Some things are improving,

but one of them is not the weather! Yesterday there was an absolute deluge & hail storm - there was so much water there was a couple of inches flowing down the street and deeper in some places; then there were hailstones the size of small marbles plus thunder & lightening. It was quite isolated though which was one blessing.
Last night I got the germinated beans & corn planted and 'tP' finished off the pile of compost + soil, so we have nearly all of our beds operational. The last thing I'll plant before we leave is some cucumber seed - then we'll just trust that we will have veggie plants when we get home.
I also got gifts for our host & hostess in the UK and will block the shawl this evening. The last thing to do is to get packed and make sure all is ship-shape.
After the #1 GS graduates on Saturday we will be on our way!

AND here's the shawl for Carol on the blocking board: