Lumberjacking before porridge

Opened the blinds this morning to find that someone had dumped three Christmas trees in our front garden… then I remembered - no, it was me. I nipped out in the dark having heard a rumour that there were trees at our nearest big bin. I must say, it’s less embarrassing in the dark. Is this an obsession?

AND there was a plastic bag, so I couldn’t wait to get out with my grabber and secateurs. I went out before my porridge!

Well, last night I rewarded myself with a chocolate eclair (two, actually) and a glass of wine (though not concurrent) because I deserved it. Yes! I managed to assemble one of the shoe cabinets!! They’re as tall as me, with four swiveling drawers, two compartments in each. It’s the most complicated flat pack I’ve ever done.

I’d been studying the diagrams on and off all day. I find that I have to be in the right mood to tackle such things. I then surprised myself and plunged in. It took me about four hours. But it fits beautifully into the space we left for them in the walk-in wardrobe. I open the door and admire it each time I pass.

And so a glass of wine was sipped, while I was reunited with my hat and slippers. We bought two wonky, clunky wine glasses made by deaf folk in Arusha, which were in the luggage, so it was all rather nice. JR, after initially being resistant to the faux-leopardskin throw (was she expecting a real one?), took to wearing it like a cloak around the house.

Meant to say yesterday, as I was listening to Radio 4, and heard Judith Tebbit, the woman who was kidnapped by Somali pirates from an idyllic beach hut in Kenya, not a million miles from our idyllic beach hut... Her husband was killed. She’s the first interview in this podcast.

So today is just puttering about at home. Doing the washing, even washing again the stuff that was done in Arusha, but not ironed. Apparently you have to iron everything to kill the ‘mango bugs’ from the grass that get into the clothes, and thence into you. Eeeek!

So I’m afraid it’s the old ‘plonk-a-flower-on-the-dark-glass-oven-top’ shot. With added dust.

I think Sherlock beckons this afternoon while I do my physio exercises on the sofa.