Dry Times

July is always dry here. No exception this year. 
We also had the hottest temperatures of the year (so far) which coincided with a visit from my old friend Nik and his daughter Ellie.

We did the usual jaunts out which I hope whetted Nik's appetite for further visits.

We spent a day kayaking along the Mondego, arranged by friend Matt of 'Rock and River.' It was a great morning!

We took in Coimbra and did a run up to the Serra da Estrela

Accompanied, of course by the dogs...

Spent an afternoon at the local adega sampling wine and buying a couple of bottles of course!
It was great to have them stay since we haven't seen them for 13 years! 

They left on the same day that Sylvi flew away to England to do Granddaughter minding. The dogs and I settled in to a now very quiet and rather empty house for a couple of weeks.

 
Sylvi here....So yes I flew back and had a busy 2 weeks. First weekend was supporting Adela in her 10k London Charity run for the Mayhew Pet Charity. 
She managed to raise over £600.




I got a lovely gift of a watercolour painting done by Adela of Poppy, their cat, for being the first to donate.  So a result in every respect!
 

It was an incredibly hot morning and Adela really made good time too. So well done Adela. We relaxed afterwards in the park and then went for a lovely lunch. 

Thank you both.



The main reason for my trip was looking after Lexa, since her school closed two weeks before Jo's. Lexa has grown up so much since I last saw her in January and is chatting away and a real little madam at times. We had a lovely time together, lots of laughs and special times. 
Aunty Pat came to visit...had fun in the paddling pool and she had bought her a lovely dancing tee shirt with special frills to wiggle with!

 

Scootering!

Dancing Dress

We went to the park to celebrate a friend's birthday and spent time playing in the garden...

Daddy ride! and tickling Granny with a feather

 and exploring Epping Forest with Rich and Jo. It was lovely to spend some time together outdoors in the sun as a family.

Sunny days!                                                  

Got my milk Granny!
Missing her already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

   

 









Back to Fraser.  
We ended the month finally getting around to mowing all the naughty bits of our land - thanks to Steve and Ness. Places like the bank out back which is very steep and a real pain to mow - particularly with a dodgy ankle!(see right)................................

Above before clearing...below afterwards

 







There are also water sources that need clearing and their walls repairing...so made a start on one of them, cutting down a huge invasive willow and elderflower. Then start to clean out the overgrown roots and foliage and create a new dam at the front.


 

Interesting critters of the month:

 A huge caterpillar which we think is either a Hawk Moth or Sphinx Moth larva, sometimes confused with the Hummingbird Moth.

Two amorous mini-lizards. We have lots in the garden and are lovely to see. Sadly Bugsy and Scraps like to chase them. Tails detatch quite readily though if snagged or trapped.

And a bright Green stick insect on the wall by the utility room door.