Hi Martin, good to hear from you, and I’m guessing you’re back at work full time now? Glad you’re not too bad, and I’m happy to report that we’re all well here and trying to arrange another get together. Take care, love Ali xx

Dear Mary, I’m so sorry I missed the photo until now! Just seen your lilies and I have to say how fabulous they were! Mine this year were a little sorry for themselves and I had far fewer blooms on the Calla lilies too but I had separated them out last autumn and maybe they weren’t as happy 🙂 Well done for cracking on through your To Do List and hopefully your plasterer will have been able to finish the bedroom this week for you. I bet it will look fabulous when you finish painting it. Very many congratulations to you and John for your silver wedding anniversary – I and delighted you were able to celebrate with the children, and yes, you must be so excited about the pending birth of your grandchild… wonderful times ahead. Thanks for always keeping in touch – rather late this month with my blog but will have it for you later this week. Take care, love Ali xx

Dear Merche, I am sorry to know that your son has been poorly with Covid but relieved that he’s on the mend. I’m sure the vaccination will have meant his symptoms weren’t as harsh as they might have been, but tough considering he’d been double jabbed. I’m not sure if you’re already away with your friends whom you met in 1978, but I hope if you are the weather is kind to you. It’s good for all of us to take time out to be with family and friends if at all possible. Take care and thanks for keeping in touch, love Ali xx

Hi Susan, Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about and having time with everyone and realise how lucky I am to have been able to organise it. I know it’s been an eternity for Jackie and so many others but let’s pray things will continue to ease and travel will become simpler. My brother lives in Sydney and is struggling with the lockdown situation there and friends have a property in Portugal which just escaped the forest fires – as you say so many other parts of the world in turmoil… I hope that things are good for you and yours though and that you managed to spend time with each other. Thank you for writing to me – new blog next week. Love Ali xx

Dear Tina, I am sorry it’s been such a long wait not just for this response but for a new blog! The month has run away with me what with one thing and another but I will have a new blog for you next week. Glad you enjoyed this one and my photo of Studland Bay – and yes, we were very lucky with the weather – the sea was pretty warm. How was the IOW? I seem to remember you were heading there towards the end of August? Take care, love Ali xx

Hi Loraine, how was your Somerset bank holiday? I think you had the best of the weather – it was very grey here! Check the Government Covid website for the Day 2 tests, but I am going to try Boots the Chemist as I was told they also run a PCR testing service and are quite close to where we are. You will be in Sliema while we are in Gozo! We’ve decided to return to get the last of the sunshine 🙂 I hope Clare Geoff and the girls enjoy Cyprus too – things may improve re the traffic light situation – we just have to keep tabs on it. Take care and enjoy your holiday. Thanks for writing, love Ali xx

Dear Jo, Life has very much got in the way of life this last month, and although my reasoning would have more to do with the weather, I can quite see why you view it as a mismatched month! Here’s hoping you can get back to the land of romance, Campari and sunshine – treat yourself and read Sarah Winman’s ‘Still Life’ – part of this incredible novel is based in Florence and I know you would appreciate it. And if you enjoy that I would highly recommend A Year of Marvellous Ways… equally astounding. Well done you for recognising Munstead Wood! Is there any way I could grow on a cutting for you? More than happy to do that. It has such a beautiful scent. I hope that September will bring some more sunshine and that you will have places to go and people to see. I am sorry for the delay in responding but thank you for always taking time to write. Love Ali xx

Dear Linda, How did you get on with the Tili TSV? I really appreciated the red light warm setting – I hope you did too. Take care, love Ali xx