Jenny and mum have spent ages in the garden. Jenny’s gradually doing more than Mum (compared with last year, Jenny has more time and Mum is tiring more quickly). It’s looking pretty tidy now, but as it’s my job to take the rubbish away that tends to build up before I get round to it. We’ve also made a bit of an effort to clear and paint the far conservatory – looking better, and we even ate out there last night. This has been half term holiday, and we initially planned to sail. In reality, though, we’ve only managed a few hours on the boat (but there’s been little wind, anyway) as we’ve sorted though other jobs. It was a good experience putting Bechod back on the water two weeks ago, though.

One of my jobs (creating a patio for Martin and Jude) has gone a bit off the rails. Found a hole that shouldn’t be there, so work is suspended pending investigations by someone cleverer than me. On the other hand, Bob and Sallie’s gate, commissioned nearly two years ago, is now complete and hanging. Alison, a church friend, has been a great help with these jobs. Wise advice, dogged approach and thoughtful discussion certainly help me to get on! We developed a wonderful system in the last couple of hours gate building, as between us we flattened the batteries of two cordless drills attaching panels to the heavy duty frame. This followed a more or less full day’s work in the sun – we’re both pretty red – and efficiency was all. We’d had enough by the time we finished, but are very pleased with the result.

Next week (Monday 2nd June) I start work full time until the end of term at Abbey Hill School. This is the secondary school most of Jenny’s pupils move on to, and should be fun for a while. I worked there the last couple of days before half term, but I’m not quite sure what job I’m going to be doing – something to do with maths, I think.

Last weekend was busy for social reasons. We shared the wedding celebrations of Steph and Steve (or Colin, as we discovered he is really called!). Steph is an old friend from when we first arrived in Darlington, but has since moved down south. On Sunday morning and lunchtime it was a baptism and barbecue – and an excellent do.

I’m sitting here at 2-30 on Sunday morning. It is really warm, and I thought this would help me back to sleep. I’ve started yawning, so I’ll finish for now.