Steady, people, steady ... Lord H took the day off today and we've spent it doing a "Day of Delights" at Pulborough Brooks. It was great. We did the tour of the part of the reserve where most of the birds are in the morning, and I managed to catch sight of a chiffchaff (which I only realised as the expert told me so - I wouldn't have recognised the darn thing otherwise, believe me ...), a kestrel, six zillion Canada geese and a swan in flight. Amongst other excitements ...

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I was thinking about making soup; can you make soup in a microwave? I imagine so, I’ll give it a try, but my lovely vegetable peeler is in the burnt-out flat, so is the blender. When Pete and Joan’s family asked me what I wanted from the house I said I’d like the peeler; I felt it was already mine, and it would always remind me of my time there. I spent eighteen months looking after them – that’s longer than a lot of marriages; mine only lasted three months! The first one that is; by the time I waited for a divorce I’d decided not to go through it again, so when I’d had enough of hubby no.2 it was just a case of saying, ‘Don’t be here when I get back from work!’


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I've discovered today that the cover for the UK mass market paperback is now up on Amazon. My name got bigger I notice! Though actually I think it's just that the book got smaller.


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One of the few benefits of having an overnight stay while on business is the occasional chance to spend the night in more luxurious surroundings than one would expect. This is one of those times.

Thanks to block bookings around Birmingham, we have found ourselves at Wroxall Abbey estate near Kenilworth. A sprawling 17th century mansion house, which was once the country home of Sir Christopher Wren. Nowadays transformed into a spa resort with highland cattle loitering in the pastures surrounding the manse. I wonder what Sir Christopher would have to say about that. Or would have revamped the place as if he was on Changing rooms?


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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7015289.stm
This link shows a fire in my building...on my landing! When I came home from work last night I couldn't believe the sight that met me as the lift door opened, and the smell. It was horrifying because of the recent scare we had with Amazon's flat going on fire. I immediately looked towards my son's door and it seemed as I left it.

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That Sudafed Vapour Plug was quite good last night, I thought – I certainly breathed more easily, though I didn’t sleep that much (too much Lucozade, I imagine …). I’m definitely using that again. An early rise this morning, as Lord H kindly gave me a lift to work as I’m up in London this evening and it’s easier to walk to the station, rather than have to worry about the car.

Still, it’s weird to be at work on a Thursday though – I’m such a creature of routine. I think it’s confused the rest of the office too. The fun news about today though is that the boss brought in chocolate to cheer us up post-post-Freshers’ Week. Hurrah! Apparently it’s the new process in dealing with negative feedback – anyone who gets anything bad said about them gets chocolate. Almost worthwhile being irritating to get that feedback then! ...

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Goodness, how "Surrey" I sound today - in spite of having what seems like pins and needles lodged inside my nose and throat. I have lunched at Wisley with Jane H, Ang, Michelle and assorted children (well, there were two of them, so that's an assortment to me). This is what Ladies Who Lunch do here in the Shires when we're avoiding Foot & Mouth and the dreaded Bluetongue - we all go to Wisley and wander around the gardens and admire the new Greenhouse, and all very relaxing it was too. And I must say how brave the Gals were in actually walking along the same paths as me when I was wrapped up in a fleece, scarf, fingerless gloves and a woolly hat. Never say that I am not the epitome of Surrey style. (Brief pause here to check "epitome", but yes it is right ...). Not to mention the snorting. Did I mention the snorting? However, Jane H has very sweetly bought me a Sudafed breatheasy plug which will help me sleep at night apparently - thank you, Jane! I never even knew such things existed, but then again I don't get out very much. I don't want the Police knowing where I am ...

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I am blogging from my sukkah.It has WiFi. ....

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Well, I breezed into the new/old job and felt as if I’d come home; there were all these people still there, and they remembered me. I just slotted right in and felt soooo comfortable, it was wonderful…as though my space was waiting for me to come back.



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I love poetry and yesterday woke up with a half composed poem rattling around my head. Below is the finished result. Hope you like it.


Derbyshire


I love to stand on rugged tor

And stride across the empty moor

With wind in hair, and sun on face

For me there is no lovelier place.

Where dry stone walls tumble down

Wooded hills towards market towns

Broad valleys swathed with velvet grasses

Inch towards the hilly passes.

From peaceful Hope to sparkling Dove

The broad sweep of the land I love

The peace and tranquil embrace

Of each and every lovely place

Stays with me when home I go

With images of rain and snow

And scenes that delight the heart

When the sun cleaves the clouds apart.

Lingering in my minds eye

With a beauty that can make me cry.