Windy.

We've had a busy day and an even busier evening following a 5.00 text letting us know that Sally and Vytas will be arriving later tonight for the weekend. Thank goodness for late night opening.

The chap from the garage rang early this morning to give us his pre-MOT findings. Not good as the brakes need re-doing. Too much expenditure as no doubt other things might well need doing. Luckily he had a suitable car for us which he and Peter had talked about yesterday and he took the old car in part exchange. If it had been anyone else we would have been suspicious but we've known Alec for a long time and he is trustworthy. The new car is a little Peugeot and one thing that would have devalued it in many people's eyes is the fact that it has been keyed all along the passenger door and side. Too deep to remove without a total respray and not something that bothers me. I may even get some fancy decals to go on the sides. One bonus was that when I came to get the tax it was only £20 for the whole year due to the small size of the engine and subsequent low CO2 emissions.  

Winds of up to gale force 9 had been blowing all night and carried on during the day thanks to Storm Bronagh.  Nothing as severe as the recent weather in other parts of the world but look what it did to the big Buddleia in the front garden. This happened some time during the morning while we were out sorting the car. It needed cutting back halfway for the winter but I was holding off while there were still flowers for the bees. I spent part of the afternoon dodging showers and cutting back the rest of the bush. I've saved the sturdier sticks to use as plant supports next year but if I put them in the ground now by spring at least half of them would have rooted. The rest of the cuttings fitted into three small plastic sacks. 

The three tall acers in the back garden are tied to the fence to stop them from falling over. 

This evening I drove over to Tesco's to get supplies for the weekend. It's the fair this weekend and as I drove over the New Bridge I could see the lights of the taller rides. Tesco's car park was full, mostly with people going over to the fair by the leisure centre. Unfortunately the forecast for tomorrow is not good which is a shame as tomorrow there will be food and craft stalls by the river, the carnival at 6.00 followed by live music in the Square and fireworks at 8.00.

I've baked a chocolate chunk cake, a family favourite and await the arrival of the youngsters. Patch has just walked into my study very confused by the exercise ball and rowing machine that are in here for the weekend.