It is looking very springlike outside now – blossom on the apple trees, catkins on the willows and the daffodils out. Unfortunately, our big plum tree has had no blossom on it for the last two years. We used to get a huge harvest every year, but sadly no longer. I think the problem may […]

I can’t say I am that enthusiastic about having to use a wheelchair for the next few months. The cats have different ideas however. First it was Saphy. Then Amber. A few minutes later, Saphy came back and ousted her sister by climbing up the back of the chair and dropping on her from above. […]

Last time I was semi-incapacitated (with my arm in a sling), we had to live on a combination of R’s cooking and ready meals. Now don’t get me wrong – within his area of competency, R is a good cook and I wouldn’t knock him for trying, but his range is very limited. Also it […]

R has gone to Paris for a few days. Saphy decided to investigate his suitcase. She looks very disapproving of the idea that he was going away without her. This seems to be a common cat behaviour – many years ago I had packed my suitcase for a two week holiday, and Schrodi decided to […]

I suddenly heard a squeaky meow noise and a flurry from the hall. There was a trail of feathers across the floor in R’s bedroom, but after investigating extensively under the bed, I couldn’t find the bird. It was perched on R’s trophy pole (his collection of lanyards from various conferences) – a seemingly uninjured […]

This is Lucky this week – nearly six months after we “acquired” him. He is lying on his back being brushed on his tummy with a bottle brush (bought for cleaning out my blender). This is his favourite occupation after eating and scratching people. He is still a very independent spirit, and now the weather […]

Anyone who reads this blog may have noticed that I haven’t said much about walking of late. I try not to be downbeat about things, so when I mentioned hurting my shoulder, I didn’t say that I also hurt my ankle in the same fall. My left ankle has a bit of history, starting when […]

I took the opportunity to throw away the awful uncomfortable mock leather chairs that came with our dining room table, and replace them with some old mahogany one I inherited from my grandmother. The seat covers were a bit knackered though, so I reupholstered them in some rather nice material with thistles and daffodils on […]

The squirrels are out in force at the moment as spring gets into full swing here. I saw five at one go outside yesterday – but that was at one time, we have an indeterminate but large number in the garden Here is one waiting on the window sill for its morning allowance of seed. […]

Sometimes I just don’t believe R. I’ve lived with him for nearly 30 years but he still never ceases to amaze. Consistently over the years he has asserted many many times that he doesn’t like tartare sauce. Yes he has definitely, definitely tasted it, and he definitely, definitely didn’t like it. So I never served […]