Bubbly

Perfect summer weather for a picnic down by the river to celebrate Ben's 21st. And, of course, we had to have some bubbly, which tasted good even though the glasses were plastic. It was lovely to spend some relaxed time together in the countryside, with no time pressure, and phones packed away to keep them safe near the water. We ate, drank, paddled, communed with cows and generally chilled.

We headed home before the schools came out, and then the younger crew headed into town, meeting up with friends at a cider festival. While they were out I made gooseberry and elderflower ice-cream ready for a barbecue we're having tomorrow. I soon remembered why I don't make it very often - it's really quite fiddly and time-consuming. But the contrast between the sharp gooseberry flavour and the creamy texture is sublime!