I imagine it’s well past the use by date.

After the left I spent some time on the Colombia book. I’m under pressure as I have a Rotterdam one to do and I promised #3 daughter I’d do her one of their South Africa trip. However tonight I about relaxing with my book Wifedom about George Orwell’s wife.

I don’t want to dwell on it but for purposes of my diary I must comment on the disgusting display of bullying, rudeness and shameful incoherent haranguing from the US president and his VP. I hope he never sets foot here at our expense to be wined and dined at a state visit. Already there are over 100,000 signatures to petitions against the visit. A political friend said “that won’t help Zelenskyy imho”. Neither will Trump’s visit here.