Monday 28th July 2025

People ask how do we get shots of butterflies. Well, 90% of it is luck, 10% knowledge. Thing is, there is a period between the butterflies take to the wing in the morning, and the half hour it takes for the sun to warm their flying muscles up, and for the sky dancers to have their first meal of the day, when they are less flighty.

Leave it an hour and they are whizzing about all over the shop.

Much like the common or garden Jelltex, who is very lethargic until after the first coffee, and he is minded to go to the gym where half an hour's cycling will warm his leg muscles up!

It was Monday, and I promised this was the day routine would kick in, what with no football or cycling, so we would return to the gym.

After coffee we went, and found the car park already busy, though more with swimmers and those going to yoga classes. Upstairs, the gym was pretty empty and both bikes were empty.

I set one up then cycle around the Pyrenees some more, whilst Jools went swimming.

I was listening to a podcast in the café when someone came over to say hello.

I don't look out for folks in Dover, I didn't grow up here, and its been 16 years since I worked at the box factory, so I just see faces and people.

It was Jen.

A good meeting.

She was off to yoga, and I was done, and we agreed for cards that afternoon.

Once Jools was out and dressed, we drove to Tesco where we hunted and gathered, in and out in twenty minutes, so back home to put it all away and to have breakfast.

It was between getting back and having breakfast I saw the Peacock butterfly, posing wonderfully. So, I grabbed my camera, and stepped closer on foot at a time, taking shots with each step, until it was almost in the lens.

Good shots.

So, to breakfast, and a lazy morning.

I had a shower and shave, Jools did some work in the garden, and was soon time for lunch.

Corned beef, cucumber, onion and pickle seeded rolls.

Splendid.

And then off to Jen's. Monday is to be the regular card day. As she and John play dominos with friends on Tuesdays, sometimes Wednesdays. And then has yoga classes and so on.

Its all go, being retired.

And John is dealing as we walk in. Jen makes brews, and soon eyes down for three hours of fun and frolics without the hint of vulgarity.

Jools and John are the big winners.

But is fun.

At least the trip home is now quiet now that schools are out for summer, so we get back without incident. Feed the cats. And I prepare dinner of chicken and salad with yet more pasta salad.

I made a big bowl this time.

The evening was spent listening to the radio and me reading the latest edition of WSC. Season preview, the best issue of the whole year.