National Express

That's me that is! Not that i look like the back end of a bus although with the amount I've been munching this holiday I'm aware it's a slippery slope!!

More that I've been driving here there and everywhere over the last couple of weeks (sorry planet).

We had a great weekend youth hosteling in Shropshire, where we walked some of Offa's Dyke. It was spectacular and both the scenery and the wild flowers were glorious.

Then it was off for a return trip to the Essex coast this time with Auntie and Uncle Flower. On Mersea Island we meet up with Mike who runs West Mersea Oysters and had a fascinating tour of the 'processing plant' and a great lunch hearing him eulogise about these strange little creatures. A real food hero, his passion and dedication is inspiring. We also got to do some bird watching on East Mersea, despite being buffeted by wind and rain. We saw grey plovers, avocets, oyster catchers, turnstones, egrets and more. It's an amazing habitat full of waders and sea birds.

We stayed at the wonderful Mistley Thorn just up the estuary from Manningtree. And whilst repeating a stay at a much loved hotel is always daunting it was as good as longed for. Beth Chatto's garden saw us wandering in delight before heading home.

Then it was off to Shepton Mallet and Soul Survivor for me. Worship with 10,000 teenagers was incredible and as it has been about a decade since I attended anything on that scale it was a real treat, not to mention a blessing. It was amazing to see heaven breaking out all over.

Home now before a quick hop to Worcestershire and the parents, yes little flower is definitely a rambler and not just in word!