Tennis at Wimbledon

   Thought I had better get a post in today or my followers (such as you are, not too many I think) in case you think I have "shaken off this mortal coil".

   It's been a busy week with the family here and my own usual activities. I won't go over everything but today I was out extremely early to help set up the "Wimbledon Brunch" at the tennis club. It was a great spread (all pot luck) ranging from home baked scones, muffins, croissants and cake to strawberries and cream. Also crackers, cheese, watermelon, cherries, soft drinks and, of course, lots of coffee on tap all morning. We played tennis, watched the Men's semifinal matches, played more tennis and chatted. We had a huge turnout, close to 60 people (as we usually do when there is free food on offer) and tons of food left over. People were going home with almost as much as they brought! 

   I was home by 12:30, had a swim, a nap and then spent almost an hour getting a new gas tank for the BBQ - several false starts before I finally found the best deal. Tonight I plan to barbecue some chicken souvlaki that I found in the freezer (probably Judy's) and will have it with salad and sweet potato. Then an early night, methinks!

The Heat Continues

   My computer has just told me it is 32C here today and I don't dispute that. It was fearfully hot at tennis this morning although we started at 8:00 a.m. People were dropping like flies (not literally which was fortunate as we have several 80- and 90-year olds) and most had drifted off by 10:30. I went home then too for a nice cool swim but grandson had turned on the pool heater, so not as refreshing as usual!

    The family are off to the trailer this afternoon so it's just me, Holly and Stripey. The latter has been brought downstairs to the office as the bedroom was just too hot for her. Judy was busy jam making this morning (I did mine yesterday) so we are both now well stocked for the coming year. The strawberries were so large and luscious that it took no time at all to pick them. In fact it took me longer to drive to the strawberry field than it did to fill my bucket! I have quite a few left to snack on or freeze.

My well-stocked cupboard.

Summer With a Vengeance

   Terribly hot today - I think I may be sleeping in the basement tonight. I walked to and back from the senior's centre and, although it is air conditioned, I came home quite exhausted after my exercise class and kitchen duty. I had a swim when I got home and again after doing some errands. The car was like an oven!

     The thermometer in the upper floor of my house is off the scale which means it is over 30C. Downstairs is set to 24C but feels much hotter. It must be the humidity, plus I have the oven on. Maybe not the smartest thing to be cooking today but I had defrosted some chicken thighs.

   The lizard is enjoying the heat. I checked with grandson and it is a Leopard Gecko. He gobbled up his meal worm this morning and actually took a stroll around the tank. But Holly and I, not so much. She is sprawled out on a cool surface by the air vent.

   

Another House Guest

   Another guest arrived today.

A Lizard. She is hiding under the large rock and doesn't seem to do anything. She eats live meal worms and crickets but I have yet to see her eat anything. Maybe she is more active at night.

   The family have gone to their trailer for the long weekend so it's just me, Holly and the lizard.