The weather this week t’up north has been on the whole glorious! We have had temperatures reaching 25 degrees.

On Tuesday I had a great birthday with some lovely presents and lots of nice cards! I was lucky enough to get some green and blacks chocolate, some very nice biscuits/cookies and a fab rose from my beautiful wife called ‘Lover’s meeting’ (the rose that is!) which will have large orange, fragrant blooms. I also got a fan trained apple tree, so with luck we will have have our first home grown apples in the autumn!

I wanted to create an area in our ‘back yard’ which was dedicated to roses, so it is off to a flying start! Also I have always wanted to have a bash at growing an espalier (fan) fruit tree!

Last Monday we went to the Kelmarsh country show which was great – it showcased all sorts of country pursuits from logging to falconry, shooting to dog trials. I got a genuine Australian outback hat made from suede. It looks great and most importantly it will stop my bald patch from burning and keep the sun out of my eyes!

We have visited a few garden centres too this week – picking up a few bits and pieces. Sarah has taken the render of an old wall in the garden and revealed the beautiful brickwork underneath it. She has planted aubrieta in some of the cracks – so it will fab! We have also put on the wall a couple of ‘manger’ troughs which are filled with trailing sweet peas (a first for us this year!) We will let you know how they grow!

Jack and Elise took part in the village football tournament on Saturday. Jack’s team won! Other than that they have spent most of the time at the yard!

Right then I’m off to watch the Grand Prix from Bahrain!