Getting Ready for Autumn

I think my first words need to be a hearty congratulations to our beloved queen. Queen Elizabeth II, our longest reigning monarch, long may she reign.

Picture from the BBC

It's definitely here, Autumn. The weather's already changed, you can feel it in the air, but for me the clincher is our daughter starting the new school year. A bit later than usual this year, but off she went this morning after the obligatory first day back photo.

I have to tell you about the caterpillar infestation. You could see in my last post how they had ravaged our green vegetables, well they literally ate themselves out of house and home! We came downstairs to a patio covered in hundreds of poor little caterpillars all desperately searching for more food.

Over population leading to a lack of resources. It was a bit icky, but a bit sad too. I've never seen anything like it!

 Now for a complete change of subject. Books, I love books, I love to read, but I generally only read a book once. I think because there are so many amazing books that once I've read one I want to move on to the next. I am now making an exception and rereading some books from my teenage years.

My mum used to like books by the author Jean Plaidy (amongst many others) and I tended to pick books up after her. I remember looking for a Plaidy book some years ago and being told they were out of print. Then in The Works the other day... look what I found...

 It's the Tudor set (except for the last in the series). I couldn't resist them as it was 3 books for £5, they needed to come home with me!

 These books tell the story of the Tudors, starting Henry VII after the reign of the Plantagenates and war of the roses. I think I found some of my love of history from reading Plaidy's books as a child. Obviously they are fictionalised, but it helped me learn my kings and queens and gave them more of a 'real' feeling. I'm trying to persuade my daughter to read them, not much interest on her part though.

Take care
xxx