I’m back – but wishing I had some of my mother’s get-up-and-go.

Vale Andrew Sachs, being swept away by a French lesson and preparing for my offline week.

Eating early before taking memoir sketches to my in-the-flesh writing group.

Thinking about months as opportunities to round things off.

Trying to hear the blackbirds through the noise of a tree being felled next door.

Trying to ride an unsettled feeling and enjoying the end of the ringing festival.

Taking a day out from the ringing festival and pottering to the hum of lawn mowers.

Enjoying the pleasures of Knocklofty on a sunny, cool day.

Rain, glorious rain and listening to Matthew Sweet bringing the archives alive.

Free Thinking. Matthew Sweet and the Archives

Enjoying the scent of roses, sweetpeas, honeysuckle and eucalypt, and looking forward to the prospect of a cooler change.