Sunday 1st November 2026

A few months ago, Jools booked to go on a crafting retreat in Hitchin.

Hertfordshire.

Where hurricanes hardly happen.

Apparently.

She was given a list of materials, and videos on that YouTube to watch, so for the last two months she has been watching and beading.

Not just beading, but beaded crochet.

She is going to make a box, or something, and a dodecahedron, which somehow I spelt correctly correctly first time.

Then, on Saturday, she did loads of gardening and stuff, so was tired and achy, so she decided not to go to the gym early Sunday morning.

Ian did, though.

While I got up and drank coffee, Jools had a shower, packed and got her stuff together, ao that when I returned from pumping lard, I would take her down to the station to catch the quarter to nine train.

Meaning I would be home alone for three and a half days!

I had parties arranged, obviously, and a tanker called round to drop off several gallons of vintage whisky.

In reality, once I had taken her to Priory station, I came back via Jubilee Way, without incident, back home to put the kettle on and have a brew.

Now, I must remember to feed the cats and not burn the house down.

I listened to RadMac until ten, then half an hour of Huey. Then, looking out at the lawn, I saw that most of it needed a trim.

Best get it done.

Down to the shed, mangle the mower out, then wrestle the box on the back, and have a good tug.

On the starter chord.

It spluttered into life, just like me, and in ten minutes the job was done, and that was the hardest task of the day.

It was warm enough to sit outside with Scully, and look at the birds on the feeders, making sure they were ready for winter.

And this was the first day of winter. Possibly.

Anyway, I need to turn the calendar over.

Instead of a meal, I bake a small batch of shortcakes, which were all done by just gone midday. So, I have a shave and shower to allow the cakes to cool, then down to make a brew and quality test the baked goods.

Good news is that the first one passed, but thought it best to have a second, just to make sure.

As I could lollygag in front of the TV all day watching fitba, there was just one game on, and that didn't kick off until half four, so I found something to watch on the i player, and tried not to fall asleep.

It was Liverpool v Arsenal, a top drawer game. On paper. Though its played on grass, Brian. And was pretty good. Won by Arsenal with the only quality move of the game. 1-0.

The evening was watching stuff on YouTube and listening to music, going to bed just after nine having had a glass or two of vin rouge.