Tuesday 24th June 2025

We have been married for some seventeen years, or will be in a month or two. And in that time we have not bought much for the house. However, our plates and bowls for everyday use are getting fewer: we have two bowls and three side plates, and the dinner plates were cracking. So, we should buy some new ones!

We looked online, but really wanted to feel them in our hands, so we would go to Dunhelm in Canterbury first, then to a place in Ashford second.

After coffee.

After breakfast.

After second coffee.

It was cool and breezy enough to put a jumper on. I don't, but Jools did, so sometime after ten, we set off among the crazies driving.

We did arrive in Wincheap safe and sound, we turned into the car park, walked into the store, over to the dining section, and pretty much bought the first set we saw: white with gold trim. Looks fancy.

We paid.

It had taken less than ten minutes.

It wasn't yet eleven.

So back in the car to drive back to Dover, but on the way do some light orchiding.

We park beside the road, and looking up the steep bank I could see spikes of pink and purple.

Here we go.

We climbed over the fence, then struggled to stay upright as I checked spike after spike.

Of course, going up is tricky, but getting back down again, especially stepping on bare chalk gravel, not knowing if your footing will hold or not.

I found no hybrids, but was some phys for the day. So, we got down the bank, climbed back over the fence, then drove home for an early lunch of Greek-style souvlaki pork, spicy rice and salad.

It were good.

But it wasn't yet midday, and we had been out, had lunch. And the afternoon stretched up before us.

Jools did crochet. I wrote, listened to music, and come three, made coffee and cut another two slices of the tart.

Tart!

Jools went to the cinema with Jen. I listened to the last half hour of Test Match Special as England made 371 with 5 wickets and 15 overs to spare.

Yay.

I had oatcakes for supper, but no wine or beer.