Baywatch to Bushwacker

One Sunday of the year, a huge sports emporium here is open, so this morning we went - it's Father's Day here today and Andy was keen. Having got the flatscreen out of his system we're now onto ping pong (think he prefers me to call it table tennis but ping pong is so satisfying to say isn't it - now repeat it really quickly.....) in a big way - it would be wouldn't it - big that is. No little net with little screwy bits on (with the net permanently tangled) that you can attach to a suitable table for us - oh no, all swinging (keep up!) all dancing all weather is the only option. We looked at them, felt them up a bit and then walked on, only for now I'm sure. Our purpose of the trip was actually to buy Ben & Miriam (who live in Dominica) some sea shoes - rubber and not dissimilar to attractive Crocs, fins (don't call them flippers), mask, snorkel and that was it. Well, the big 'convince you it's summer' displays were all out in force and Andy spotted a boogie board and said the kids would like it. I said no, don't be ridiculous they will float away. He then did his 'you'll regret it once you're there' speech which always terrifies me so I said ok. So we now have 5 boogie boards (one each for Ben & Miriam) and 1 adult size one - well it is Father's Day. I will use it to float on and improve my tan at least.

We got home and then broke the law. Well, in Belgium you can't garden on a Sunday - well use any noisy machinery, surprisingly kids are still allowed to play outside. However, we're under real time pressure now and yesterday it was pouring all day. So feeling incredibly guilty we got out the chainsaw - well the borrowed chainsaw and started cutting away madly. My job was to make sure the plug stayed in the extension lead so there I am ducking and diving desperately trying to avoid this manic machine. My other job was then to gather the debris and dispose of it in the correct GFT/Compost (2 Euros each) white bags. Our landlord says the garden has to be as we found it - well we moved in in December when it was hardly a green wonderland but we will do our best to comply. I can't wait to have a real gardener - my jobs were all the rubbish ones today but it might take a while to be trusted with much else unfortunately.

No doubt we will get some fixed penalty garden fine through the door tomorrow. You think I'm joking.....