I cannot believe that it is June and I've not written anything here since March. The Council elections have been and gone, won by two rather ancient blues as expected. We independents gave them a run for their money Tony Butcher getting almost to the post which was a very good effort. Having looked around the counting house new blood might have been a good idea but that's for another day.

The sun has at last come out without wind and we have had a fair amount of rain. The garden has perked up no end and the hay fields look like waving fields of grass rather than a trimmed lawn. A relief.

I have been taking my young horse eventing which has been a shock as I didn't expect to do that again. He is such fun and no pressure. These small courses of unaffiliated one day events are such a good idea. Good income for the organisers and a great introduction to young riders and horses without the expense of affiliation until you know that you can compete at the level.

Visitor numbers are down this year. I'm not sure if it was the expense for the group that came from Swindon this week or perhaps having a 3 hour stop over in Clevedon which while a decent enough town does not have a great deal to offer the day tripper and they got rather bored. They did however love the rose and vanilla cake that I made (the roses are fantastic this year). I've been making rose jam the perfume is a knock out a little really sends the senses reeling whipped into cream on strawberries....terrific. We are now picking elderflower for the liqueur. It did rather well at the flower show last year and is a great party starter included in a cocktail.

The dogs are enjoying squirrel tv and are glued to it from the moment that they get up. I'm not sure why they don't give it a second thought until we come down as it is light and the window is in their 'bedroom' but they don't. They have both had birthdays Pip is 1 and Georgie 11.

My youngest brother and family came for the weekend so lots of swimming and cricket while their eldest spent her time with the small grey pony who had been made very white for his trip to the RDA regional competitions where our group had a great day out and came home with a few prizes which was very exciting for all. One of them has qualified for the championships which was roundly applauded and I have just sent in the entry. There will be great support and we hope for a good result there as well. Everyone is very competitive, in a good way, as the playing field is very level and everyone likes to see effort rewarded. Parents had made lunch and coffee which was very welcome with an early start (5am) to get the ponies ready. I forgot their passports so one sainted father made a detour to get them (wonderful man). We all arrived in good order and were undaunted by an unfortunate accident occurring outside our trailer right at the start of the day. Harvey was almost good but managed to be distracted by needing a pee through a whole dressage test (which made him rather slow) and most of the handy pony until he could stand it no longer and proceeded to do the longest know to horse while standing by the gate as his rider opened it and had a fit of the giggles. Fun for all.