Monday 10th November 2025

Welcome to Monday.

Again.

And as usual, its a day off the gym, mainly this time because my thighs ache from the standing around in that there London.

I would lie in bed, but a combination of a full bladder and hungry cats meant we were both up before six, and ready for what the world had to throw at us.

Which this very day would be the completion of our very fine new kitchen and utility room.

We were all ready for twenty past eight, Jools having gone for a tip run at eight, when Craig and Jonathan arrived for the final stretch.

Doors on cupboards in the utility room, and painting everywhere else.

Jools does another tip run. I make breakfast, and Craig gets the sander out again to make the walls smooth.

Jools is back at eleven, while outside the predicted rain starts and gets heavier hour by hour.

It was the occasion of the forth church visit for the group, and I had to go into Walmer and Deal to collect two ladies. Made all the more difficult by emergency roadworks in Ringwould, adding half an hour onto the journey they and back.

I pick up Martina from Deal, then another from one of the housing developments near to the Berry, then back onto the main road and another wait at the roadworks.

Rain bucketed down, turning roads and motorways into rivers.

We were behind schedule, so I had to press on, driving into the gloom of mist and road spray.

Finally we turn off at Hythe and go up Stone Street, where vans seem my approach as a cue to pull out at 3mph and crawl along, as though we were not there.

Then down Yocklett's Bank to Hastingleigh, and the final stretch, only to find the main road into Brook was closed due to roadworks, and the detour was several miles via Wye.

We arrived at St Mary's nearly 15 minutes late, but no worry as the warden failed to turn up. So my failure to prepare, as I thought Brian would know it all, were dashed, and I resorted to the information board.

Thankfully Brook speaks loudly for itself. From the massive, squat tower to the reordered chancel with the 13th century wall paintings, it is a remarkable space.

And although we didn't make it to the westwerk, there was enough, what with the "lozenge-shaped window in the south wall of the Chancel, hinting at anchorites.

We were done by four, so back to the car and negotiate the partly flooded six-foot-sixers, back to the motorway at Ashford, then along to Dover and then to the massive jam at Ringwould.

I dropped the two ladies off, then back along the Dover Road, only to be stuck in the traffic for the fourth time that day, taking half an hour to get through the village to home.

Once home Craig and Jonathon were gone, and the job complete, both rooms looking amazing.

I take photos and a video, then to dine on pizza and beer for supper, while we make plans for Tuesday and the grand putting all the stuff back.

I watch lower league football while I polish off some mini cheddars washed down with a whiskey, and the day was done.

The job done.