Monday 15th November 2010

Last autumn, when the wind blew, the leaves from our mature tree which dominates our back garden, did not fall in our garden, but covered the lawn of one of our neighbours. Foolishly, I believed this would happen this year. Sadly, no. Jools looked out into our garden and saw drifts of golden leaves, and knew they had to be collected. So, after some delay I did go and help clear the leaves away.

The forecast was for rain, and then lots more rain, followed by rain with extra rain on the side: so, we headed to Deal whilst the going was good, our plan was to park on the seafront and then walk to Sandwich along the shingle beach. We had a couple of chores to run in town first, so after parking up we walked down one of the narrow lanes to Middle Street, to be met by a square with a pub at opposite corners. I snapped away, and then we headed towards the High Street and shopping.



Deal is a purty town, and popular, which can only go to explain the people jam that we encountered; the best thing was to walk on the road avoiding the people standing and talking on the pavement.

Walking back to the square with the pubs, Jools said that she was thirsty and did I fancy a drink? So we headed into the Saracens Head for a pint and a bag of crisps. It came as no surprise when we agreed that the walk was not needed, and what might be better was a drive back home and a snooze.



I lay on the sofa after another beer to accompany lunch, and was joined by two kittens, and it came as no surprise, being full of beery goodness, slept through the football on the radio. I did wake up in time to watch Norwich play on TV, only for a clown of a referee send off our star player, and Reading our 3-1 half time lead to draw 3-3.



I had made a curried pumpkin soup, and spicy pumpkin cake with a pumpkin we had been given, and we tucked into some of each for dinner. And it was good.

And on Sunday the rain did continue to fall. And so our plan to go for a walk with our friend Frances was cancelled, and so we made do with talking, and then I went into the kitchen to make lunch; roast chicken, stuffing, roast potatoes, vegetables and a larger Yorkshire pudding. It was good.

After Frances left, I retreated to the sofa for more football to watch Sunderland and Chelsea swap shirts before their game, which is the only explanation for the 3-0 easy victory for the Black Cats.

Outside, the rain continued to fall. And then some.