Wednesday 24th June 2026

Somehow it was midweek again.

Another weekend.

As very day is a weekend now.

Jools asked me if I miss work.

I miss the people, and yet when I left many soon-to-be-former-colleagues asked for my contact details so we could keep in touch. And yet, not have called, written or texted.

So it goes. So it goes.

It was to be possibly the hottest day ever here in England.

It was certainly warming up quickly by the time I rose at six. Sleep is hard to come by in these humid times, so a lay in of an hour is good.

Jools is making coffee, so I get dressed and go down.

The world is still screwed and the reflecting pool is green and peeling in Washington.

I watch the highlights of the overnight games, with the exception of England's, as there were no highlights.

Jools goes for her class, so I remain here, in charge of herding the cats.

I have breakfast. Another brew, and go to sit on the patio until it is too darn hot.

When Jools returns, I take the car and drive into town for a haircut.

It must have been six weeks since my last, and yet it didn't seem that long, but needed taming. I park behind the church, and walk to my preferred shop, barbers, take a seat, and in ten minutes a chair was free.

I tell him that I need to be done by half eleven, as I have an appointment: could be do it?

Yes he could.

He was like a blur, shaving trimming, snipping. I also had a shave, and as he promised he was done by twenty five past.

I go back to the car, drive round to ASDA, park again, then walk through the back lane to the surgery, and after checking in I was told to go upstairs.

I had no sooner sat down and exchanged the traditional greeting: isn't it hot today?

I go in where the same nurse was waiting.

I have to do your other arm this time, she says.

Any pain last time she asked?

I roll my sleeve up, look away. And the deed is done.

See you Friday, I says.

And with that, I am out, down the stairs and back to the car. Along Maison Dieu Road to Townwall Street and up Jubilee Way to home.

All done.

Jools goes to the physion in the afternoon, so Scully and I watch two episodes of Who Do You Think You Are. I do, she snores, happy with her lot in life.

Jools returns.

I cut two more slices of tart, make brews and we have an early supper while the heat of the day begins to fade.

For the evening there was Switzerland v Canada, which ended 2-1, and was pretty engaging. Scotland would play Brasil an hour after I go to bed, and they needed at least a point to progress.