Fine light

Gorgeous, gorgeous swim this evening. The water was plenty warm enough for me to do without gloves and just use protective slip on shoes rather than swim socks. There was just enough swell to keep you honest. The evening light was grand, especially over towards the harbour. The gannets were diving into the sea all around. And the company - KG, W and H from Dornoch, not seen for months - was also great. Best of all, KG solved our oven problem. We've asked for an engineer to come and look at our (under warranty) oven because after the power cut it would not switch on. KG mentioned that she often has a problem with her oven after a power cut. It sets itself to timer mode. On return home, I checked this out ....and...guess what....there was a little icon for the timer mode right by the digital clock. A bit of twiddling and button pressing and all was fine. Oven switches on in the normal way. So I've saved myself a call out charge (like calling out the engineer to switch on your printer) and Mr A has saved himself a train fare up here at a point when he wants to be focused on getting over his cataract op. All good. Even excellent. I bloody love that woman. It's amazing what you talk about in the North Sea.

Meanwhile, this place has been like Piccadilly Circus. Not only did we have the painter here, day 2 of 3 and good progress being made, but the man who made our shed base has now made us two new gates from larch. See the extra for the front gate. And see here for the "before" (of the bed and of the gate). He'll have to come back tomorrow for a few other bits and pieces that need doing, but basically we have two new gates in situ. He's a good worker as is the painter.

Astonishingly, I managed to concentrate and work all day, despite the chaos going on around me. Sometimes when you just have to concentrate, even though conditions are not brilliant, things fall into place.