When I was cutting the grass yesterday I heard the kingfisher for the first time this year. This morning I was wandering around the garden and heard the cuckoo. Seen one a few weeks ago, but this was the first I have heard from home.

Who would have thought, six years ago, that I would be cutting the grass accompanied by the sounds of kingfisher and a noisy little reed warbler hidden yards away from me. (Might be a sedge warbler. It’s the one with the more varied song.)

Also, I forgot to mention that John did most of the power washing, and he cleaned the oven yesterday. Today he is going to clean the brass letter box. Not sure what else.

I didn’t mention the death of Michael Jackson either. It wasn’t my kind of music, but I can recognise that he was a great and talented performer. My most vivid memory of him is hanging his child over the balcony. Acting God, with power over life and death. He must have been so insecure.

Anyway, 11am and all is well. I have the sleeping quarters and bathrooms done and am waiting for the coffee to perc. Life is good.