Proportional Crepresentation

[Cremolafoam]

There you go lovelies

MI, sympathies.

DH (who normally takes over on booking holidays but is so stretched at work, can't do it this year) has told me to just cancel our possible bookings because the Airbnb calendar has caused problems, which has the knockon effect of effing up the flights...

But the first place has now confirmed. Holding my breath for the second place...

Crem how is your eye? . Sympathies to MI and BTM with holiday booking angst. I always got put off Portugal because the transfers from the airport seemed so long, somehow. BTM here's hoping the second place checks out for you.

Sandals ..I have the worst conflict between comfort and style. Loving Geox at the moment, although ££/£. love the look of these but not for trekking

I am beached whaling on the sofa, having done way more of a challenging hike than planned and my ankles hurt. However it was great and my Iphone step counter is happy. Bluebell woods still in bloom making it extra soothing to the soul. Lunch on the harbour was ravenously downed, and expecting some friends for drinks and nibbles later. DD and DH are arguing over homework which requires costing of a full production for her business module. I am going to bang their arsey heads together.

I have done some soul-cleansing singing practice and run up a very promising chilli, which includes kidney beans cooked from dried and some 100% dark chocolate. And a cinnamon stick in the oil first. I didn't put in cumin as otherwise it ends up too like kheema. Which is one of my favourite foods but I wanted to make chilli.

And I've booked!
We are going to a village outside Argeles sur Mer, and an apartment in Roses. If anyone has any recs for restaurants/things to do, that would be great!

MI, do NOT give up!

Rose, those are definitely not for trekking!

I too am lolling on a couch, in a stylish Parisian manner. DS's mass in Notre Dame was mindblowing. The sheer scale of the place was remarkable - there must have been seating for 4000 congregation, and it was two thirds full. Plus a gazillion tourists milling around.

The choir sounded amazing, and I blubbed on a number of occasions.

Other highlights of the day included a very excellent exhibish of archaeology beneath Notre Dame, lovely lunch and the double decker train.

Oh, and Shakespeare & Company, that amazing warren of books, occasionally punctuated by chaises longue, and cats.

I have loved reading your updates, Herbs. So pleased it went so well.

Crem, I am aghast at the awfulness of your experience. I can't believe the surgeon just pressed on regardless. I hope you're feeling a bit better today.

BD, I hope you get that job. Really great to hear how the interview lifted your spirits. Go you!

Am feeling a bit grumpy and under the cosh, as had Fri night off and Saturday for house jobs, and then I've had to spend today sorting admin and trying to get academic work done, as well as cooking etc. And I have to teach tomorrow. Because boarding school.

Have not got any time to think about a holiday, so we prob won't have one. There are certain factors which make it difficult to plan ahead at the moment and if I don't have dates now, I'm sure I won't be able to get Stroppdog a place in his special needs boarding facility.

Love the "please let cat sleep" sign.

Mass at Notre Dame sounds fantastic Herbs - so glad it went well.

I have spent the day lolling, and getting to grips with playlists for new speakers - progress is being made - have rediscovered Pale Shelter and have danced happily around the living room. Have been to yoga and now am waiting for the Durrels and of course Line of Duty.

I fear we're not going to be able to watch LoD until tomorrrow night! Might seem s but rude to our hosts to go off and watch it, sadly. Will have to impose social media blackout until I can watch it tomorrow night after choir!

Hoping journey home won't be hampered too much by multiple marches going on in Paris tomorrow...

Stropps, we would love to have him to stay, but that would probably be more hassle for you than finding a kennels! I am thinking to sign DS up for Borrow my Doggy.

That's a blast from the past Hatty!

Herbs, glad you had a lovely blubby weekend. Did DP go too?

I have loved your updates too, herbs. You must be so proud.

I am feeling a bit grumpy too Stropps. Was at a very nice do, idiotic woman said I should be drinking/staying late and sneered at me for not, so went home, to find unexpected Amazon package. I opened it, thinking I might have forgotten ordering some cool sandals or some such, to find orthotic insoles. Great.

Is there anywhere worthy of the name holiday where Stroppdog could go too?

Fabulous french concerts, congrats! herbs and mini herbs. I too love singing 'I was glad'.

Lalsy - sorry I didn't rescue you - I left soon after you. Was a lovely do though

BTM - so pleased you booking a holiday

Bank hol plans anyone? Mine include sleeping in and watching the LoD

Arf at Special Needs boarding facility for StropDog. I'm sure he's a welcome guest at any establishment.

I'm just back from 50th Birthday Tea at lovely friend's house, where I ate my own bodyweight in cakes and scones and caught up with lots of my primary mum friends, who I barely see now our DSs are big lunking 17 year-olds. Much prosecco flowed, so I was grateful to DH for dropping off and collecting me (DS apparently "too busy with revision" - excuse me while my sides split with mirth). Lovely friend has new smooth-haired miniature dachshund pup in black-and-tan, which was just about the cutest thing I've seen on four legs for a long while.

I was so happy to hear about the holiday booking, BTM.

Today, for me, has been all about cars.

Several hours at the classic car show on the front - and D (twat) H hadn't looked at the time it started so we got there an hour early.

Low tide, force 5 easterly wind on the sea front, far from a 'naice' cafe..... Very cold.

It was OK & then came home & watched a boring GP (I am an F1 fan) and the only good bit was that Bottas won.

Dh is watching LOD (I never got into it) & I am sorting out a visit to see PFGD in July. I love her dearly but I am not giving up Wimbledon for her!!

Hello no, Magi! .

Nah, addle, I should have put a stop to her pronto, but was filled with peace and love at lovely peaceableness of do.

Magi - I'm an F1 widow. I do a little dance of joy every time the season ends.

Hotter sandals, orthotic insoles... remind me again why we are in S & B, here?

I have been to Tesco today (whoop whoop), cooked a roast chicken for dinner, fallen asleep , read some of my book and am about to attack the kitchen which looks like the wrath of god. Also made very nice tomato, pepper, olive and feta tart for lunch. Off to see the outlaws tomorrow, dropping DD2 off at go-karting en route.

A quick Google also reveals massive voucher discounts on hotter

I ordered the red ones and got 30% off with a code, plus free delivery. DH said I don't need any more sandals. He can go fuck himself.

I always get confused with voucher codes. Looked at the H-word site and couldn't work out where to enter the code.

Well, it's 6.15am on a bank holiday Monday and I'm contemplating a run. Am in kit and about to leave house. Because:

I am having work issues with a client which are periodically making me cry and I don't know what to do - I want to chuck it but what if all other work dries up? At the moment it's sweated labour, I'm not doing it to their satisfaction and I'm not particularly proud of the gig but as above, what happens if everything else dries up?

I may have to work today, see above

I'm sick of bank holidays where DP stuffs around either working (yes I know I may have to but this is vv rare) or saying he's too tired to do anything

He's snorting and wheezing so that isn't helping my sleeping.

Oh, and our cleaner is coming at 8am anyway.

They can all get stuffed. I'm fed up with all of them.

Oh, and the holiday seems to be kicked into the long grass so I'm leaving it to him

MI enjoy your run. Hope it re-send your day.

I have retired to bed, downloaded a useful book I need to read, and decided that I will probably tell client to stuff it.

I too am trying to order the sandals but site doesn't seem to be working properly & can't find where to put payment details. Could this be an omen to step away from the Hotter Shop?

DQ - you just add to your basket and then go to payment. The details do come up eventually, but there is a bit of faffing beforehand, I agree.
MISS30 gave me 30% off and free postage.