Working out and sweeping up

Ah. Sunday. Up early and had breakfast, fried tomatoes mushrooms and egg on toast. After Lorraine had finished some sewing we drove to the gym and did about 50 minutes in there. Felt knackered by the cross training half hour as I was pushing it a bit. Then a few weighty bits and home where we decided to clear away a huge pile of garden waste and drive this to the tip. A proper deforestation of bits of bay tree, buddleja and conifer as well as the Christmas tree left over from Christmas. Took a few visits to the recycling centre in Seaford. The last journey Lorraine made alone as there was no room in the passenger seat, while I concentrated on sweeping up all the detritus left behind. 

Steve came by shortly afterwards for a cup of tea and to pick up some seedlings that he and Lorraine had been talking about. Having spent a couple of weeks in Portugal with a friend, and having Mike stay from Holland, he said he was happy to spend some time alone. He described all the clubs he belongs to... Including clay pigeon shooting, bowls, and more, plus the music project he is working on, and next week he is doing his part time gig of exam invigilation. His retirement is full. 

Spoke to the Tobster this evening, who was interested to hear about Simon. He seems to be able to hold on by his fingernails at school for the time being. He says teachers of his vintage are just keeping their heads down and getting on with what they can, as the system dumbs down around them. Meanwhile Romy has been in the news again, and a beautiful photo of her looking down at the city in the Globe and Mail.  

Lorraine left at half eight to go to Ashford.  I had a short mooch down by the sea. A thick sea mist and the sound of a fog horn coming from Newhaven, made it seem all rather mysterious and lovely.

To bed, with a blameless cup of camomile tea reading my biography of W.B. Yeats. 

Below Brian at the back, getting dog's abuse from a magpie on the path in the back garden, Calliope ignoring it all.