mike hawkins - thinking out loud

So, we've had Nicky here for the week - just got back from dropping her off at the airport.  Great fun - as always.  

Haven't done much - mooched about and eaten well - but she seems to have had a good time.  Always a pleasure seeing her.

Her arrival coincided with a bit of cold weather - but you can't have everything.

Seems bloody quiet without her here now.  Off to a "bit of a do" this to-night - dinner and dance, should be a very pleasant evening.

To-morrow is the Marthon brocante which is a great day in the village calendar with a bit of a party atmosphere.  A busy weekend.

So the Hawkins clan have had a good week.  Emma arrived on Tuesday, and it has been great having her around.  As usual she timed it perfectly and was too late for the first round of wood moving and too early for the second - unerring on her part.  Bit of a 'busman's holiday' though - everybody needed a haircut so she hardly got off the plane before there was a queue.  She is a very good hairdresser though - it's great to see her doing something she truly enjoys.

The other highlight is Molly landing a job in Angouleme working for Zara.  What a fantastic achievement.  To be interviewed in her second language in an area where it is not usual to have foreign staff, and be successful is just incredible.  We're very proud of her, first the French driving licence, and now this - a year of accomplishment.

Simultaneously Sophie was holding her exhibition in London, which was mentioned here a couple of weeks ago.

A good week. 

With the improvement in weather comes the increase in visitors - the calendar is filling up. Much excitement, with the arrival of Sophie now very much on the horizon - and my mate MDG lands in early May, which will be great.

Started a spring clean of the barn yesterday – what a mess after a winter of wood-cutting and storage coupled with cold-induced laziness.

I’m also in the process of knocking up some more bedroom furnishing – so overall, busy at the moment.  All the good bits being tempered by sinuses that are determined to remain blocked whatever happens – but you can’t have everything.

 Molly's strawberry plantation began yesterday and my chilli operation will commence soon - hopefully.  Mary is sticking to odd looking shrubs.