What a party we went to last night!   We were blessed with fine weather and we sat outside until the early hours with no need for even a wrap or shawl.

I hopefully burnt a couple of calories by dancing.  I managed to resist the nibbles, was too busy chatting to lots of people I haven’t seen for ages so I missed dinner but unfortunately (for my diet) I didn’t miss pudding.  Confronted with carrot cake and chocolate roulade I do confess the no flour rule was but a dim memory.  The fizz and wine was not very helpful to ones diet either but it was an excellent party and I thoroughly enjoyed it all. Thank you to our lovely hosts, Marion and Colin and happy birthday, again, to Marion and Jane.  One legged “happy birthday” is an excellent innovation.

So today I woke up later then usual but felt undeservedly perky.  I had been considering spending the day on a juice fast and I actually did it.  Yes, all I have had all day is juice.  I did day 4, to the letter, of Jason Vale’s 5 lbs in 5 days.

I began with hot water in lemon, followed by hot water with mint and then a ginger shot.  For the morning and evening juice I had this lot which is called ‘Nature’s Super Blend’.   It was certainly a lot of healthy fruits and veggies; spinach, apples, broccoli, limes, courgette, pepper, celery, carrots, cucumber and avocado. It didn’t look very appealing and it tasted just about OK.  I glugged it down and thought about the good it was doing me rather than worry about the taste. The lunch time and afternoon juice was so much better!  This little lot make ‘Minty Sunshine’.  It was meant to be made with oranges but I used a combination of oranges and clementines. Absolutely delicious.  I could drink this one every day.

That was it, I resisted everything else, even the curry the others had for tea.  Plus I managed to cook breakfast and lunch for Harvey so I was a little bit saintly I think.

I was woken up before 7am by 2 of my favourite garden workers.  While I slumbered on (yes, I went back to bed), this is what they did.

They cleared a very overgrown area behind the vegetable garden. They laid out the frame.By the time I was back in the land of the living the frame was up and I was treated to a little pole dance!Shortly after that he net was in place and the raspberries and blueberries were planted.  Yes, I have a fruit cage now and I am very happy with it.

The edging and base are not completed but at least the fruit plants are in the ground and protected from the birds.

I think the fruit cage is a pleasing addition to the vegetable garden. The most pleasing addition of the day though was Lara coming home 🙂