This has been an unusual weekend, mainly because it was just Harvey and me at home.

The weather was extraordinary and I spent a lot of time in the garden.  This has been my implement of choice – an “onion hoe”.  I have used it in all my raised beds, whether they have onions or not.  Perfect for neatening the rows and hoiking out weeds trying to grow in between.  I read recently that weeds growing near onions can impede the bulb’s development so I weeded thoroughly and diligently.

One of the many things I like about veggie gardening is the aesthetic appeal of the neat and tidy rows.  Interestingly, I intensely dislike neat and tidy rows of flowers.  They really irritate me and I much prefer the English country cottage garden look.  But a veggie garden has to have neat rows.  I am quite ruthless about it.  You may be a good specimen of a plant but if you are in the wrong place you are out!  The weeding was relentless and ruthless.

The 2 types of onions in this bed are slightly frustrating as they are straggly but I guess for now they need to be.  It may be considered a bit OCD to trim them or tie them up neatly!  I shall just admire the neat and lovely weeding instead.

For Saturday lunch we had burgers.  Not at all macrobiotic but I did make them myself so I knew they were not full of chemical garbage.

1 x 500 g pack of steak mince was mixed with chopped onion, salt, pepper and cumin and shaped in to “patties” with my burger patty maker.  We ate one each and there are 2 in the fridge to be enjoyed at a later date. Not remotely macrobiotic but very tasty nevertheless.

I gardened and my companion for the weekend helped on occasion, or played or read.  Lovely.

I confess I struggled on Saurday with life in general as I was so tired.  Despite 2 naps I was still knackered when I went to Judy’s in the evening for supper with Emy and Fee plus 2 of Emy’s lovely boys.  In fact, despite a lovely evening, I was too tired so I came home very early and Harvey and I went to bed together at 9:30 pm.

We both woke up bright and early and were eating breakfast at 7am.  Porridge made with almond milk, water, blueberries and banana (plus brown sugar for the little fella).

We headed off to Ramsgate and it was glorious to be there in the sunshine, even though we only spied it from the window for most of the day.  This is the view from the dining room, across the little front garden and down to the harbour.

I love being outside and find it frustrating being inside when everyone else seems to be outside. I would have loved being in Ramsgate if we were relaxing as the weather was perfect but we were working.  So we had to make do with looking at the amazing view.

View from the sitting room bay window.

View from the other window in the sitting room.

View from Lara’s room.

View from our room.

If you know anyone who wants to rent a place overlooking the sea that sleeps 12 (5 x double beds and 2 x singles in 6 bedrooms with 4 bathrooms) please direct them to our site:

Marina Prospect

Well, after all that tidying and cleaning we headed out for lunch.  The harbour side cafes and restaurants were busy so we walked all of 5 minutes from our house, via the brick 3 piece suite

to Age & Sons where we had a table for 2 outside.

The perfect dining companion – kind, considerate, funny and interesting.  Plus the good food made a fantastic lunch.  And the £17 bill for 2 really good meals and 2 drinks was the icing on the proverbial cake.

Harvey went for the fish and chips which was good and I had roast pork with apple sauce, roast potatoes, beetroot, carrots and samphire.  The meat is not macrobiotic but the veg (apart from the potatoes) was.  In macrobiotics you are encouraged to eat the whole vegetable.  The beetroot bulb and leaves were served and the carrots were served with the tops and roots.  Just needed the leaves to be perfect 🙂

There was no gravy but the meat and veggies were moist and succulent so it wasn’t needed.

We both had a lazy afternoon at home.  Some more gardening and chores but mainly relaxing, outside.  So blissful , relaxing in the garden with a good book (‘Water For Elephants), Drambuie on ice and the little fella.  Plus looking forward to the evening when my gorgeous girl arrived home.  Her arrival was heralded with a bottle of Prosecco, drunk ……. outside of course

– congratulations on completing year 1 gorgeous girl 🙂

My eating this weekend was varied.  I ate a lot of very healthy food and a lot that wasn’t such as garlic bread, Minstrels, ice-cream and a chunk of Cheddar with an apple.  Today is a significant day which I will explain tomorrow.  I am not intending to be cryptic but you will see why I am tomorrow.  I have big expectations of the next few months!