A lot of catching up...............

I know - it's been too long since I posted here.

There have been family visits, physiotherapy sessions, parties with the neighbours, interesting days out, lunches in the sun, a seemingly endless, bumpy ride home and now we're back in Scotland getting ready to go to Cambodia for another get-together with our grandchildren.........

I did keep planning to write it all up - but this year so far has been full of plans for things that didn't happen......

{Weekly market in Guillestre - much grander during the summer holidays}

 Alongside the usual weekly markets there are always more specialised ones which take over a village for the day in summertime.  My favourite is the Potters' Market. This year we went to the one held in the village orchard in Montdauphin Fort. Nothing was bought this time but the venue was spectacular and I managed a long walk round the stalls.

{Very tempting blue pottery}

To give John a break from his kitchen chores (!) we often had lunch out. This restaurant is in Guillestre and serves great salads. Sitting out under a big umbrella is the best way to enjoy a hot lunch break!

{Guillestre - lunch on market day}

The highlight of the month had to be the visit from the Shanghai gang - seeking fresh Alpine air after the suffocating heat of the busy Chinese city.

{An ice-cream break.....then a visit to see the marmots}

I had planned to take Brodie on a few easy walks - sadly that was not possible but we did buy him the sticks for next time.....

{Trying them out....}

 The weather was very kind and sunny so we explored some mountain villages to keep cool....

{Staying cool in St Veran}

All too soon they all flew back to China but we had visitors from Aberdeen arriving so a lot of tidying had to be done - no time for musing.....  John and Heather arrived and the two Johns had to fetch , carry and cook for us all. Poor Heather was incapacitated with a slipped disc and in a lot of pain.

{The two Johns enjoying some time away from housework.....}

Not long after that enjoyable week John and I set off back to Scotland. My shoulder did not appreciate the travelling one bit. Extra painkillers had to be taken..... but eventually we reached Dunkirk for our ferry ride to Dover.

{Crossing the channel as the sun sets}