under another sun

A warm and lovely day, which was mostly spent in the garden. Thank God for it. Took a few idle snaps with my iPhone, read things and ate things and sat in the garden listening to the Lord of the Rings audiobook as Lorraine did embroidery. All rather restful if it were not for the virusy backdrop. Beth out for a bit seeing some pals at bargepole's distance. She came back in a melancholy mood. It is tough for her. A delivery curry tonight from the Shahi, however, it put a smile on my face at least. Below unfurling ferns, islanded Brian, and another hover fly.

Back working in the garden again today, Lorraine and I decided to move some of the pebbles around, as it was all looking a bit too busy. These tweaks done, suddenly the design began to look really nice, and the garden suddenly looked much better. Also watered the plants today, felt like a magician, whenever I sprayed the stones they went from dusty white to all kinds of colours.  Carried two pots with acers in them onto the pebbles, and redistributed pots in the gardens. Tom here today too, and he helped me carry up the glass top to the table we had in the garden, to put into what will be our craft room.

Not much work to be done, and what there was, slightly directionless. However it became clear that I would at least work until Thursday, (i.e. my four day week). Have the sense that things may be drawing to a close as the agency's workflow is a bit slow. Concentrating on having nice walks at lunchtime, going further along the canal than before. I was rewarded by finding a stretch garden bordered by  wall covered in tiles and what seemed to be historical inscriptions. An older man, who had been tending the trimmed trees, made his way back into one of the houses, and I think it must be one of those ongoing slightly obsessive art projects. The evening good fun. Off to the Marquis, in Bloomsbury where I met some old agency muckers for a few drinks. Great to catch up with gossip in general, and with these folks in particular. Keith back working where he and I did a stint this time last year. Pat in town on various bits of business, Noyala now MD of the agency in Tavistock Square, an...

A spot of gardening today, and felt the weak sun on my face and tried to imagine being out there in the warmth. Lorraine and I look at our decking, removed an old metal child's swing frame bolted to the side of the house in the garden passage, and, with the help of Clem our next door neighbour, reattached a bit of lattice to the fence, cut back overhanging ivy, and fed our compost bin with things. Also discovered a hellebore flowering dingily in the back, almost completely obscured by the laurel bush the evil next door cat sits under.  Our first flower. Then off in the afternoon for a walk and a talk around the park, and the purchase of hot cross buns. Then home to cook roast chicken and eat it with Beth and John, who popped in briefly between band sessions. And so to bed, Lorraine having to be up hideously early. Still slowly reading Kokoro to each other.

Below in and around the Normura family house and garden. A samurai street, garden scenes and interiors. Bottom koi will be coy.