This week on Almost the Weekend, Mr & Mrs Almost are in the middle of a heatwave and absolutely nobody is coping.

The knee is slowly improving — the support has come off for the first time and the dull ache is becoming more manageable every day. Running outside in thirty seven degree heat is not happening. The Race for Life is three weeks away. We are going live on the day. Strap in.

Honey has a cough. A very goosey, very dramatic cough that had her sleeping on the bed for two nights with a Dyson fan and three very tired humans. She is improving. She is playful. She is eating. She barked. All good signs. We worry too much.

It was Father’s Day weekend — and Mr Almost did very well. Harry Potter Knight Bus Lego, chocolates and a lovely day out to Strawberry Fields Tea Room at New House Farm in Horsham. Beautiful setting, farm shop, lunch in the sun and a pick your own strawberry field right there. No dogs allowed. We pivoted to the Cider Tap instead. No regrets whatsoever.

At the Cider Tap we had a mixing board — Wobblegate, Hawkstone, elderflower and raspberry, a zero point five percent raspberry and a Vimto slushy that divided the table. On a thirty five degree day it was absolutely the right call.

Almost Blooming this week was at someone else’s garden entirely — Mr Almost’s mum’s decking around her mobile home is aging fast. Rotting steps, a water table from the nearby lake and a whole summer of repair work ahead. The bonsai trim is still in progress. Before and after photos coming to our socials. Watch this space.

We’ve been watching The Four Seasons Season 2 on Netflix — Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, eight episodes, renewed for a third season and absolutely worth your time if you liked the first.

Tipple of the Week is Shloer White Grape — in a wine glass, sparkling, alcohol free and surprisingly convincing. Very refreshing in a heatwave.

And Almost Edible this week is fish and chips from the local chip shop — large cod with light fluffy batter, a saveloy, a jumbo battered sausage and enough chips to feed a small village. Chip shop chips. Go on, try saying it three times fast.

Pull up a chair. You’re one of us now. 🎙️

This week on Almost the Weekend, the mystery is finally revealed — Mrs Almost has been offered a new job, handed her notice in and starts on the twenty second of July. Walking distance from home. Two new jobs, one household. We are absolutely thrilled.

The knee is not improving. A low impact bike session felt great, then the Peloton tread happened and now it is worse than ever. Knee support on daily, Vitality health insurance through the new job means physiotherapy is an option and the twelve point weekly challenge is officially underway. The Race for Life update is coming. We will get there.

Our son has returned from twelve days camping in Wales — and walked up Snowdonia along the way. Ninety mile an hour winds at the summit, four to five hours up the hardest route, video updates along the way and back home not looking too bad for it. Very proud.

We’ve just finished Clarkson’s Farm Series 5 on Amazon Prime — all eight episodes in one go and the last two had us genuinely emotional. Jeremy Clarkson is doing something really important for farming and this series in particular does not hold back. Series 6 is confirmed. Take some tissues.

Tipple of the Week is Guinness — tried for the very first time. The widget. The pour. The surprisingly smooth taste. We did not expect to like it. We are now planning an Irish pub visit.

And Almost Edible this week is Embers in Brighton — breakfast cooked on an open wood fire in the lanes. Black pudding sausage, thick cut bacon chops, the best fried bread either of us has ever tasted, cowboy beans in a stoneware pot, eggs in a skillet, filter coffee with free refills and a croissant with vanilla butter and fruit jam the size of a small child. Honey came too. Book ahead — it fills up fast.

Pull up a chair. You’re one of us now. 🎙️

This week on Almost the Weekend, Mr & Mrs Almost have a big announcement — the Almost the Weekend Facebook group is officially open. Search us up, join in, share your weekends and let’s have some laughs together.

Mr Almost is into week two of the new job — the commute from London Bridge is working well, the stationary collection is growing and the large desk has multiple screens. First impressions are very good and it feels like a great move.

GCSEs are in their final week — three exams left and someone in the house could not be happier about that.

The knee is not cooperating. Back in the gym on the low impact bike which felt surprisingly good, but running outside is not happening right now. Race for Life is under six weeks away. The challenge has been set — bike, uphill walking and a full report next week.

Almost Blooming had a magical week — the tomato plants are double caned and showing beautiful yellow flowers which means fruit is on the way. And the azalea bonsai has flowered for the very first time. Pink and white. At least four or five flowers. In our little Zen area. We genuinely could not be more proud of it.

We’ve been watching Death Valley Series 2 on BBC iPlayer — Timothy Spall, Gwyneth Keyworth and a very welcome Gavin and Stacey reunion with Melanie Walters and Steffan Rhodri. Light hearted crime drama set in mid-Wales, binge worthy and highly recommended.

We also went to see Masters of the Universe in 4DX — chairs moving, wind in the face, rain on the nose and Idris Elba as Man at Arms. Stay to the very end for the post credit scenes. It got a round of applause. We were almost ready to join in.

Tipple of the Week is Options Hot Chocolate Winter Spice — baked apple and cinnamon, forty three calories and a genuine surprise hit. Available at Sainsbury’s.

And Almost Edible this week is a Chinese takeaway — sweet and sour chicken balls, crispy chilli beef, foo yung, chicken noodles, egg fried rice and satay skewers. Ten out of ten. No argument.

Pull up a chair. You’re one of us now. 🎙️