she's leaving home

I finally pulled my finger out and organised a last minute barbecue to mark Kate's last weekend in Bradford before she leaves this weekend for her new flat in Manchester with Jimmy and a long hard year's slog on her continuing journey to become a barrister.

We had discussed having people round and I kept wavering - partly because of the continuing lousy summer weather and partly because it would be the first do I had hosted not as one half of team. And it was always something we were good at doing, hosting a bit of a do. Both the preparation, knowing exactly who would do what. And then as joint hosts, creating a relaxed atmosphere. The buck would stop with me whether it was a good do. As usual probably a bigger deal in my head than it would be in anyone else's. That said I wasnt doing it alone - Kate and Jimmy took responsibility for the barbie so I just had to do all the prep work and salads. While they sweated over the coals.

Kate is having her friends do on Thursday so this was my circle who had all had a close association with Kate as well. An eclectic mix - one things for sure I do not have a single 'type' of friend. Sheryll came across which meant a lot - she has been present at all milestones - births, desertions, weddings.. Some nice presents for Kate and touching cards (including a positive work of art from Bella).

Having worried over the weather, it held up and we all sat outside all night - a combination of beer jackets and probably noone wanting to say to me they wanted to go inside. Wine flowed freely and all in all a very nice evening. So in one fell swoop we had the first and last barbecue of the summer.

Considering the overflowing black box, felt remarkably human Sunday morning which was topped off with this summer's now traditional breakfast at Granny Mo's before waving goodbye to Sheryll.

Although this is Kate 'officially' leaving home, it feels so right from so many aspects that it just feels a natural progression. Kate is going to be doing something she loves, in a place she has come to love. And most importantly she is with someone who so obviously adores her and she him. Together they make an ideal match and everyone who meets Jim instantly likes him. They compliment each other perfectly - and most importantly he makes me laugh. When he comes to stay, it is so easy - blending in seamlessly. God knows Kate would be hard pushed to find someone else who would willingly indulge her reality tv habit. I may shed a few tears as I drop her off on Saturday but I have no worries that Kate is with the right person, in the right place, doing the right thing.

4 counties in one day*

Not the best at keeping up with this blog malarkey. Particularly as my last entries did indicate I was close to the edge.. Things are better. With each passing day I find myself able to be more objective about the situation - a situation which is as baffling to everyone else as it is to me. I do not understand the behaviour of the other key player - to be saying you want something daily but not seeming willing to make that happen. But I do feel more on top of things - something as simple as hitting the camera big time, enough to give me something to focus on ('scuse pun). I know I can end this limbo stage but right now I know I do not want that responsibility.

So the summer draws to a close. Weather wise a crap summer - cannot remember spending fewer days in the garden. I took this week off before the summer disappeared altogether. A week of pottering doing all those domestic goddess chores that I presume women who are either at home or have fewer slattern tendencies than me keep on top of. Some retail therapy naturally.


And time catching up with Bella. A 7am start yesterday saw us set off for a day by the beach down in Lyme Regis. I haven't been to Lyme Regis since I was in my early teens when a rare summer holiday for the Machins was spent not in the wilds of Sutherland but Bournemouth. It really is a lovely place and I am surprised I have not explored it more since living in the West Country. A real traditional English seaside feel. A great drive down, rolling hills, green pastures, peacefully grazing sheep, tiny stone churches and secluded cottages with thatched roofs.

Arriving just after 9, parked up and first stop hearty breakfast looking over the sea. Few ominous clouds on the horizon but not enough to dampen our spirits or non-stop conversation. Breathing in the smell of the sea, which you love so much and which, however hard it is to describe, you instantly recognize anywhere you encounter it.


We rambled through the streets, town gardens, beach and the literary Cobb, a huge curving breakwater of Jane Austen and French Lieutenants Woman fame. Chatting, laughing, taking endless photos. Naturally Bella found a fossil. Watching the throngs crabbing. The children enjoying the sand. Everyone seemed happy - there didn't seem to be the lobster-red, stroppy children contingent so evident in the bigger resorts. We spent the obligatory hour or so just gazing out to sea until the chill got to Bella's arthritic limbs! And before we knew it the day was drawing to an end and there was only one way to finish it - fish n chips on the beach. Delicious.




It is definitely somewhere I want to go back and explore in more depth. There seemed to be loads of fresh local produce and some wonderful independent stores selling local, ethical food.
An easy drive home despite Bella's ill-contained displeasure that we weren't playing her sound of choice - jungle.... I preferred to drive home to bluegrass, Fleet Foxes and The Foals.

A perfect day.



* we travelled through wiltsire, somerset, Devon and Dorset to get there