The excitement is subsiding somewhat. We had a peaceful, ordinary day yesterday, pottering inefficiently forward, bit of art, bit of resting. I feel somewhat restored.

Nephew Theo, now back in Denver, has sent his copy of the Group Photograph we always take at the end of Games Day. I’m holding the Glenisla Shield, Rachel Miles has the Mandy Duncan cup, and my husband has a Golden Scots Pine, pinus sylvestris aurea, with which the children had just presented us because – on top of everything else – our Golden Wedding anniversary falls about now.

My job was to provide a picnic lunch for all those people to eat at the Games, and I did well. Sausages, barbecued chicken from Tesco's, three salads made by me, buns, crisps, lots of beer and cider. Everybody had enough to eat, I think, but there weren't grotesque amounts left over which is always the danger.

Theo has also put an album of his Games photographs on line. I’ve pinched this one, Sam in the arms of Thomas-the-Younger who now owns him. “Can I have your sheep?” he asked. Who could resist? Ketki is wearing a KF I knit her many years ago, and Thomas’ brother James-the-Younger is wearing the Little Boy sweater recently discussed here.

Comments: I can’t help with Wombles. I know they lived on Wimbledon Common, and vaguely thought I recognised one in that knitted toy.

Back to business

I am about 80 rows in to the centre of the Princess. Kathy, (comment yesterday) I am enormously encouraged that you have got so far with your centre in so little time. When I’m a bit further on, I will read again with attention your post about the adjustments you made when you thought it was coming out too big.

When I got up this morning I found that all the stitches on the left-hand side had come off their length of securing yarn, as if a ghostly cat had come in the night. In fact, I must have pulled it out yesterday evening under the impression that I was freeing only the next stitch or two. Catastrophe! I’ve picked them all up, although some have gone back a row or two. For the moment, I’m going to leave them on the very fine needles I used for the rescue operation, well equipped with point protectors.