Smelling the roses

Lorraine and I went to Southease (where First Matie had lived for a spell) to look at some of the picturesque village's open gardens. It catalysed a yearning for an English Country Garden, maybe with chickens and lots of flowers. I never felt a desire for a row of onions before, but today I felt it powerfully. A row of onions that you had manfully planted into the soil yourself and then, months later, sink your teeth into later seems a noble thing. Enjoyed lurking in the village. Had a light snack there of a delicious flapjack, a cup of tea and a plastic cup of home made ginger beer.

A lovely time drifting about between clouds of rose scent, and colourful bedding plants. The South Downs nearby providing a lovely backdrop.

Then to Sarah and JD's for a civilised little garden party, with sushi, entire rounds of cheese, and impressive cakes to celebrate Sarah's birthday. She works in banking and is having a bloody time of it at work at the moment. I asked her what she thought about more public projects should be funded, and more capital released into the society, and learned that from her perspective this was a good thing. Also spoke to Dawn, Steve Geliot, who is working on a monster art installation, involving a cast of hundreds, Pat and Angie, and two cool Parisian musicians who have moved to Kemptown.

Then home, where we played Raid the Pantry one of Amanda's games, with Beth and then settled down to watch a ridiculous cop drama on TV.

The Tobster's birthday today, on holiday with Romy in Washington DC. Looking forward to my brother returning to Blighty in a couple of weeks.

Below: people taking tea on the village green at Southease, a beetle in a rose, a bench, Southease church glimpsed through trees, Sarah and cakes.