The last week of the Summer holidays, sigh! It was about time I got some prep work done for school, so I forced myself to do a couple of hours reading/research/planning each morning after breakfast, getting up a bit earlier to prepare for the imminent return of normality… However this did still leave the afternoons free and I tried to make the most of the last, chilled week of the Summer with the monkeys 🙂
On Monday we took a stroll around our local neighbourhood on the way to a nearby park. We had fun noticing the first signs of Autumn fast approaching. No beautiful, autumnal, leaf displays yet Del, but they’re a-coming…
We had a lovely, surprise text from our neighbour while we were out and about on Tuesday, saying that she’d forgotten to cancel her ‘Hello Fresh‘ order having gone away for a few days (organic ingredients and recipes delivered to your doorstep for a number of pre-selected meals). It was on her doorstep if we wanted to claim it? Yes please! My husband was delighted to find me preparing beef and chorizo hamburgers when he arrived home (I’ve been cooking mostly vegan stuff the entire Summer), especially as it was his birthday. We hid the packaging for a while, but he found it eventually and the real reason for the treat became apparant… Still, got some brownie points: bottle of wine at the ready for my neighbour’s return 😉
On Wednesday we met up with some friends at Lyme Park, the NT property where Pride and Prejudice was filmed. No handsome men emerging from lakes unfortunately, but the monkeys had a great runaround and built a very impressive den.
On Thursday I forced myself to shorten not one, not two, but three pairs of trousers. One of which had patiently been waiting for well over a year… Better late than never I guess! Anyone else put boring sewing tasks like this off forever?
On Friday we met my parents at Chester Zoo. It’s really near my parents’ house so they buy the monkeys annual passes every Christmas. The photo is the original, founder’s house, as featured in the recent television series ‘Our Zoo‘ if you live in the UK.
Whilst shopping with my daughter on Saturday I happily discovered that not only had I completed my Waterstones stamp card, earning myself a free £10 off, my loyalty card also had £8 clocked up on it. It would have rude not to have stocked up on a few paperbacks. I can always justify spending on new books by virtue of being an English teacher… It’s vital I keep up-to-date! 😉
On Sunday I finally got round to planting up these pansies my Mum had given me to spruce up some pots. They’d been reduced to next to nothing as they were past their best, but Mum advised plenty of water and they’ll be as right as rain again. I’m not totally convinced, but they still look a lot better than the weeds that were previously occupying said pots…
We have a bank holiday here in the UK tomorrow, so the holidays not quite over yet 🙂 Hope everyone else has been making the most of the last few weeks of Summer,
Teresa
x.
#sundaysevens is a weekly round up of the smaller events of each week that wouldn’t otherwise merit a post of their own. Hop over to Nat’s site, here, for more details and how to join in yourself. I will one day get round to uploading the button…
navybluethreads 
A lovely week! I think it’s been feeling somewhat autumnal for a little while now – is it like this every August and we just forget?
Your new books look great – I’ve just renewed a library book for the third time, I always resolve to make more time to read. It’s great that you’ve had some lovely days out with the monkeys too 🙂
I really enjoy how blogging about the smaller events makes you appreciate them more 🙂 Much though I like making use of the library, I’m appalling at collecting fines! I find it much cheaper (and less stressful) buying second hand.
Oh, what a nice collection! Like your book stack …I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for “The Paying Guests” must pick it up. And hmmm, A Spool of Blue Thread? Navy perhaps? And free food delivery – what a treat. 🙂
The title did appeal! Looking forward to getting stuck into them after I’ve finished rereading Othello for school. The food delivery was a fab treat, especially unwrapping it all: we had no idea what the contents would be… 🙂
I love surprise treats like that! And I’m totally with you with putting off mending; I usually pile it up until the stack threatens to fall over, then do it all at once. I don’t get how I can love sewing and hate mending so much. 😉
🙂 Yep, the food box was a lovely, unexpected treat. And those trousers have made me smile putting them on since, so worth the effort.
I forgot but you remembered – WOW! 😲 THANK YOU, Ms. T!
Nothing I’d rather contemplate 🍁🍂, with a solid week of 90’s + humidity coming up. 😱 Am not good at doing repairs… as witnessed by that UFO skirt languishing on its’ hanger. You had a lovely last week with the monkeys, and a nice surprise. Hope your tomorrow is just as lovely, and you get to enjoy those books soon! 😍
My pleasure! 🙂 First week back shouldn’t be too bad, always nice to see everyone, pupils included. Will be the early morning starts that will be difficult…
Be interested to hear what you think of A Spool of Blue Thread
🙂 Will get back to you once I’ve read it…
Well done for getting your 3 items altered! I also find that alterations tend to get pushed to the bottom of the pile
I’m intrigued by a couple of your books so I’m going to look into them 🙂 I’ve really enjoyed your summer holiday posts – hope going back to school goes smoothly!
Thanks Natalie 🙂 Think it’s been a really healthy lesson in appreciating the positives, no matter how small.
Lovely pictures. Oh yes Autumn definitely feels as if it’s on it’s way. It’s a shame we’ve had such a poor summer, but lovely to feel the changing season too.
We’re lucky to have such variety, although it can be too much when it’s all in one day… I’ve vowed not to moan so much after finding the heat and humidity just too much over in America. We’ll see how long that lasts: British weather (especially here in the NW) can test your patience to the limits 😉
Glad you’ve been able to make the most of your last week. It’s flown, it doesn’t seem 2 minutes since your first holiday post. Enjoyed reading your Sunday sevens, and seeing what happens at the other side of the Pennines 😃
🙂 Seems to go quicker each year. It’s the manic business and ferrying everyone around I’m dreading… Most of the kids’ clubs don’t start until next week though, so at least it’s phased in gradually, deep breath…
Can’t believe it is end of summer already, leaves yellowing here too and apples are ripe! Also preparing for back to school and work, but I do quite like the ‘new start’ feeling that comes at this time.
Louise
Me too, I think regular fresh starts (though not the constant change) are one of the best parts of teaching 🙂