17-Jun to 23-Jun 2012

Sun 17-Jun: Oh dear! How can you tell I'm late for the weekly darts and pool match at The Legion? Already had a call on the mobile from John as I cycled into The Broadway and could see David and John looking up the street for me. Not often I'm late, and a miracle John was there on time! Another win for David at the end of the evening, but as we popped our heads out to cycle back there was heavy rain and lightning. Since John had already driven off we caught a taxi... but discovered later I'd left the pool cue in the back! Hope I can get it back tomorrow.

Mon 18-Jun: Looking like high rise flats from the 1960s, here's the latest addition to the allotment storage facilites... two cabinets full of trays from Burleigh Hill Playschool they were slinging out and Becky managed to acquire for me. Flippin' heavy, but the trays alone would cost me a fortune to buy new. Aiming to stack one on top of the other in the greenhouse, take out every other tray so I can see the contents, and hopefully solve my ongoing problem of finding that bit of wire I know I saved 'cause I thought it might come in handy, but when needed can never be found!

Tue 19-Jun: Somewhat under pressure with a deadline to get the kitchen walls prepared and painted with two coats of emulsion before the tiler arrives on Saturday, get the feeling this week isn't going to be the most exciting of my life. So it was into automaton mode, radio on and working away while the sun shone from a clear blue sky. At least today the first coat of paint went on about half of walls, mainly where the tiles are going. Most had been newly plastered, but quite pleased with the bit I'd so far filled and smoothed myself... worried the repairs would show through, but actually smooth as silk! Quite pleased with this blue we'd chosen, nice and bright. Of course the whole plan might go t*ts up if, as the tiler said he might do, he calls to come sooner this week, having finished his current job early.

Wed 20-Jun: Look what arrived through the letterbox this morning... the postcards from Connor and Paige! Only a few days after they arrived back from Minorca on Monday. They tumbled through the door after school yesterday with Beth to tell us all about their adventures, Paige brown as a berry, Connor bored 'cause "all we did was sit on a beach".

Thu 21-Jun: Spotted this dragonfly, the first of the year, in a brief pop up to the allotment late afternoon after a day working away on the kitchen walls. Looked like he'd just emerged from being a nymph, maybe from the allotment pond.

Fri 22-Jun: Off across the fields on a rather muddy amble with Jazz to Woodhurst this afternoon, stopped in my tracks by this rose bush rambling over a garden wall, all pink flowers and rose coloured buds. Must include more roses in the redesign of the back garden, now delayed until next year

Sat 23-Jun: What are those flippin' tiles doing just lying there, not stuck to the wall? Wasn't the tiler due this morning to tile the kitchen? Well, yes he was... but unfortunately he forgot to stick it in his diary when we arranged things three weeks ago so didn't turn up! He has got a bit on his plate at present, not just busy but getting married shortly, so we fixed up for another attempt the week after next.