The summer garden at the cottage is a mass of white and pink, with the odd shades of purple thrown into the mass of green. The brilliant yellows of the spring garden have faded and the hot days have yet to turn the lawn yellow. The fountain is finally working after a few hitches caused by me reading the volume of pump incorrectly and we haven’t quite settled on what lighting (if any) is appropriate. Polly thinks its the best water dish she has ever had, and she is enjoying lying amongst the ornamental grass that is thriving around the pond. We will need to see if goldfish are a useful addition.

Dad is recovering slowly, more patient than I would have expected, with much of his humour still in evidence. He is managing his stick with panache, and it may be a permanent feature even if it isn’t necessary. Sitting down to lunch, I did manage to smash through the patio chair, which emptied a fair amount of wine over the table. Terrible waste.

The days are full and busy with friends passing through the cottage. Lunches and dinners at favourite spots and the table on the patio like a magic revolving platter of food and wine. Terry gave me new Reidel wine glasses which I was forced to try. Excellent.

Our anniversary lunch at Jordan was scrumptious, the poppy soufflé well worth the wait, and the rack of lamb simple and delicious. The skies preened in blues and the vineyards were green and full of promise for an abundant harvest.

Terry patiently accommodated the flurry of mails and calls during our meal as the crisis in Juba unfolded. The team there competent and calm as the chaos escalated.

Concerts at the amphitheater an integral part of summer in the vineyards. Jazz from a bunch of young artists good enough to everyone dancing on the lawns between pick-nick rugs. Music from Andrew Loyd Weber under the stars, trees silent as we listed to the amazing voices of the soloists.

Collected Mum from the airport for her stay at the cottage, the deck under the trees refuge from the summer heat. Sunset found us at Hesta’s new house for a meal full of colour and flavour. Terry’s pâté’, berries, cheeses, fresh beans from Mums garden and a loaf of olive bread to accompany the vanilla notes of the Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon and crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

Polly took my new jogging shoes for a walk in the vineyards. The day gold green soles an environmental hazard. Mark pointed me to a small, specialised running shop in Durban road, Bellville. They didn’t have anything to fit Polly, but after discussing my peculiar jogging style and blister prone feet, I have a pair of Ghost.