Thursday 13th August 2026

Thursday.

And we have been home nearly a week. There is a little of the post-holiday blues setting in, so mundane things like going to the gym are ever more of a drag.

But we were up at ten past five. The cats fed, Scully tested and jabbed, then coffee made, so that we could be out by five to six.

This is the start of a two day mini-heatwave, with temperatures expected to top thirty degrees both days, and as usual, the air conditioning in the gym doesn't reach to where our two bikes are.

But it is what it is, and we both get pedalling. The plan was to get close to forty minutes again, although I thought getting there on the second session back was ambitious.

In the end I did thirty five. as hot and bothered, and 60% of the pod listened to.

There is still enough food in the house, so no need to go shopping, except for some milk, which we'd pick up later.

Home again before seven, the top patio still in shade, and cool enough to sit outside for a while.

We both have showers through the morning, but as we had forgotten to put the afternoon tea date on the calendar, I made sausage sarnies for lunch. It was only after we had eaten both sarnies did Jools remember.

Afternoon tea is rather old fashioned, and was never a thing again until a decade or so ago, or not that I was aware. It has finger sandwiches, small portions of cake, a clotted cream and jam scone, as well as a pot of tea.

All served on a fancy set of mini-shelves. Sean and Ange had invited us, as Ange had won the meal for being super fit and winning at being able to plank the longest.

It was also her birthday, though she didn't tell us until we were back home.

As it was over thirty in the shade, the beach that was left at high tide, and parking in the surrounds was packed. And as we walked to the hotel, the sweet smell of sun lotion wafted by, bringing memories of childhood days spent on the beach.

We walked on, and found our friends sitting in the foyer, so we walk to the deserted chop room where tea was to be served.

We caught up, chatted and talk, as it always does between two ex-servicemen, to military matters and so we hijack the conversation.

But two hours pass.

Our parking is running out, so we say goodbye and we part on the prom, we walking to our respective cars, us to drive back onto Townwall Street then back home.

It were still hot.

And Friday would be hotter still.

Yay.

So, an ice cold beer was called for.

And then another.

Cats were fed, Scully jabbed and tested.

Life goes on.

No football again, but the Football League season starts Friday night, so there'll be football most nights.

A hot an humid night ahead, and sleep would be difficult. Again.