Tuesday 23rd September 2025

We were told that when we retired, we would wonder how we ever fitted work in.

I can confirm this is true.

Tuesday for example: Jools went to her fitness class, I dropped her off at eight.

I had a dental appointment at nine, so had nearly an hour to kill, so I drove up to St Martin's Battery, just to take in the view and see how the filling in of the inner harbour was progressing.

There were fantastic clouds over the Channel. Some clearly dropping showers of rain. Meanwhile, ferries hurried between the docks to my left to Calais just out of sight.

I had the place to myself, I noted the warning signs wagging a finger at the Anti-social" behaviour that has been reported there.

I can say, one New Year I went up there at sunset to snap the scene, only to find men in the shadows. And me with a camera.

I said, loudly, to them. I am here to photograph the sunset and then I will leave.

I escaped unharmed, neither did I see what they had come to leer at either.

On a chilly and damp Tuesday autumnal morning, nothing untoward going on.

Two Electrostars passed the remains of the old Harbour Station, now the Booking Hall, of course, and that was my cue to leave to make my way back into town for the appointment.

It was a cleaning session. Scrub, scratch and polish.

That'll be £60.

I walked along to Chaplin's where Jools would join me for breakfast.

The early rush was over, so we had the lick of tables. Ordered our food and drinks.

The world passed us by outside, quietly.

After eating our sausage, bacon, eggs and hash browns, we walked back to the car, then drove back home.

It was half ten.

Nothing left to do with the day.

No need for lunch, of course, so we read, listened to music, while outside the rain hammered down. I smiled to myself: perfect for the seeds I had broadcast the day before.

Between showers, I filled the bird feeders, so I could watch them from the window when I was washing up.

We then ordered our huge American double-wide fridge freezer, talked to the builder about when it should be delivered.

Its all happening.

Dinner was Chicken Kyivs, creamed spinach and some defrosted tagine. Might have been leftovers, but it was glorious.

After dinner, Jools packed for the morning, and for me, there was another evening of football, with the League Cup taking place again.

I watched Lincoln outplay Chelsea, but the Blues scored twice in four minutes to cancel out The Imps first half goal.