I've been away to the mainland for a few days. My Aunt, my Dad's younger sister, passed away a couple of weeks ago, so I travelled down for her funeral, which was at the beginning of the week.

It was a really lovely event - full of emotion and warmth. I enjoyed seeing my cousins and their families’. I hadn't seen them all together for such a long time. My daughter and son in law made it over too, and I stayed with my Dad and step-mum for a couple of nights. A good dose of family was exactly what we needed at that sad time.

I flew back yesterday and was straight into a Community Council meeting in the evening. It was fine- not a great deal to have to write up.

I spent today pottering around the garden. I had been on a bit of a roll with it, before I went away, but I found it hard to pick that up again. I just started pulling up weeds in one of the beds, and before I knew it, I was back into the rhythm.

I sowed some tomato seeds in the propagator - Beefsteak and Black Russian. I thought I would get them going first, as they take longer to grow. I’ll do the smaller ones in a week or so.

Dinner was steak, mushrooms and broccoli from the polycrub, and the best chips i’ve made for ages. I did them in the airfryer.

I’m feeling a bit stiff and sore after my travels, followed by a fairly strenuous day in the garden, so i’ll probably head to bed with a paracetamol and a hot water bottle.

I am reading I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith, which I saw in the airport bookshop and loved the cover. I’m loving the story too - funny, charming and absolutely perfect. I might finish it tonight.