T he weather has been really hot here for the last few days - it was about 93 degrees at at 5:00pm yesterday which apparently beats the hot spell that the UK is going through as well.

After a brief service (with some wry smiles as well as family memories) we laid Lyle to rest early yesterday morning and I'm glad to say these things went as well as they ever can. He was a military veteran, so as well as the kind words of Pastor Stuart, there were also members of the military there and he was given a send off with an impressive (and loud) round from their rifles and Jily's brother was presented with a flag and shells from the guns. Some of Jilly's relatives were up in the area for the first time in many years and there was much catching-up. Though I'm technically on the fringes and a newcomer, I was treated like one of the family and felt very proud to be one of the pallbearers.

Currently I'm looking after the animals (who are, strangely, rather behaving themselves for once!) while Jilly spends some quality time with her sister, but she'll be back later. It's looking a little cooler and a bit more overcast today, so it may not be quite as over-powering. Survived until yesterday without midge-bites but now have a couple of lumps - but nothing too dramatic. I'm here until Monday and July 4th should be okay for fireworks etc.