(And random photos.)

That was a strange night. I found myself unknowingly involved in the football celebrations at 00.50 hours, and all I was doing was going to the loo. I’d gone to bed around 21.30, and unusually, had to get up during the night, which I did. I didn’t put any lights on, because there’s no need. The Temu light in the WC pan comes on when you get too close, so you can see where you’re going. Climbing back into bed, I looked at the time out of interest and saw it was 00.50, and then I dozed back to sleep against the sound of three dynamite explosions and some fireworks. Apparently, the Greek team, Olympiakos beat someone else with a ball somewhere, and are now the best at their times tables or something.

Then, on waking up again at the more reasonable time of 5.30, the first thing on my mind was, I must give you my recipe for rice. Don’t ask me why, but here’s how I do it. A cup of rice, washed etc. Into a saucepan with a tightly fitting lid. Add salt if you want, Neil adds turmeric which turns everything a yellow colour, including the worktop. Then, add two cups of boiling water from the kettle. Pour that on, put a sheet of tin foil over the top, press on the lid, seal the foil around the edge, place on the stove. I put our ceramic hob on the low setting of 2.5 and leave the pan there for 20 minutes. Then, I take it off and let it stand for five minutes, no peeking, and that’s it. Saves a lot of steam which saves a lot of black mould on the walls in the winter.

Why I thought you should know that, I have no idea, but that was the kind of night that was last night/this morning, and I’m not sure I have yet recovered, because of the weird dream that went with it all… I’ll have to save that for another day and for a time when no-one is listening, just you and me…

Share on Facebook

Thank you to everyone who replied to yesterday’s post and suggested nail varnish remover. We’ll give that a go just as soon as I track some down. In the meantime, here’s a photo of the harbour that Neil took yesterday.

As you can see, blue skies. It was a fresh morning after an overnight thunderstorm that happened between 4.30 and about 6.30, apparently. I didn’t hear a thing, but the plants were nicely watered in the morning. Talking of plants, and with not very much else to talk about today, here’s a photo of a lizard on a wall. Look closely…

It’s there, honestly. I cropped it in so you might see it better in this version:

If not, then I’ll get on with my day and leave you with another random photo taken just up the lane. I call it ‘A Bird on a Path’ because it’s a picture of a bird. On a path.

Share on Facebook

(But mainly in.) A couple of photos today, taken when I was last wandering the lanes and road enjoying a fresh, almost October like day. The other was taken right opposite where I am sitting as I wrote this, at the kitchen table. Harry hasn’t quite finished his Lexus, but I have finished my project. So, rather than do nothing, I’m sitting wittering to you while he’s doing things with paint and plastic. On which note…

If anyone has a remedy for fingerprints, can you let me know? I’ve asked at my modelling pages on Facebook and tried various things, but nothing works. It’s a white car with a couple of black smudges, you see, and they are acrylic paint on shiny plastic. You can’t scratch it off without damaging what’s beneath, white spirit doesn’t work, and nor does any of the household cleaners we have here, nor water. I had some success with window cleaner, which worked on my test subject, part of the plastic frame called a sprue, btw. That took the same paint off, but it didn’t work on the body piece which must be a different plastic. Anyway, I have yet to try Dettol as recommended by a kit builder, but any other ideas, fire away.

As for being out and about, the weather is getting back on an even keel, and there’s still some greenery about. Maybe not as much as a few weeks ago, but still a pleasant sight to see. Having said that, this photo was a while ago.

This one, though, was taken on Friday, I think it was.

I did my mile route, which is up through the village to the museum, out onto the main road there, and back down. The 1.5-mile route starts the same, but I go right to the top and down the road. One takes me 20 minutes, the other about 30, and half the distance is uphill. Now and then, I head further up the road, but I’ve yet to make it to the bridge so far this year. That takes longer and I am always keen to get back to work, especially at the moment because I’ve finished a first draft and am editing.

Share on Facebook

It’s a bright and sunny morning this morning, but yesterday afternoon was a bit of a damp squib. It didn’t rain for long, and it wasn’t hard, but it did make a nice change. There’s something very pleasant about sitting inside with the windows open on a warm day listening to the rain, and later, something about the fresh smell that follows. Of course, it depends where you are, and if you have an umbrella or a hat. If not, fear not, your local bar owner is always willing to help you out.

A cloudy and slightly damp day didn’t put visitors off coming for the day, nosing around and going away again, nor did it stop stayers enjoying their stay, or me writing my words. I finished another first draft yesterday, so I can now start on the really fun part – writing it all again. I can start that as soon as I stop this, and then I can look forward to a music lesson and model-building session, and after that, some more pointless TV, but, by the looks of it, no more rain.

Share on Facebook

Today’s challenge was to find 10 photos of plants and post them. So, here they are. I thought I’d end the week on a colourful note with these photos, most of which were taken in the last couple of months. Things are still looking pretty green out there, though the long grasses are dying back. There’s a slight breeze today, and the thermometer has started off at 20, so it feels a little chilly, but at least the dust has gone.

As usual, my weekend will consist of writing and not much else, though I aim to get out for a wander. Have a good weekend.

Share on Facebook