Hi, everyone! The rhizomes of mobile communication have spread into cottage country, and we have internet access though our phones 
. However, there's still no CBeebies, and no television, so DS is having to read (mwahhaha), but sadly that doesn't help DD, so she's doing the same tantrums as everyone else's, with no thunderstorms to blame! Nevertheless, it's lovely here. I'll try to post a pic in a minute.
We're not being badly plagued by mosquitoes, so the woods aren't completely off limits, as they were last time.
The trip here also included tantrums, and DS's vom in the car on the M25 carpark. The trip itself was all right, though more trying than when we outnumbered DS. (Northern and Figgy, take note: I got away with not sitting with the DC because the seats are in 3s and DH still owed me for the stag weekend, but with 2 parents and only 1 DC, there's no escape!) DD was alternately rotating, trying to lie down on the floor, playing wiht the tray table and watching the plane TV. On the way back, we've got 2+2, so even stevens again 
Hop, did the "Ark" rain cause the chicken to turn up, or was it a coincidence?
All those thunderstorms sound incredible! Do you think they're causing the DCs to malfunction, or is it just widespread twonagerdom? (Northern, maybe you could use a thuinderstorm to distract DP's friend and the fiancee from the fact that you won't be going to the wedding?)
Sorry the heat is oppressing you, though, Mopsy and seven. Do the thunderstorms not help at all? Hope the anniversary celebrations, minimopsy's recovery and your scan have at least cheered you, Mopsy!
I thought of you and the in-app purchases yesterday, Seven. There was an ad on in the place where we were eating lunch (in town to buy food), boasting that an app was "free to download" from the apple store and Google PLay. To my mind, that means "in-app" purchases, so is a pretty big turn-off!
DrFunke, how's your back
AnAir, good luck at your parents'! Make sure they give you full credit for DS's gold star, hey?
Bonne rentree to MrAethel! Mind you thank your Queen Aethel holding the kingdom together very well, despite provocation from the heavens, the DC and the horrible aeroplane news 
P.S. I love the Alphablocks, too (and thank goodness the DC agree with me! 
)
OiMissus, your father is an arse. It sounds as though your DSis will offer solidarity due to his past form, but it's a bit sad that solidarity is needed! Does he think you're going to beg for his forgiveness? or guidance? 
It's a shame that he's falling out with you when you could do with support (or, simply, lack of pressure). Luckily, BOi seems a lot luckier in his father.