Early start for drive up to Beadnell. No problems and arrived at 10.am just in time to unload, pick up the children and head off to garden at NE. All well there but enormous growth of mystery plants in border. Cut them back enormously but too spectacular to destroy completely. Spent much of the day cutting hedges, doing borders. Managed to find a guy flailing the hedges in the village who came and did the whole drive which was a huge bonus. Right at the end, I ...

Forgot to write about the wonderful Bomber Command War Memorial we visited. So inspiring. Every time we went past it was thronged with people of all ages and nationalities reading the stories and looking at the photos that have been left there. Very moving. Today we went to the gardens of Westminster. Opened-free- a couple of days a week along with the museum and Chapter House. The gardens are a wonderful peaceful oasis right in the centre of London Hard to be...

Men's triathlon today. M Ian and I went whilst H went to the Tadescant garden over Westminster Bridge and to Westminster garden and Museum. All had great time. We managed to find a sport where we could see the track and the Big Screen so were able to see the whole event Really really good atmosphere with everyone supporting all the athletes but when Team GB got Gold and Bronze the sky was lifted off the park!! Had to walk back as they shut the Tube stations n...

Thoroughly enjoyable tour of Buckingham Palace State Rooms then tour of the private gardens. Lovely sunny day and H managed to negociate a lift on a golf buggy so I hitched a lift!! A good rest for the feet after all the walking. The rooms were very impressive. The Diamond collection stupendous and the gardens delightful. Couldn't believe how quiet and secluded the we're in the centre of London. Beautiful. Bought an umbrella from the shop as a momento. Supe...

M and Ian went in heavy rain to watch the women's Marathon. H and I waited til the rain eased and went to pick up some food. In the afternoon Ian and I went to the Tate for a couple of hours. Very interesting Turner exhibition in particular. Lovely meal at the very buzzy Ivy in the evening.