Bordaloo.......

....first, to Melrose for a shearing by Atilla, my friendly Kurdish barber. He does outstanding things with flaming cotton buds, hot wax straws and cut-throat razors. The end result is an arguably more youthful looking me.......for about 24hours.

Back to Bozzels via Milestone Garden Centre for a sharp device suitable for howking weeds out of monobloc. Handy thing that. 

Next it was soda bread baking with the Spelt flour version voted the tastier of the two I made. What have the Irish ever done for us?

Next, Nancy (she of working from home Tuesdays fame) and I went for a lunchtime walk around the northern edge of the village in the blue sky, and I discovered several more coal chutes set into garden walls. This place really is a chute enthusiast paradise. Keep this information to yourself mind, lest we are invaded by hordes of 'coal chuters'. 

The smell of fresh bread in the house when we arrived home was a delight. Lunch of roast beef on homemade soda bread with lashings of mustard. Quite delicious. Just as I was finishing the last bite, my neighbour appeared with a bottle of 'Jura Bourbon Cask' to thank me for looking after his house whilst he was in Australia for a month. "Any time", I promised. 

Then on m'bike into the great outdoors for some sweet, fresh borders air, until I became wedged behind the Bordaloo wagon for about a mile. I could swear the air seemed less fresh as his van contents sloshed back and forth on the hills. I was pleased when he pulled off the road in front of me. 

My busy day concluded with some scout admin and then an oot-o'-ma-heed Ramen recipe to use up some veggies for tea.

This retirement lark is exhausting.