Very striking!

I do love summer.  Everyone else can complain about the heat:  I don't care!

Now that I have that off my chest, here's to Iain, who celebrated his 47th birthday on Friday.  Many more years, my love, and good ones!

Myles made a fire-poker for Iain.  Engarde!  He and Dodie also gave him several interesting bbq implements.

When we made our dump run on Saturday (it is becoming our weekly entertainment, to drive out to the Brudenell waste site, and every week our lot is a bit neater as a result) we surprised a doe and fawn on our way back.  Click the pic to see them a bit better.

There was some excitement at the lake during our absence:  a tree on Roger & Vicki's lot was hit by lightning.  This seems to happen about every 20 years, as far as I can tell.  When I was about 16 there was one hit, and Roger recalls one hitting shortly after they bought the place - which would have been about 20 years ago.

You can see how the bark has split, all the way up the tree.  The blackened area toward the bottom is tree paint that Roger applied to try to keep the bugs out of it.

The lightning entered (or exited - who can say) the ground at the base of the tree.

 We haven't had much rain, but the roses are all in bloom!

Sheila was up for the weekend, and had a good time, she said.

Relaxing with a cuppa.

 On Sunday, Iain tried out the sword/poker.  It worked perfectly...good job, Myles!