Preamble

Michael was having to work and so Mel and Shannon weren’t there.

The weather was really sunny and very hot so it was an afternoon in the garden.

A lovely roast chicken lunch was served by Charlie in the garden.

Then it was time for Summer Garden antics.

Firstly I had to be hero and retrieve a paddling pool, no two, from the shed – somewhat overgrown with foliage and suspected to house giant spiders.

Not being an arachnophobic (until now when I may be converted), I put on a brave face and invaded the shed – actually I thought it wiser and safer to stand in the doorway and pull the pools out – not easy as they were entangled with goodness knows what…I certainly didn’t know.

The first one I managed to extract was rejected, I don’t recall why.

So, I went in with my arms again fearing an angry spider revolt and attack at my invasion.

With a deal of tugging the second pool was rescued and I gave it a good shake to free it of the dreaded spiders. Surprisingly I didn’t see any evacuees.

I left the cleaning of the pool up to Charlie and the children and assumed my preferred photographer role.

Soon the pool was inflated and filled with water from a hosepipe – for which Josh, predictably, tried out all possible uses!

Much jollity was had in the paddling pool.

Later I helped Isabelle (or visa versa) do a jigsaw. I was amazed how good she was at fitting the pieces together – what a skill she has at age 3.1/2!