From the Hill Fort

Looking over the Severn to Arlingham and Newent. A patchwork of blue and green.

We were on top of Painswick Beacon, a place that CleanSteve and I go to often. Within a few minutes' walk from the car, the rambler is rewarded with views over seven counties, and an aerial vista that makes one think one is looking down from a plane. Stunning, every time. I 've blipped it before, but I never get tired of the walk, or the view.

Our friends Pip and Mary had come up from Bristol to spend 24 hours with us. I got home mid-afternoon and managed to lie in the hammock in the sun for half an hour before their arrival. We headed off for the Beacon (an iron-age hill fort) to meet a mutual friendw, John, and his Bedlington terrier, for the walk. Once we'd taken in all the scenery and topography we could manage, we all set off for John's house in the villlage of Whiteshill. His wife, Liz, a talented textile artist, showed us her new garden studio (space to die for!) and plied us with tea, and red wine. John showed his amazing photos of 3-D microscopy slides to Pip, Mary and Steve. I stayed with Liz, chatting about bread machines and what it's like to have your adult children return to the nest (difficult).

As a result of the drinking, we left quite late, and got home just in time to cook supper and embark on further drinking. We had some great salmon, new potatoes, and a fabulous apple and bramble crumble that Mary had brought. Then we made plans for the morning that I didn't think would succeed, as they included viewing a live kingfisher on the river between 9.30 and 10 am precisely....

Watching the results of the Labour Party leadership contest announced was also on the agenda. I was pretty sure we'd manage that, at least. Being very old now, we all staggered off to bed before 1am.