The last leg of our homeward journey began under grey skies after a couple of problems. the first was that there was no hot water – result of a lightning strike, apparently – and as a result  we got a £10 voucher for our breakfast (which still left us £8 short). However, the food and tea were good. The drive home was pretty straightforward, but tiring. We called in to see Andrew, and he seemed pleased to see us. Left him some sugar almonds. He was considerably better than the last time we saw him, but very loud.

We drove on via the M45 and M1, with the weather improving relentlessly. Stopped for petrol just past Northampton and then got food at Cambridge Services. Dot drove from there, but I was still exhausted by the time we got home, around 6pm, just in time to see Hamilton win the Hungarian grand prix. Didn’t unpack much, but sat in front of TV after opening my cards and presents (from Phil and Joy). A second birthday! Phil had kept the house and garden very much in order, for which we were grateful.

Yesterday we finished the unpacking and I spent much of the time catching up with various things too boring to go into. Dot felt shattered but had to go and meet Angela and A Ethel at the latter’s new home (temporarily at least) in Welborne. Today is much cooler and quite wet this afternoon. I was about to take the car to Kwik Fit to ask them to have another look at the air conditioning, but all of a sudden, in the short drive there, it started blasting out cold air. I decided to leave it alone for a bit and see what happened. By contrast our hot water system seems to have taken the opposite route and is turning out water that’s far too hot. Possibly a thermostat problem. Again, I’m giving it a chance to put itself right, but I’ll probably turn off the system tonight. Emerged from house briefly to do some shopping for Tuesday Group, but Vicky is providing curry.