Sanders Blog

Sunday, 21st August, 2022

Up early for Gatwick North Long Stay Carpark. When we get there nothing has to be done. Number Plate Recognition does it all automatically. … Flight left just 20 mins late and was comfortable. We were in Row-1 which means on & off early. I took a shot of the cockpit while we were on the runway.  Looks like my Office with files and  Post-It notes.

Didn’t realise how lovely not needing to wait for luggage can be. Straight out for a taxi although there was a bit of a queue there. In the centre of Athens and our hotel in just over 30 m ins. Lovely greeting from the hotel staff and a nice suite for our stay. Bottle of wine on the table. Present for Pauline – scented candle – and  everything ready for a happy stay.

Too hot to go out walking so we drank wine on the balcony with some crisps. I did go down to the Gym for an hour or so. Hadn’t really slept much in the past 24 hrs so quite tired.

Went out for Dinner but tiredness and too much wine meant we walked home and went to bed, crashing out immediately and not waking until … 7.30 am. Well it is 5.30 am in UK time.

Monday, 22nd August, 2022

So not up until 7.30 am just in time for the BBC Radio 4 Today programme at 8.00 am/6.00 am. Outside it is already 28C/86F and very humid. Tea and morning housekeeping – checking calendar – Mum’s 99th birthday today – emails, Twitter feed, Bank Account, Covid Survey, etc.. Didn’t really want Breakfast but felt obliged. Now contemplating a lazy -ish first day.

First an 11 mile walk. The route we took last November around the base of the Acropolis in 22C was much harder this morning in 35C. Much harder and busier. Love the sound of cicadas. Takes me back to our Greek home. It is an essential soundtrack to the Mediterranean. The strange thing is that I don’t think I have ever seen a cicada even though they filled the island air with their noise in the baking hot, Greek Summer

Even went in to a dress shop. A dress shop! An actual, physical dress shop!! Not an online order. I went with it and was happy to agree with my wife that the dress was 1. Too big; 2. Too short; 3. Too heavy; 4. Too cheap (looking). Result! Saved 25 Euros!

I’ve been allowed to watch Man. Utd. beat Liverpool tonight. The only problem is that kick off wasn’t until 10.00 pm Greek Time and didn’t finish much before midnight. I am quite happy as a night owl but Pauline isn’t. Her friend, Christine, has been chatting to me during the match and Kevin contacted me to talk about what we’d watched in different countries over 1000 miles apart. Good fun. Like the banter.

Tuesday, 23rd August, 2022

Went to bed at 1.00 am and woken at 6.00 am by my phone. Not a minute to lose when you’re 71! Monitoring the Athens Airport arrivals. Early out in 29C/85F. Actually, it is quite a while since we were here in August. The overnight temperature didn’t fall below 26C/79F. Thank goodness for air conditioning.

We went out for an early walk and went past this Hotel Omiros. It is in Apollonos Street and over 40 years ago, we stayed here on our first trip to Athens when it was called Hotel Aphrodite. Hard to believe we stayed in this budget hotel in 1981.

Aphrodite was a 3* hotel and suited our poor teacher budget in those days. As we became more affluent, we progressed to the 4* Hotel Electra and, in the past 20 years, we’ve been enjoying the 5* Electra Palace graduating from an ordinary room to a suite of rooms. Wherever we’ve been, we have stared out on this, unchanging scene of a huge outcrop of rock on which the Acropolis stands. We know it so well but, 40 years on, suddenly realised that a head emerges from the rock.

It was so humid today that walking was hard. My shirt was so heavy by the time I got back to the hotel that rivulets of water were everywhere – not a pleasant sight! We spent the afternoon in the gym and swimming although all our good work was undone by time spent on the balcony with a lovely, ice cold bottle of Tsantali Makedonikos from Northern Greece.

Really tired today. Had to use mind over matter to get things done. Pauline thinks I’m mad anyway. I am, of course, but in a nice way. Spoke to an old friend of the Blog who we knew in Greece and haven’t seen for almost 10 years now. Tonight we’re going to eat Dinner at an old favourite restaurant – To Paradosiako (Evgenia) We’ll compare it with our new discoveries.

Wednesday, 24th August, 2022

Lovely start to the day. Early and very light breakfast. Out for a walk around the base of the Acropolis.

It is a route I have taken many times but there is always something new to see. Took about 2 hrs. I was soaking by the end of it and needed a shower and a change of clothes. Coffee in our Suite and a chat with the lovely Romanian cleaners. Conversation with Kevin – more serious than the normal banter. Some home truths.

Contacted by John Morris who is my age. He is about to receive a second hip replacement. He is also about to have a second serious melanoma removed and has a serious problem with diabetic retinopathy which meant he lost his driving licence. Also contacted by David Roberts who has Prostate Cancer at my age. He is going with John Ridley to visit John Holden from my year who is living in Sheltered Accommodation. Hearing all of this, I feel incredibly lucky to be in my current position.

Just as we were preparing to sit in the sun with a bottle of wine, thunder & lightning struck again from nowhere. We watched Netflix with our wine. Later I went in the Gym while Pauline swam … until lightning struck the local power distribution unit and rendered half of Athens dead and in darkness. My treadmill jolted instantly to a halt. In the pool, Pauline was left in total darkness. It took 20 mins of darkness before the power came back on. Julie contacted me while I was waiting and I had time to do Wordle and send my result to Mandy in Florida.

Thursday, 25th August, 2022

Had a weird dream last night. Kevin and I talked quite a bit yesterday. Previously, Chris had sent me the August 1972 Wedding photo and Kevin mused on what it would be like to reassemble the people 50 years on. Last night, I was woken by a knock on the door as the cast of Kevin’s wedding photo traipsed through and assembled on the balcony of our Suite

I was not as cool in my reaction as I would have liked. Mind you, nor were they. Still, it was not a normal moment.

An early breakfast this morning before the walk. If I never eat another breakfast for the rest of my life, I will be happy. Never give me bacon & eggs for the next 50 years!

Breakfast is in the rooftop terrace and the buffet has everything known to man plus many things that aren’t. One is encouraged to over eat.

After a session in the Gym/Pool this afternoon, I did my husbandly duty and went clothes shopping for an hour or so. Nothing was chosen. Nothing was bought. Everything ended OK.

We went out to our all time favourite restaurant in Athens and had Moussaka with Peas & Artichokes. White wine and goats cheese to finish. Wonderful. Quite tired tonight. I’ve walked 13 miles which has been quite draining.

Friday, 26th August, 2022

A lovely day which started with a light(er) breakfast overlooking a lovely view of the Acropolis …

…  and advanced to a 2hr walk which took us down through the Plaka to Odos Apostolou Pavlou. We walk on to Monastiraki, Ermou, Mitropoleos and Nikis Street.

The walk takes us just over two hours. Today it was done at 10.00 in the morning in 30C. By the time we’ve finished, my shirt is heavier than me and that’s saying something. A cup of coffee in our hotel suite and then to the basement. Pauline in the Pool and me in the Gym. Just 90 mins now and I’ve fulfilled my commitment for the day. That means I have completed 11 miles walking this morning and I am exhausted. 

Today I’ve had contact with lots of old friends. I’m surprised how happy it makes me. Nigel sent me a photo to prove he’s added to his skills. As I said to him, he never swept our flat in 1971. He pointed out that no one swept our flat in 1971 which I had to acknowledge. 

Julie sent a photo of her first sunflower. North Yorkshire becomes South of France … for a day. Kevin and I exchanged banter about the events of our lives across the past 50 years. He thinks he has expertise in Greek culture. He doesn’t but I’ve let him delude himself. Contact from across the years really moves me although I’m soft like that.

Feel really happy and optimistic tonight. Everything is possible. I’ve always believed it. Life can be so good!

Saturday, 27th August, 2022

Lovely, hot morning. As we walked out around 9.00 am, the temperature was 30C and the battle began. As we walk through narrow, Athenian streets, we enjoy the temporary cool of the shade before emerging in to the furnace again.

We are quite early and many tavernas are touting for the Breakfast business. Under the foot of the Acropolis, traders are setting up their tawdry stalls selling jewellery, fake antiques, busking and begging. What a hard, cheap life! Even so, tourists seem to fall for it every day.

Just as I am tiring and thinking I’m getting to the end, there is Monastiraki and mayhem to negotiate.

When we do get back and have coffee, my legs begin to seize up. I have to move them again soon and go down to the Gym. Pauline swims for 40 mins and I use the treadmill for 90 mins by which time I am dead. Today, I am juggling my phone on the treadmill as Kevin wants to talk.

Back from the Gym, I peel my shirt off and wring it out. The joy of a shower.

Sunday, 14th August, 2022

Unbelievable start to the day. Exactly what we would have expected on a hot, Greek morning. Didn’t fall below 22C/70F last night and we reached 27C/81F very early. We did an early walk. That takes 2 hrs. Met lots of nice regulars en route. Home for coffee and then jobs around the garden including harvesting peppers. There is something really nice about picking, cooking and eating your own produce.

Julie messaged me to say that she was digging early potatoes for her Mum to take home with her. Kevin messaged to say he wasn’t. 

The peppers are being roasted with olive oil and home grown Oregano then eaten cold in a salad with Italian tomatoes from the local farm.

Been having some lovely Text-Banter with Christine, Pauline’s old college friend. She is a Chelsea supporter and they are playing today. It is a lovely thing to do and makes so little demands on one. I’m talking to people in North Yorkshire, Rochdale and Milton Keynes. Pauline is talking to Florida. She always was more exotic than me!

Monday, 15th August, 2022

A hot, sunny, sultry, sweaty day that really saps the energy. Had work in the garden to do in readiness for going away. Will we get any rain. Not today, anyway, so watering is one of the jobs along with trimming the hedge. Later, the 2 hr walk was really mind over matter.

I spend so much time out of doors these days dressed in shorts and tee-shirt but I am rarely bitten even in Greece. Pauline smothers herself in insect repellent but I just can’t be bothered. I may have to change my attitude. I’ve got some really annoying bites recently and they’re driving me mad. At least my latest ONS Survey test came back to say I am positive for antibodies at a higher level. Quite reassuring before the scrum that is Gatwick Airport!

One of the people I have admired for most of my life and who has lived inside my head since the 1960s was born 100 years ago this year. Like me, he was born and brought up in the Midlands. Like me, he was an atheist and, like me, he tended to make the sadness in life inform his writing. Philip Larkin was born in Coventry in 1922. Unfortunately, unlike him, I did not go to Oxford. He went on to be Head Librarian for Hull University. It was a job that allowed him the time and space to be a poet.

I first came across him in Grammar School days but then increased my knowledge while at College with lecturer, David McAndrew and even more when I spent a University year studying 20^th Century Poetry. My tutor there was Larkin’s Publisher and Biographer, Harry Chambers, Founder of the Peterloo Poets Publishing House.

To celebrate Larkin’s centenary, Simon Armitage, the Huddersfield born poet and current Poet Laureate, has been presenting a reappraisal of Larkin on BBC-R4 in Larkin Revisited. What I like about Larkin is the everyday nature of his subject matter from which his intelligence and perception draw out meaning. Today’s choice is from the 1964 collection: Whitsun Weddings.

Talking in Bed
Talking in bed ought to be easiest,
Lying together there goes back so far,
An emblem of two people being honest.
Yet more and more time passes silently.
Outside, the wind’s incomplete unrest
Builds and disperses clouds in the sky,
And dark towns heap up on the horizon.
None of this cares for us. Nothing shows why
At this unique distance from isolation
It becomes still more difficult to find
Words at once true and kind,
Or not untrue and not unkind.

For Larkin, what should be the easiest thing to do such as talking in bed after the most intimate of human intercourse, in reality, becomes still more difficult to find words both honest and kind. The relationship, and he had many, was turning perfunctory and sterile as he feels his life is doing. It is a damning, hopeless, helpless view of life.

Tuesday, 16th August, 2022

The morning has started beautifully. At 7.00 am, gentle, warm and soft, sweet rain began to fall and has now been falling for 2 hrs. How wonderful! This is our first meaningful rain for over 2 months. Looks like I will be in the Gym this morning although warm and wet is a great way to exercise.

I will be trying out one of my pairs of new trainers that were delivered yesterday from Skechers who make the sort that suit me. They are like walking on air.

Yesterday, amid the furore that is breaking about fuel price increases, I received this email from British Gas who supply us with electricity and gas. Lovely people! Always liked Bristish Gas!

I have to go for my 6 monthly eye check-up at the hospital. It involves eye drops and cameras and being driven home by my wife because I can’t see for a couple of hours. I always dread being told, Well, your eyes have deteriorated badly since your last visit and you must inform the DVLA immediately and hand back your Licence. Not being able to drive would be a killer for me but both Julie in Yorkshire and John Morris in the Midlands have suffered this indignity recently. Fortunately, both have subsequently got their licences back but there is no guarantee.

PASSED!!! In fact my eyesight is a little improved. I am one of those weird people whose eyesight improves with age rather than deteriorates. The optical muscles slacken my focal length to a point where I hardly need my glasses at all. That’s a relief!

Wednesday, 17th August, 2022

Warm outside – 22C/70F – but noticeably cooler than over the last couple of weeks. We had some rain yesterday and and are forecast for more today. We will see but it will be very welcome. We are flying to heatwave Athena very soon and we are preparing for that.

Pauline is in charge of packing. Anything other would be a disaster. Because we are only away for 8 days or so, we have decided to avoid as much airport chaos as we can by surviving on ‘Carry-On’ Luggage. Fortunately, we are each allowed two, carry-on bags and clothes for Athens are minimal. You don’t really need much more than shorts and tee-shirts. I can delegate that to the servants.

We will drive to the airport and park. The car park is booked. We have already Checked-in online and printed out our Boarding Passes so going through Security to Airside is all we need to do about 3hrs before Departure. I’ve booked an Executive Lounge to have some comfort while we wait. Because we have no Hold Luggage, we can’t take liquids through security. First stop on Airside will be Boots to buy Aftershave, Toothpaste, etc.

The flight is 3hrs 40 mins – a lot quicker than in the early 1980s when it was well over 4 hrs. We will take the Metro to Syndagma and walk down to our hotel. I have been looking at things to do while we are there.

We are going to take the new, Coastal Tram to Glyfada on the Athenian Riviera. We were last in Glyfada in about 1988. I suspect we might see some changes.

National Inflation hit 10.1% today but what I didn’t realise is that regional inflation is much higher. In Burnley, inflation is 13% and, even in leafy Greater Manchester areas, inflation has been over 12% for some months. Apparently this is because poorer areas tend to spend more on staples like bread, milk, cheese, eggs and ready meals, etc which have increased in price much more than other daily items. I used the BBC personal Inflation Rate Calculator and found our inflation rate was slightly below the national at 9.0% which is heartening.

Thursday, 18th August, 2022

Lovely warm and sunny day after yesterday’s rain. Everything is ‘coming back’, heaving a sigh of relief, putting on a spurt before Autumn. Teachers will hardly believe there are only two weeks left of the Summer holidays. Children will be oblivious for a few days more until parents talk about new, school shoes and uniforms to grow in to. A lovely, little, Polish girl I see on my walk can’t wait to go to ‘Big School’ and it reminds me how excited I was to start Grammar School in September 1962. It was 60 years ago. Where were you then?

A friend sent me this in my Breakfast mail. Almost made me laugh, particularly, HGBM. I sent it to Kevin who is anal enough at the moment. Hope it makes you smile.

Although I’m off to Athens shortly, I’m currently juggling dates for Our Friends in the North. We travel up on October 16th and back on 21st so, effectively, we have 4 full days to fill. I have to be in Oldham for the 18th which is Mother-in-Law’s anniversary. Helpfully, Kevin can do any day. He is disappointed I can’t make the College 50th Reunion but I am in Florida and he says it is too late to relocate all the men in time. Maybe next year.

Here, a couple of days of some rain and the grass is greening up already. The trees take longer to react and premature Autumn is showing in August. Be interesting what the world will look like when we return from Athens. We should have lots more figs and tomatoes to ‘pick’.

Friday, 19th August, 2022

The forecast said, Hot and full sun all day. The weather said, Rain. The weather was right. I was just outside picking tomatoes when the heavens opened and the garden drank again with a huge sigh.

Everything is geared to going away. Refuse is collected on Mondays so we had a trip to the Tip to take our own. It is quick – about 5 miles away – easy and a pleasant service. The workers there are delightful people, keen to advise and help to carry things from cars. This is so different to the service in Surrey and Yorkshire where it was almost inquisitorial.

Returning home to check electrical items to go – 2 x iPad, 2 x smartphone (How could we manage without them?) 1 x Kindle, Shaver, 1 x multi-socket with plug and USB sockets. Make sure iPad is set up with VPN to disguise our Banking apps and access UK media and Netflix. Nothing is ever left to chance. Can you imagine a week away anywhere and not able to access Sky News, BBC Newsnight and BBC R4 Today?

Can you imagine the xenophobic Brexiteers reaction to the latest news from the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay, who is in need of thousands of more workers to deal with the Socia Care crisis. Normally, the jobs would have been filled by European workers with good English but Brexit has persuaded them to go elsewhere. Now, Barclay is exhorting NHS Recruitment Managers to go out to India, Pakistan and the Philippines to seek workers. The sub-continent’s English Language skills are notably lower than those in Europe and their culture is markedly different. The lesson is, Be careful what you wish for!

I can hardly believe I am posting this. Diane is going through a nightmare. If you knew her backstory, you wouldn’t believe how hard this is going to be on her. Hollinwood Crematorium, September 1st. I have been there so many sad times. For those of us who have chosen to shut ourselves off from our past, this is a real wakeup call. Our past will come back to haunt us and rudely fracture our present!

Saturday, 20th August, 2022

A day of warm but intermittent sunshine. Doesn’t matter. The day of travelling is always mad and busy. There are so many things that can’t be done until the last minute and I have to walk 11 miles as well.

We use Easyjet for Greece and BA for USA. We flew one of the first ever Easyjet flights when we needed an emergency flight back from Athens in the late 1980s. It is still the most convenient for Athens particularly if you want to go from Gatwick. We buy the best seats and can carry on a large bag of 15kgs each. Makes you wonder why anyone needs to pay for Hold Luggage. Easyjet go from North Terminal and BA go from South Terminal so we get to know the Airport quite comprehensively.

Today, because we are only taking Carry-on luggage and we’ve payed for Premium Security Lane access, we can nip through to the Executive Lounge without having to get stuck in Bag Drop queues and Bag Check queues and miss out on all that stressy, sweaty mass of people anxiously hopping from foot to foot. The service only costs £5.00 each. Bargain!

We are going at a busy time of year because we have so many things to fit in this year and we know that the Airside concourse will be busy, noisy and smelly. I can’t stand the throat-challenging odour of all those false fragrances being tested and bought in the Duty Free shops that really aren’t duty free.

Actually, the afternoon has been one of pure blue skies and hot sunshine. I just hope there is some rain while we are away. The garden should survive for quite a while …..

Sunday, 7th August, 2022

Screamingly beautiful day of hot sunshine, clear blue skies and pleasure. We did another very hot and long walk. My problem is that I am averaging 11 miles a day for a year. I just can’t back down. Someone told me a few months ago to just let it go. It is not in my nature. I cannot let go. That is what drives me on. 

We drove down to the beach for a while. It was beautiful. There were people on the sands in places and quite a few cooling off in the sea but so much was just empty and available.

I like ’empty and available’. I like to control my relationships. I have spent the past few days talking to old friends across a 50 year divide: John Ridley in Yorkshire and John Morris in the Midlands, Julie and Nigel on the Yorkshire coast and Kevin, Tash and Chris Tolley in Leeds even Kevin Sellers in the most Northern tip of Scotland. The internet, social media and smartphones have made this possible and given me real enjoyment. We all have comparatively so little time left, it seems pointless not to remake these connections now.

After a lovely, warm day of perfect weather which I have tried to use to the full with lots of exercise, trips out and jobs around the garden completed, we cooked and ate our meal outside in the garden – griddled swordfish steaks and homegrown green salad followed by homemade caramel-yoghurt ice cream. The skies are suggesting there will be a repeat performance tomorrow.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Dylan Thomas – 1914-1953

Just writing the words makes me weep but they are such an important reminder to us all that we cannot afford to hold back, to wait, to make excuses. Do it now or forever regret.

Monday, 8th August, 2022

The day has opened hot and sunny … again! In mid afternoon, we are reading 27C/81F and sweaty. Sainsburys by 9.00 am – pointless.

Down to the beach before families descend. It was looking absolutely gorgeous today. The Marina was busy and optimistic.

The sky was reflected in the sea. The sea was warm enough for many to be swimming – not us.

A quick walk in the sunshine and then home. Just in time to pick up messages from Christine thanking me for a celebratory bottle of champagne and sending me a lovely photograph of the past revisited.

August 5th, 1972

Wished David Roberts in Rochdale a happy 71st birthday and talked to John Morris who is suffering with melanoma and the need for a new hip plus his driving licence back after failing a diabetic retinopathy test. I almost feel healthy. My wife says I look beautiful in my 1972 photograph. Of course, she is right. We all look young, optimistic and reasonably happy. I had high hopes for the future.

Back in the here-&-now, going to mow, feed and water the lawn before the hosepipe ban comes into action at the end of the week. After that, I will have to do everything in darkness. Of course, as you will know, everything is more exciting in darkness!

Tuesday, 9th August, 2022

Seems a strange topic for such a beautiful day but time cannot be held back. The theme today is Life and Death.

Though lovers be lost love shall not;
And death shall have no dominion.

Dylan Thomas – 1914-1953

Death is never final. Although I am a committed atheist and have no consolation of a religious afterlife, we all live on in others – in their thoughts, in their memories and their mementoes. We measure our own lives against those who have gone and wonder how much more time we have ourselves.

The news is led today by the death of Olivia Newton John at the tender age of 73. The second half of her life was spent fighting breast cancer. As we are 71, that turns one’s thoughts immediately to self and longevity.

On this day every year, we particularly remember Vivienne, Pauline’s cousin who died 5 years ago having suffered breast cancer years ago and then had cancer return. We think of her husband, Richard, in whose memories she lives on every day. These are not easy things to talk about even from a distance. We all carry images around in our heads of those who have enriched our lives. They bring happiness and sadness in different measures.

Late last night we had a text from a very old friend – a girl who taught in our school in the early 1970s. Frank and Diane were good friends. Frank went to our school as a pupil and then returned as Head of Maths. Diane taught in the craft Block alongside Pauline. They left to open a private school in Shaw and, as we moved south, our only contact has been emails and Christmas cards.

Frank and Diane sold their business and retired around 5 years ago. They moved to Australia briefly before returning to set up home in Uppermill. Frank is a fitness fanatic and a cyclist. He would go on long bike rides and proudly post up his routes.

In mid-June this year, Frank & Diane walked 13 kms and climbed 2,500 ft. Within two weeks, Diane noticed that Frank was walking strangely, his balance deteriorated and he was immediately diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. Just 3 weeks on, he is in palliative care in hospital in Bury with Diane sleeping on a camp bed at his side. Their whole lives turned round in really a matter of days.

The fragility of life is stark and terrifying. We have no knowledge or control over its duration. What we can know, however, is that our time and relationships are precious. We should use them and embrace them to the full. We are all a long time dead as Philip Larkin – born on this day 100 years ago – wrote in his poem, Next Please.

Always too eager for future, we
Pick up bad habits of expectancy.
Something is always approaching; every day
Till then we say ….

Only one ship is seeking us, a black-
Sailed unfamiliar, towing at her back
A huge and birdless silence. In her wake
No waters breed or break.

Philip Larkin: 1922 – 1985

Wednesday, 10th August, 2022

I’ve done something right for once. Last year, price inflation was becoming an increasingly obvious event charging down the tunnel of time towards us. I hadn’t specifically identified the price of power but I chose to fix our Tariff for Dual Fuel with British Gas for 2 years. Ours lasts until the last day of 2023. Maybe the market will have settled down by then. We can always hope.

Going to be another scorcher here and I’m more concerned with cooling the house now. Sleeping with air.con. on is so much more comfortable. We are lucky to have a modern property with modern insulation and airflows but it does get quite hot in the Summer.

We have 22C/70F here early on and have reached 32C/90F at peak and staying there until 10.00 pm. We were at Aldi for Almond Milk while I bantered with friends on my phone. Went on to the Greengrocers for gorgeous cherries.

Home for coffee and, of course, we went out walking at the peak temperature. The landscape, pre Hosepipe Ban, is arid. The sometime lake is not a lake.

Really look forward to walking round a lake again. I know I will do it soon as seasons move on automatically.

Had great news this afternoon. Kevin is clear of cancer something which has been hanging over him for a week or two. I’m really pleased for him.

Thursday, 11th August, 2022

Very hot night that hardly fell below 22C/70F. Ironically, I had one of my best sleeps for weeks. I went to bed happy and woke up happy. Strange dreams though. I never normally dream but last night I was walking round a lake in a park and I was eating barbecued spare ribs. What does it mean? I hardly ever eat meat either …

Out early to Sainsburys. At 9.00 am, the temperature is already 26C/79F and forecast to hit 35C/95F. This is my sort of weather and the reason I enjoyed living in Greece so much. In the 1980s, we would walk miles across the island in these temperatures and half naked.

Now, Pauline finds the heat less enjoyable to deal with and mumbles something about hormonal, old ladies. Of course, I am impervious and batter on regardless. Kevin and I are both sun worshippers. I have just wished him a good day on the strength of Golden Wedding celebrations, cancer-free celebrations and Mediterranean weather in Yorkshire. What’s not to like.

Tomorrow is the first day of our hosepipe ban so, officially, I’m reduced to watering cans although I suspect that won’t hold for long. Tonight is August full moon and going to be very hot. This afternoon, I’ve used the hosepipe to clean the car and soak the garden hoping it will last for a while. Good things are coming! I can feel it!

Friday, 12th August, 2022

Oh let these days continue! Up at 6.30 am and 22C/70F. Out walking by 9.00am and 27C/81F. Only 11 miles and it’s easy this early while the energy stocks are high.

Last night was absolutely glorious with warm, balmy air below crystal clear sky floodlit by the full moon. The photo above is not mine but taken by a friend. I should have gone down and taken my own but I was tired and had drunk wine so couldn’t be bothered, I’m ashamed to say.

Julie has her 92 yr old Mum staying with her at the moment and she took her to Bridlington Beach yesterday. It made me laugh when she said, Mum & I bottom right.

Kevin has sent me delightful photos and video clips of his 5oth wedding anniversary which they combined with a grand daughter’s birthday celebration. They all look very happy. What it must be to have grand daughters!

I am walking so much, I spend most of my life in trainers these days. My wardrobe full of formal, leather shoes is left unopened. I’ve walked 3,800 miles in the past 12 months and it is amazing how many pairs of trainers I get through to do that. I ordered another three pairs today which will probably get me through until the end of the year.

Saturday, 13th August, 2022

Our friend, Frank Wilkinson from Oldham is dead. His wife, Diane, informed us today. She has been by his side in a Hospice for a week. It was inevitable but that has made it no easier to understand or cope with. It is such a shock to us all. I have been contacting friends across the North of England with the terrible news. No one can really believe it.

Frank, was younger than me. His wife is much younger than us. He has a brother who is a doctor in Oldham Royal and a younger brother who I used to teach. From super fit to dead in weeks is a lesson to us all. Keep your relationships and affairs right up to date. Never say, I’ll do that in a bit. I’ll get back to them at an easier time. Time will come back to bite us all. Frank & Diane were just down the avenue from us in New York last year. We missed each other by 24 hrs. Now, we will miss each other by a lifetime.

In a week we will be in our favourite Acropolis View Suite in the Electra Palace Hotel. It is incredibly comfortable with all the facilities one could want in a city break. We are there for more than a week which will give us plenty of time to enjoy our favourite city.

It will give us the chance to meet up with old friends, renew acquaintances with long loved places and explore some new ones. We will probably go down to the Athenian Riviera at Glyfada. It is almost 30 years since we were last there. We may do a day trip to a local island like Aegina which is only an hour or so away.

There is something delightful and relaxing about returning to a place you know so well. No time is lost in learning routines, places, sources of pleasure. I know where to look immediately. I know the best places to eat, to swim and to walk. I know where to relax and people watch. Just enjoying the language is a big thing for me. Greek is a challenge and a delight. I need that.

We have to look to expanding our delight every day not closing it down and being scared of the new. Challenging ourselves and taking risks is what life is about and more so as we get older.

Sunday, 31st July, 2022

Up early after a really warm night with air-con on. The sky was clear and starry but gave way to a hot, humid, overcast start to Sunday. Yes, I know what day it is …. mainly because I’ve read the Sunday papers.

The morning starts with a really romantic tryst. Going to the Sussex Love Island otherwise known as the Wick Waste Disposal site. We have to book slots there now so we’ve booked 9.30 on a Sunday morning like the good heathens we are.

I had to move junk on the garage floor up into the garage roof storage when we converted to a Gym/Wine-store/Kitchen. A lot of it is completely redundant so I am finally getting round to throwing it out.

The Home Gym has become integral to my current way of life. The fact that I park the car outside and that storage has had to be rearranged is regrettable but the Gym facilities far outweigh it. I use it less in the Summer but I lose myself in a film and just keep going on the treadmill or the bike which is a better use of my time. I’ve just finished a fantastic but terrifying and harrowing film about an old man who is descending rapidly and deeply into Dementia.

The old man is played quite brilliantly by Anthony Hopkins. A lot of the narrative is seen through the declining man’s eyes and his disintegrating mind. Like him, the viewer is never really sure what is in the Now and what is imagined from his Past. He escapes into opera and classical music. He is intelligent, articulate and well read. In a sense, that makes his decline feel all the further, deeper, more painful. It ends as he is in an expensive, private Care Home which he thinks is his flat, being cared for by a lovely girl who he thinks is his daughter and then he breaks down, crying like a baby for his mother.

You might understand that my time on the treadmill didn’t end well yesterday but I had to watch it. The odds are that I might leave life in this way. I have had a couple of events in my life when I was unsure what was real and what was imagined. Particularly, I had head trauma in my road accident all those years ago which left me slipping in and out of reality for some weeks. I know how scary that can be when the real world only impinges on one’s consciousness for short periods of time and how one dreads slipping away. I’ve told my wife not to put up with me but to put me in to care rapidly if I go this way.

Monday, 1st August, 2022

Already the hours of light are shortening and now it is August. Here, it has started overcast but incredibly humid-hot. It is perfect growing weather. In fact, it is too perfect. Everything is getting out of control. The only thing that is not growing fast is the new, lawn-carpet which just stays looking perfect whatever the weather.

I bought a couple of Bush Cherry Tomato plants and planted them out in the deep beds in early June. The label said they were perfect for containers on the patio so I thought they would do well and not take up too much room in the beds.

They have romped away and we have had to stop them before they block our neighbour’s light. They are more like trees than bushes and are carrying hundreds of small, cherry tomatoes.

I’ve already walked 8 miles today but I am averaging 11 miles a day for a year now so that is my new bench mark. I’m going to do the final 3 miles on the treadmill while watching my next film which is an Anglo-Bulgarian production about a photographer whose beautiful wife leaves him because he is too demanding. He feels as if he is bereaved and sees his wife in every crowd he walks past. He decides he will drive across Europe to track her down … and that is as far as I’ve got.

Tuesday, 2nd August, 2022

A muggy night opens on another warm and humid morning. Quite dull to start. We are up early because we have an electrician arriving early to put a new socket in the kitchen. He is a really nice lad who we’ve used for a while.

Pauline is harvesting and freezing herbs from the garden. The Basil has been so prolific this year that she has sent the electrician home with a big bag of it. She is preparing Dill for the freezer. I grew them all from seed and they have done well. The kitchen is infused with its delicate aroma. At this rate we are going to have to buy another freezer just to store all this stuff.

I have been looking at car hire in Florida. We are going to need one for three months and I started to worry about a problem that was coming up. Many hire companies not only have a minimum age but also have a maximum age of 70.

I’ve found that Budget don’t have that restriction and will rent me an SUV for the 3 months for around £4,000.00 which is excellent. It is all wheel drive like my current car and has Sat.Nav.. I can pick it up from Tampa International Airport and return it there as we fly back to Gatwick.

Wednesday, 3rd August, 2022

We have been contributing to the Zoe Health Study for almost 2 years now. Every month a tester calls and gives us a kit which includes a PCR test and an Antibody test which involves providing a phial of blood. 

As central funding has been reduced, the army of testers has been disposed of and the whole process is going to be run on-line and by post. This morning we did our first one under the new regime.

The kitchen table is our Surgery and we take mouth & nasal swabs followed by the messy job of extracting a phial of blood and dripping it in to a phial. This part takes quite a while and has to be accurately filled. Everything has to be parcelled up with barcodes matching and then taken down to a Priority Post Box to be despatched on the day of testing.

It is quite nice to contribute to a national study of almost a million people but we gain by having our antibodies regularly tested which is reassuring before our next Covid Booster. We also get paid a little bit so what’s not to like? The only problem we will have will come when we are in Florida for 3 months.

Unfortunately, we have hardly seen any rain for two months and local reservoirs are almost dry. This one, a few miles away has almost given up being a reservoir at all.

Our Southern Water supplier has just called a hosepipe ban starting in a couple of weeks. It coincides with the time we will be away so I will have a problem with my automatic watering system. Probably have to set it up to work at 1.00 am every other night while I’m in Athens.

Thursday, 4th August, 2022

Hot, humid and sunny today. This is the time for getting good crops. The figs are wonderful. I gorged on them this morning.

I might regret it tomorrow but I won’t regret these wonderfully sweet and juicy, Italian tomatoes which we ate with basil leaves and olive oil.

Julie’s grand daughter is ending her first year at Oxford University and will be spending the summer staying with a Greek, university friend in Athens. She suggested I might meet up with her while we are there in late August. Wouldn’t that be a bizarre event across the years?

Kevin doesn’t seem to have heard anything from his latest biopsy yet although it is difficult to know if that is a relaxed good sign or just an overloaded service. I must admit I would be agitating loudly by now because it over a week. Still, it has to be left up to him to make his own decision even though my inclination is to help him.

I hate to say I told you so but readers of this Blog will know I told you months ago about the coming inflation tsunami. It is here and will get worse. The Bank of England have warned today that inflation will reach at least 13% and that we will be in recession for more than a year. We know that energy prices are going to stretch everyone but will hit the poor and the elderly most of all. Those living in older properties with inferior insulation will see their bills sky-rocket. I predict that this increasingly difficult economic position will blow the Tory government out of power. Strikes will be a increasing feature of the news and we may even see civil unrest on the streets before things get better. You heard it here first!

Friday, 5th August, 2022

Very hot, sunny but steamy day all day. Made the mistake of setting off for a two hour walk just before mid day. It was hard, sweaty work. It is old boys day today. August 5th seems to be a popular day for a wedding if old friends are anything to go by. Kevin & Christine are celebrating 50 years. Dr John Ridley is on his 44th and John (Tash) Coates has reached 34 today.

Someone who is older than all of us and on his second marriage, Nigel, popped up this morning being interviewed by Radio Humberside for a piece about local artists.

Good to see he is still optimistic and pushing ahead with new ideas even at his great age.

Saturday, 6th August, 2022

Gloriously hot and sunny day. Lovely shopping, wonderful walking and gorgeous gardening all linked by strong sunshine. A hosepipe ban is exactly one week away. Grass areas all along our walk are brown and dry. The comparison with last year is quite stark.

The walk was very hot and dry today and lawns all around show the difference. The forecast for the next two weeks down here is non stop sunshine and temperatures in the upper 20Cs to lower 30Cs. We fly to Athens two weeks today and just hope for a break in the weather here to give things a bit of respite.

Thought you might like the wonder of the Tory Party that will never cease. This is the Essex MP who thought it would be appropriate to take a photo opportunity leaning over a Brain-Dead boy with a Union Jack and a photo of the Queen just before his life support system was switched off. If you can vote for that, you can vote for anything.

Sunday, 24th July, 2022

A very strange night last night. It was not quite hot enough to justify using the air con all night but a little too warm to sleep comfortably. I woke at 4.am and didn’t really get back to sleep. It is strange how these hours are populated by figures from my past. No matter how hard I try to push them back into the past, they haunt the hinterland of my waking hours. 

In the early hours of this morning, one of those figures walking across my mind was James Joseph Jeremiah Coghlan who died in 1976. My Grandfather. My Mother’s father. In 2009, I was doing some family research and found that my Grandfather, of Irish immigrant stock, was born in this simple courtyard block in 1894. 

It is Jubilee Street, Brighton – about 10 miles from where I now live. I could find out little more about those early days but went on a Brighton research site and asked if anyone could help.

My memories in the early hours of this morning were of his fantastic skills as a French Polisher, a furniture restorer, a central London Furniture shop manager, an antiques dealer. I also knew he had brothers who had antique shops in Brighton. When he retired and came down from the city to live near us in our small, Midlands village, he opened an antiques shop of his own, toured the country house sales and bought up distressed, classic furniture, had a workshop where he restored it and then sold it on a huge profit.

I placed my request for help on the Brighton research site 13 years ago. This morning, when I got up, I had a reply informing me of a Coghlan who lived up the right hand steps of this photo at No 35 and who was …. a wardrobe dealer. This will almost certainly have been my Great Grandfather. Wonder who I’ll dream about tonight?

It’s been a really hot and humid day reaching 25C/77F with lovely blue skies and strong sunshine. Spent the morning working outside – cutting the hedge and sweeping up, watering the plants and dead heading.

Talked to Kevin who, understandably, is getting a bit twitchy about his biopsy results. I’ve advised him to be proactive and not wait for the system to report. I think he will do that. He is articulate and strong enough to force the issue and relieve his uncertainties. It is wrong, I know, but the educated and middle class have the levers to get better healthcare treatment than the poor and uneducated. Totally wrong but almost inevitable.

Monday, 25th July, 2022

Hot and steamy day in more senses than one. We have strong sunshine and blue skies but 10 minutes of rain that evaporated even quicker. Pauline has been out delivering homemade Pesto and Raspberry Jam to our neighbours. I haven’t. We’ve done our 1o mile walk. Since my hernia operation 74 days ago, I’ve walked 815 miles. I’m shattered and not a spam sandwich in sight!

I have become a fan of Amazon Prime. I’ve even forgotten how much it costs each month but I joined it for the films I could watch in the Gym. Currently, I’m watching a wonderful, Dutch, wartime spy film called ZwartBoek/Black Book.

It plugs straight in to my interests of love and loss, of mystery and suspense and is both historical and tragical at the same time.

But Amazon Prime has real purchasing values of immediacy. Today, I am looking for a new, bean-to-cup coffee maker. Mine is 6 years old and not performing as well as it should. This edition will be delivered to my door tomorrow free of charge on my Prime Account.

I am also purchasing ‘Carry-On’ Bags for our Easyjet flight as well as Dental Flossers to replace ones that have died. We could possibly have found all these things a little bit cheaper and waited a few weeks more for delivery but this is so quick and easy.

Tuesday, 26th July, 2022

Another warm morning on which I woke at 4.30 am. Not sleeping particularly well at the moment. I think it is a combination of hot nights and I am drinking too much. Got to do something about that. I have become a fan of the Shipping Forecast at 5.30 am followed by Farming Today on BBC R4. Sometimes, the music of the coastal weather stations which are used to monitor the data for shipping – Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire, Cromarty, Forth, Tyne, Dogger, German Bight … send me off to sleep because they push out other thoughts.

Going out for a walk alone this morning because Pauline is needed at home. We have an electrician working here today. He is fitting an automatic light in a downstairs store room. It really appeals to me because it comes on automatically as one opens the door and goes off as one closes it. Love things like that. One of the big regrets about growing old is not living to see major technological improvements to come.

This morning, we acknowledge the victory on this day in the 1945 General Election by Clement Attlee and the Labour Party as they ousted Winston Churchill and the Tories. This led directly to the foundation of the National Health Service – something my Great Grandfather down in Brighton never experienced!

At the same time, we are told that the first element of HS2 will not be completed until 2033 and that is optimistically. I will be 82 by then and the need for a few minutes quicker train travel will have been superseded by rocket-speed internet of everything. Anyone who doesn’t need to travel will work over the internet and that will mean large proportions of the population who commute at the moment. I believe HS2 will be outdated before it arrives.

Wednesday, 27th July, 2022

Very warm day of sun and cloud. Drove down along the beach road and then went out for a 6 mile walk. Got to do the rest in the Gym. Found my Netflix account had been hacked and was being used in South America. The language had been changed to Spanish. Tempted as I was to fly to Peru to sort it out, I contented myself with doing it over the internet.

The net is fantastic but still has its limitations. This morning, I wanted to transfer £40,000 and even my Black Account would not let me move more than £5,000 per day for worry of my falling victim to fraud. Although I understand the Bank’s concern, it is taken too far. I now either have to go to a bank branch, queue for an adviser and then transact my business in full view/earshot of everyone else or take 8 consecutive days to move the money. I have chosen the latter.

Most of our cash has been placed in fixed interest accounts but this is supposed to be ‘easy access’. When I asked them how I withdraw money easily and instantly, they said, We’ll have to get back to you. If they can’t, I will move the lot elsewhere.

No idea why but woke up with this song in my head this morning. All the time I was walking, it played on repeat. It’s driving me mad. Kevin goes for his CT scan tomorrow. Obviously, it is an anxious time. I feel his anxiety. The odds must be on a cancer-free confirmation but I don’t know what I will say if it’s not. This is the lot of those in their 70s.

Thursday, 28th July, 2022

Up at 3.00 am, drinking tea and watching the Sky Newspaper Review. Well, it was either that or Love Island. Went back to bed feeling much better at 4.00 am and slumbered until 5.45 when the radio came on and … I fell asleep. Can’t have been a good night last night because I forgot to do my Homework and had an email of reprimand from Mandy this morning. We communicate every day over the different time zones with our Wordle results and a brief summary of our day’s events. Somehow, I went to bed last night without sending it so I’m in the Dog-ate-my-Homework position this morning.

We have a large bulge of Covid cases in our area at the moment but hardly anyone wearing masks in Sainsburys this morning. Sainsburys! You’d expect a better class of shopper there. After all, many of them are also seen in Waitrose. Our window cleaner is off to Spain today and has to pay £250.00 for each family member to be tested because they refused the vaccinations. Sheer madness! The passion for the month is fresh, local corn on the cob. I am eating it as often as possible dripping in melted butter. Ah!

This afternoon is 25C and sunny. It feels a lot hotter in our south-facing garden. You could not have a better place to fit solar panels than here. We moved in 6 months too early. All the houses that followed automatically had solar panels fitted. We decided that it wasn’t cost effective to do the same but energy prices are making us reconsider.

Around £10,000 would cover our south facing roof in panels and link them to a storage battery. We are told that a combined power bill could rise to £3,300 this Autumn and £4,000 next Spring with the peak expected to be around £500.00 per month. These figures would definitely make Solar installations cost effective quite quickly.

It is 15.25 and Kevin should be sliding down the CT scanner tunnel. He will be feeling very anxious. I am sending him positive thoughts. I know he will be anxious. That is because life is so precious. Seize it while you can. Don’t shut down the openings.

Friday, 29th July, 2022

Absolutely gorgeous day from the start and reaching 26C/79F in the afternoon. Spoke to Kevin who said it was raining and gloomy in Leeds and to Julie who had just been swimming in the sea on the Scarborough coast under sunny skies.

I can’t see me swimming even on the south coast. I’ll save that for Greece or Florida. Certainly need the water to be warm!

Our neighbour, a beautiful tall and slender blond, German girl came round with the most gorgeous, black-trumpet flowered plant. I had never seen one before. She didn’t know what it was called but I looked it up and it is a Calla-Lily rhizome called Zantedeschia-Memories. It’s a little on the tender side like me so the challenge will be to over-winter while we are in Florida.

Dee came round with the plant to say thank you for gifts of home made Pesto and of Raspberry Jam that Pauline has been delivering to our neighbours. We have absolutely lovely neighbours all around us. At least 3 other homes have a key for our house and the Burglar Alarm codes in case of emergency. It is nice to think we can rely on them in case of emergencies especially if we are away for an extended period.

Saturday, 30th July, 2022

Penultimate day of July and, after a very warm night when temperatures didn’t fall below 17C/63F, the day has opened hot and sunny and in the 70Fs. Did an early walk because we are nipping out to Bognor Regis later to collect a watering system. I need an additional watering system for the garden in this period of drought. I think we’ve had 10 mins of rain in the past 2 months. Ironically, I’m buying it at just the moment that the first hosepipe ban in neighbouring Hampshire has been announced.

The Regis part of Bognor‘s name is, of course, the Royal seal of approval. George V’s last words on his deathbed are famously reported to be, Bugger Bognor.

He died of smoker’s chest infection which he tried improve by taking the sea air in Bognor Regis. Of course, his illness was far too serious to be cured by the ozone on the beach, hence his dissatisfaction.

All the English seaside resorts that I know are dated and rather down-at-heel, even seedy in places. This applies to our current home town of Worthing but even more to Bognor.

Sunday, 17th July, 2022

Our village is quickly expanding to become a small town with all the new house building going on. The long term villagers are up in arms. Comers-in like us have no case to argue. The village was long noted for its Horticulture – Salads, herbs and fruits in particular. The whole area had huge swathes of glasshouses and many now stand empty or have been demolished.

One such site of salad supply to the nation was just a few hundred yards down the road from us. I don’t think it has been functioning all the six years we’ve been here and it won’t be ever again because it was knocked down while we were away in France in preparation for another 40 ‘luxury’ homes.

It is on our walking route and we’ve been noticing signs for a while but it doesn’t take long to redesign the landscape – just a lot of huge diggers. Can you imagine how this would have been achieved a century ago without all these earth moving giants? So many men and so much effort!

Of course there are lots of things to help sell these houses not least their location by the sea. The peaceful picture above is how the builders choose to entice buyers of houses some of which will sell at around £¾ million. If they had been down on the beach yesterday, this is what they would have seen:

Schools break up down here on Thursday so we should be able to enjoy a quiet beach for the first half of the week. With the forecast temperatures, we might even have a swim. There’s a first for everything.

Monday, 18th July, 2022

Hot day almost up to Greek standards. Went for a walk in full heat and luxuriated in it. Everywhere is bone dry and brown – apart from our lawn grass.

Everywhere was so quiet this morning. The village was deserted. The tide was so far out I would have been exhausted before I got to swim.

I was sent a memento this morning. It looks so juvenile now although it was great fun at the time – 51 years ago now. I collaborated on the production of the College Charity Mag. called Mavis. It was named by the artist and my room mate, Nigel, after an off-the-wall joke he told.

Two Hippopotamus in the mud. One raises it’s head and says in a low, guttural voice:

Mavis, I keep thinking it’s Thursday.

Riponites of my generation may recognise this with some fondness. erasing the years is futile. Embracing old friendships is warm and enjoyable. Good Luck, Kevin!

Tuesday, 19th July, 2022

Hot night which didn’t fall below 26C/79F – really like a Greek Summer night. Up at 6.30 am to start a lovely, hot, Greek day. I was made for these days. They are just right for me. This is why I built a house in Greece and why I felt so at home there. Did my 10 mile walk in the peak of the heat – 40.2F/104F and felt great.

The garden has needed lots of watering. I am happy with that and it gives me a focus for the afternoon. Unfortunately, something else has overtaken the trivia of the day. My friend, Kevin, has had an emergency colonoscopy and had 5 polyps cut out but a 6th, huge one, has been left for further investigation which seems rather sinister. They want to know if it has spread elsewhere in his body. It is a massive shock which I completely understand and I can’t do anything to ameliorate. I have telephoned Christine who is shell-shocked although pretending to appear calm. She isn’t and I understand it.

Stupidly, the whole process knocks my mood. Christine & Kevin are deep in my consciousness – buried deliberately in the past. Resurrecting them is painful and provocative. It will be 50 years since we attended their wedding service in the sunshine of North Yorkshire. It was a ground breaking moment for me.

To return to day-to-day reality, our goose-neck tap fitting has started leaking slowly. Can’t be doing with that. Tried to fix it myself but failed so have to pay £100.00 to have it sorted out by a plumber.

Wednesday, 20th July, 2022

Lovely start to the morning. Raised my spirits immediately. It takes so little. Thought of Kevin and how he slept last night.

There are many people coping with just this sort of situation but I want to sort it out for them and I can’t. It shouldn’t happen to anyone! Kevin’s daughter, Julia, and my god daughter (for whatever that means) contacted me last night and thanked me for supporting her Dad and sent me her love. It was delightful and heart warming although it was unnecessary. She’s a lovely girl. In fact, Kevin & Christine have proved fantastic parents who have produced delightful kids with a really strong family coherence – something which I envy them.

From the start of the day to the end, I’ve carried sad thoughts with me. I’ve done my 10 mile walk, cleaned the car and communicated with Nigel in Bridlington. Pauline has harvested Basil from the garden, made another huge batch of Pesto, made a dozen jars of Raspberry Jam and cooked our meal – Roast salmon with Pesto Crust and salad. We’ve still got 30 lettuces ready for cutting. I just can’t eat them quickly enough!

The day has been warm and sunny although not quite reaching yesterday’s maximum. The beach and the marina offer a little more breeze and a little less heat. Even so, it is strange but 40C/104F in England still didn’t feel anywhere near as savage as the 42C/107F we experienced in Piraeus. It’s strange really but the quality of dry, harsh heat in a Greek city is utterly different to the gentility of the Surrey countryside.

Thursday, 21st July, 2022

July is running away so quickly. Today feels incredibly warm – 28C/83F but very humid. Had to drive in to town to a bank. We were looking for a good rate on Easy Access Savings because we have used up our maximum FCS joint saving insurance on longer term cover in other institutions and need an alternative for emergencies.

Had to drive down the coast road to get to the bank. We had hoped to do everything online but were forced to produce physical proof of identity and residence for anti-money-laundering purposes. Archaic but has to be done.

Back home, we ate Lunch in the garden – (I can’t get Kevin out of my mind. He’s told me this morning that the world has gone dark and many of us will understand that.) – with home grown lettuce salad and wonderful, melting, Camembert cheese accompanied by ice-cold white wine.

This is completed by my latest obsession …. Greek Yoghurt Iced Lollipops. We buy them from Sainsburys and they are low in calories. Incredibly creamy – like frozen double cream – delicious!!

Friday, 22nd July, 2022

A very warm night and a steamy, hot day after a brief rain shower. Did a couple of hours in the Gym as well as an hour walking through the area. This humidity can really sap one’s energy but it is great for the garden which is growing so well. This morning, I picked the first, ripe fig from our trees. Quite early but delightful.

Yesterday afternoon on my walk, I passed a group of teenage girls with felt tip signatures all over their white blouses whooping it up at the end of school year. I was immediately transported back to my teaching days. 

For the last 20 years of our working lives, we would close the school at mid day, rush home, pack the car and set off for Hull Docks. At 5.30 pm, we would drive on board a P&O Ferry – Pride of Hull/Pride of Bruge and set off on the overnight crossing to Zeebrugge. 

At 8.00 am and after a large Breakfast, we would drive off in Belgium through Luxembourg, France, Germany, over the Alps into Switzerland and on round the Lakes and through Northern Italy for the 20 hr journey to the port of Ancona filling the boot with lots of wine and cheese en route.

By 8.30 am, we would drive on to a Superfast/Minoan ferry bound for Patras on the Greek Peloponnese coast where we would arrive 24hrs later. Driving off that next morning, we would hare across the 200 km of Greece, over the Korinthos Canal and through the centre of Athens down to the Port of Piraeus. A car ferry to our island of Sifnos via Kimolos & Serifos would take about 5 hrs. We would arrive in our Greek House just about 3 days after leaving Hull. 

After 5 idyllic weeks on the island, we would load up the car and do the whole journey in reverse, filling up with lots of wine and cheese for the winter. It is 8 years now since I did that journey but a group of signed white blouses transported me back there instantly.

I am 71 and my generation is aging fast. Now is not the time to prevaricate. If we are to to experience anything, it cannot wait. I am determined to get all my experiences in NOW before it is too late.

Saturday, 23rd July, 2022

Gorgeous weather down here. Hot and sunny. The only thing we haven’t got is rain. We had 30 mins yesterday but it has made little difference. I am watering most days although a hosepipe ban is constantly being mooted. I will continue to water until they stop charging me.

Today we are just 4 weeks away from our Athens trip. We can ‘Check-in’ with Easyjet which is weird so far in advance. I like to prepare in advance and do exactly that. I have been monitoring our flight for some weeks on my Easyjet app and it is always leaving Gatwick and getting to Athens within minutes of its timetable so we are confident of our trip.

Because of the baggage handling problems, we have decided to use just carry-on luggage. We are allowed quite a lot because we pay for upgrades. We can have two sizeable suitcases plus two under-seat bags. This will be plenty for a week in Athens even with a laptop.

We have decided not to book a hotel at Gatwick but to drive and park because we will need to go through security at about 5.30 am. We have booked a Lounge and fast track through airport security. It is cheap and really helpful.

We have printed out our Boarding Passes, our Lounge Passes and our Security Fast-track Passes and saved them as pdfs on our phones. The Gatwick Airport Parking is booked so we just need to update our neighbours before we leave.

Sunday, 10th July, 2022

Woke up to an extremely warm morning. At 7.00 am we have 20C/68F although it felt warmer. It means an early walk before the full heat of the day. Final preparations for France to be done.

We use tons of Dill each year so I’ve been growing it from seed. Today I’ve planted out lots of plants I’ve grown in the past couple of months. They should get us through the Summer.

We have become so inundated with salad vegetables that I’ve been distributing them to neighbours.

T.S.Elliot’s Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock tells us:

“I have measured out my life with coffee spoons,”

Mine is a little more exciting but the principle is the same. I have measured out my life in houses and locations. Exactly 8 years ago this week, we sold our Greek house and left the island for the last time.

One has to hold on to these moments before they fade in to the mists of time. My job is to hold back the mists, to keep memories and connections alive. We have to go back to Sifnos. I have to go back and touch my past one more time.

Monday, 11th July, 2022

Valeted the car this morning ready for tomorrow. Walking in screaming, hot sunshine reminds me so much of Greece. Received a Direct Message from Dave Roberts who is on a Mediterranean cruise with his wife and will have a day in Athens tomorrow. He is asking for advice on places to visit. It is not an easy thing for me to answer. I have never been to Athens as a tourist. In 50+ stays, I have always been a traveller – a person who moves his life to the city temporarily. Tourist ‘must-sees’ really don’t interest me. It took almost 20 years of visits before we went up the Acropolis and visited the Museum. 

I like to watch the people go by from Tavernas and Kafenions. I want to merge in to Greek-ness as much as I can. I am going to suggest David and his wife take the Metro to Kifissia for the shopping, take a taxi to Psiri for the restaurants and go to Lycebettus Hill and its cable car ride to the view right across Athens.

We will be back there in six weeks. I couldn’t do a cruise, though. The thought of being trapped on a ship appals me.

Lives fracture so easily. Our comfortable routines are no hiding place ultimately. Thinking of Kevin this evening. He will have a second review of potential bowel cancer tomorrow while I am off enjoying myself in France. I know just how jittery that can be and how tempting it is to brush it aside and pretend nothing is wrong. I have been trying to persuade him that a colonoscopy can be the most reassuring procedure. If they find something, it can be dealt with immediately. If they find nothing, the relief is palpable.

Tuesday, 12th July, 2022

Up at 4.30 am on a very hot morning. An hour in the gym and then a shower, orange juice and packing the car. Leaving for the tunnel at 6.30 am – especially early because of all the reported chaos backing up from the port of Dover. I don’t think I’ve seen the motorways – M23/M25/M20 – ever quieter. They were literally almost empty. We arrived at check-in very early and were offered an immediate crossing.

The temperature was rising rapidly from 22C/70F at 6.30 am to 27C/81 as we waited to board the Shuttle. Once again, very few customers for the 9.50 am crossing (in July!!) and we were rolling off into the French countryside before we knew it.

The French countryside is just massive. It goes on forever. Idiots in UK say, We can’t take any more immigrants. We’re full. I say drive the length of the UK and see how not full we are but the French could swallow half the world and not notice.

Wednesday, 13th July, 2022

Up at 5.30 am (4.30 am BST) and out walking by 6.30 am on a swelteringly hot and humid morning.

After a 6 mile walk, we had freshly squeezed orange juice and coffee and then set off to drive to the lovely, old town of St Omer with its Gothic cathedral. It’s only 40 mins away and the roads were quiet and lovely.

I don’t do cathedrals but I do like restaurants. As we walked the friendly streets of St Omer, the Pharmacie sign flashed up 33C/91F at mid day. It certainly felt warm. We called in a Carrefour to buy a snack and some wine and went back to our hotel to download the Daily Politics programme with its analysis of Prime Minister’s Questions. Nice to see Boris Johnson go down howling!

Thursday, 14th July, 2022

A screaming hot night punctuated by fireworks under a full moon led to Bastille Day and an early start this morning. Still very hot but with a more hazy sky today. After a couple of hours walking in the countryside, we set of for the medieval town of Arras where my old Grammar school friend has lived for 50 years.

We parked up in the Place des Héros, Arras about an hour’s journey across beautiful, open country on an empty motorway.

We had a walk round the squares basically visiting all the restaurants and reading menus. Settling on one that majored on fish, we had a lovely Lunch in the sunshine.

I have to say that the cooking and ingredients were not as good as my wife normally produces and this is often a problem with eating out. We drove back to our hotel and another walk followed by downloading this morning’s Daily Politics from BBC TV.

Friday, 15th July, 2022

A relaxed start to a warm day that reached 27C/81F. Out at 7.00 am for a walk and then set off to drive to the beach. Love the Wissant area so called because the French heard the British talk of its white sand. Don’t quite see it myself but it is still lovely.

It was certainly busier than when we come down here in the winter but relatively quiet compared to Brighton or Blackpool.

We walked the seafront in the burning sunshine and then drove back along the coast road. The White Cliffs of Dover are so appealingly close even I was tempted to buy a dinghy and do the crossing myself.

We drove back via Cite Europe and Carrefour where we tried to buy French Mustard. There was no Dijon Mustard and no French mustard of any kind. A simple shelf stacker explained in perfect English that they had stocked no mustard for the past 2 months because of a shortage of wheat, which is a central ingredient, due to the world wheat crisis.

Saturday, 16th July, 2022

Up early on a hot morning and out for am early walk. About 7 miles before breakfast and then down to the Tunnel where everything is going so well that we are put on a train that is so early it gets us home before we were booked to start.

We brought home all sorts of French produce from wine and cheese to herbs and garlic but we couldn’t buy Dijon Mustard because the shelves were bare.

Pauline uses huge quantities of this mustard in salad dressings and marinades and we usually buy it all in France. When we got home, Sainsburys had none either. Eventually, we had to buy from Asda their own Dijon Mustard. We cleaned them out so have enough to get us through the Summer.

It does show, however, that supply chains are not just truncated by Brexit. The war in Ukraine is also having its effect. Fractured lives and fractured supply chains. Nothing remains the same and we should embrace change.

Sunday, 3rd July, 2022

Bright and sunny, warm morning. The garden is looking lovely at Breakfast but preparation is everything. We are going to be away in a week and then again in a month. All the plants will need watering regularly in the summer sun. I have been thinking about it for a while but only got around to sorting it out this morning.

Don’t you just love Amazon Prime in these situations? I placed an online order for these items at 7.30 am this morning and they will be delivered for free by 10.00 pm tonight. 

In the 50 days since my hernia operation, I have walked 540 miles. Feeling quite fit and now have no sense of vulnerability where I was cut open.

And I would walk 500 miles
And I would walk 500 more
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles
To fall down at your door

The Proclaimers

While I am still moving, I am still alive. I just can’t let it go. I hope I will never let it go.  If I do, I will be dying … dead! I will let you know.

Monday, 4th July, 2022

Lovely, warm and sunny morning. Our garden developers arrive early and reverse their lorry down the drive.

The lawn that I’ve spent so much time and money on over the past 6 years will be removed in a matter of a few hours this morning.

I’m glad we’ve chosen a big, established organisation to do the work. It will cost around £7,000.00 but it will be money well spent in the long run. What am I going to do with my lawn mower and lawn raker?

Tuesday, 5th July, 2022

Warm – hot even – and humid, sunny day. The garden developers arrive early and set to work before it gets too hot. Stage 2 is laying down a weed barrier membrane and then putting on a Granite aggregate of fine milled stone and powder to bind it.

Tomorrow the carpet goes down here at the back and at the front of the house. Look forward to that. Whenever we have people working at the house, the initial stages are interesting. The middle stages are pleasing but, by the final stages, I just want them to finish and go. Give me my life back!

Wednesday, 6th July, 2022

A lovely warm and sunny morning gave way to a hot and humid afternoon. We have had lawn installers here for a third and final day. We are so pleased that we chose a large, national franchise – Easigrass – to do the work. The confident expertise of the installers is worth paying for.

Of course, this is a minor, micro level improvement set against the macro level changes going on in the country today. The Tory Government is in its valedictory stage. We have known for a few months that this was coming. We have known for a few weeks that it would be soon. We now know that it will be very soon … maybe hours, maybe days but it will be.

All those misguided voters, blindly supporting Johnson in the North of England of which he actually cares nothing, will be angry that their blithe fool of a Leader has been replaced but he will never be seen again.

It is likely that, the longer he clings on, the more chance the Opposition parties have of replacing him. Boris Johnson is the great Recruitment Sergeant of the Opposition.

Thursday, 7th July, 2022

Hot, humid but largely overcast day which produced hot sun in the later afternoon. We saw 24C/75F and enjoyed our walk. The first half of the day was delightfully filled with the deposing of the lunatic prime minister.

Boris Johnson, the criminal fantasist, has been forced to resign. It was inevitable but just as pleasing. It is likely that the Johnson leadership has tarnished and fatally damaged the Tory brand. The Labour Party is standing in the wings. We have to hope they get not one but two terms and feel confident enough to open negotiations to rejoin the EU.

Strange feeling to get up this morning and realise I don’t have to maintain the lawns. The front lawn is small but had to be mowed regularly. Never again.

As I did my 10 mile walk, I had contact from Kevin, John and Julie. All are getting on with their lives. Unlike Boris Johnson, their lives are not fractured and painful. If you put yourself out there you leave yourself open to such pain.

Friday, 8th July, 2022

Lovely, Mediterranean day of high temperatures, high humidity, azure blue skies and strong sunshine that took us to 27C/81F. Everywhere looks and smells and sounds wonderful. I spent the early morning watering all around the garden. It is against this backdrop that we are all celebrating the downfall of Johnson and the Tories. Things feel a whole lot better. College/University friends and Family sent me a host of cartoons/jokes/quotes/tweets about the improving political situation. I must have received this a dozen times in a dozen different forms:

We have finally found a home for a large portion of our savings and it is quite a relief in the eye of the inflationary storm. Inflation destroys money and I have worried about it for almost a year. It feels great to be sheltering it at least although no household will escape the pain of average fuel bills (Gas/Electricity) going to circa £3,300.00 per year. The state pension is around £9,600.00 per year. The thought of some old dear having to make the choice between freezing or paying out ⅓ of their income on fuel is quite appalling.

In Littlehampton Town their was a French market stall selling wonderful cheeses, saucisson, etc. To celebrate the day, the financial resolution, the political dissolution and the delicious sunshine, we bought Camembert and Morbier Saucisson and ate it for Lunch in the garden along with a bottle of Pol Roger champagne we’ve had in the wine cooler for a while.

I still did my 10 miles – in fact, I did 11 miles today – and haven’t missed a day for the past 57 days since restarting after my operation. Every day, I think, May be I’ll give it a miss today. but never do!

Saturday, 9th July, 2022

Hot night being followed by a very hot day. Had the fun of setting up the wi-fi remote controls for the air conditioning unit this morning on our smartphones. I enjoy this challenge.

The unit can be controlled for fan speed, temperature, oscillation, mode and timer/duration. What fun! The functions can also be voice-controlled using Google or Alexa type hubs. No need to get out of bed! It certainly makes sleeping easier. I checked the energy smart meter after a night time of use and it wasn’t significantly expensive at all.

Pauline is spending the morning harvesting, washing, chopping and freezing herbs from the garden. Piles of Oregano, Sage, Tarragon, Thyme, Rosemary and Parsley will be collected in the sunshine. Then she will attack the Basil plants and make huge proportions of Pesto. I have got the easy jobs of setting up the automatic watering systems ready for going to France next week.

We eat Dill and Basil more than any other herb because they go so well with fish. I have been planting out Dill plants grown from seed this morning. Hopefully, they will be available to harvest when we return from France. Cousin Sue has posted pictures of her southern French property after make-over this morning.

We were in Salles Lavalette only four years ago and miss it and the quaint French style. However, if I had to choose between southern France and Florida, I think I’d go for Florida year round. What do you think? Want to come?

I’ve uploaded our vaccine passports to the Tunnel crossing documentation to expedite our crossing. From our house to the tunnel it takes 1 hr 50 mins but current post-Brexit conditions extend that. We have to be at check-in 2 hrs before departure so we will set off at 6.30 am. on Tuesday. I will have to be up really early to get my walk done mainly before we go. It’s going to be lovely weather so I’ll be able to get some in when we arrive.

Sunday, 26th June, 2022

A lovely, warm and sunny day. I went out walking early on my own. Pauline is suffering from shin splints which is leaving her in real pain with a swollen foot and ankle. It is my fault. I am driving her too hard. I am averaging 11 miles a day but she must be doing 6 – 7 miles a day as well. 

This is constantly one of my favourite views on my walk in the Summer. I’m sure you will be heartily sick of seeing it but I can’t resist capturing the season’s advance.

Back home, I’m preparing for two events The first is cleaning the patio flags prior to the new lawn being laid and the second is researching places to go for our French trip.

We are going to revisit Arras to have Lunch on one of our days. My old, grammar school friend, John, has lived there since 1970 when he spent a University exchange year in the town, fell in love with a nurse and just stayed.

We will also revisit the town of St Omer which is famous for its Brewing Industry just like my home town of Burton-upon-Trent.

Monday, 27th June, 2022

Lovely warm and sunny morning. Mind you, it’s not quite as warm as the one I recorded 10 years ago today when we were in our Greek house and drove up to Apollonia to pay our taxes. The tax we owed was for a new pergola. We were rather unusual in that, however arcane the tax, we paid it whereas Greeks really didn’t. It was only €408 but it was only for a pergola.

As we drove home, we passed the ‘Garden Centre’ and bought an oregano plant for our garden. This morning our raised bed of Mediterranean herbs – Thyme, Oregano, Sage, Rosemary and Tarragon is looking quite productive.

The patios have been completely refreshed and the developers are arriving early tomorrow. They will be with us until the end of the week. The weather is set fair so all should be well. Famous last words!

Pauline is from Oldham. She used to live in Holly Lane, Hollins as a child. She follows a site which features photos of old Oldham. This morning a picture was posted that featured a group of bomb disposal soldiers and she is convinced the one on the lorry holding the bomb is her father who died when she was 10 years old.

I have contacted the lady who posted it to see if I can follow the lead up. It would be a nice thing to confirm her perception.

Tuesday, 28th June, 2022

Not so much left of June 2022. Still have targets to achieve …. and I will. This morning opened spectacularly over the South Downs:

but, ultimately, settled in to a lovely, warm and sunny day. We were supposed to be having garden developers here this morning but they called to cancel which was very frustrating. We had worked hard to complete all the preparations for their arrival but … these things happen.

We are going full out to arrange flights to Tampa, Florida for the start of November and returning at the end of January. We are allowed 90 days at any one stay so intend to make the most of the flight costs. We have to factor in hiring a car for 3 months but that will be an enjoyable challenge.

The first of many batches of homemade pesto was produced today. I went out for my 10 mile walk which takes about 2.5 hours. Pauline, still suffering with swollen ankles, stayed at home and harvested Basil to make the first batch of Pesto for the year. There is not much better than fresh Pesto to an old man!

Wednesday, 29th June, 2022

The day started with a phone call this morning from garden developers to say their Manager had Covid which meant they wouldn’t be with us until next Monday. There is a large, new swathe of infections running through the country and is forecast to get much worse over the Autumn/early Winter. We are still wearing masks when we are in closed, public spaces. Very few others are.

Got an early contact via Whatsapp from Kevin. He’s got a worrying NHS Bowel Cancer recall. We know exactly what that’s like, don’t we? I phoned him and we talked it over for a while. I advised him to short-cut the agony and seek a quick, private colonoscopy to put an end to the mental torture. He has a good Nuffield Centre not far from his home. I think he will do as I did – give the NHS a couple of weeks and then plunge in to payment.

This morning, we bought British Airways flights to Tampa, Florida for a 3 month stay. We are going to be away for November – February. It means changing our house insurance to cover that extended period. The flight tickets are incredibly cheap. Two Return, Premium Economy flights are just over £2100.00. Business Class would have been 3 times that amount. The difference of £4000.00 will pay for car hire for the 3 months.

So, now we will spend a week in France in July. A week in Athens in late August. Another week in France in early September. A week in Yorkshire/Lancashire in October and 3 months in Florida covering November-February. Searching, searching, constantly searching ….

On my walk this afternoon, I was suddenly confronted by this sight. I am so old and gaga that it took me so long to realise what I was seeing.

A Google Maps camera car was recording the new streets that have been created on our Development. I was right in front of it, fumbling to get my phone camera on. I just hope that I haven’t been immortalised on the internet as a gaga old man with his mouth open, looking vacant.

Thursday, 30th June, 2022

Up early on the last day of June. A lovely, warm and sunny day. The garden is looking delightful and everything is enjoying this growing weather. Over night we had rain which is how it ought to be organised. The colours of the garden are beautiful.

Out valeting the car and then a walk before setting off for Surrey. We are going to see M&K + P&C + D&B for a couple of hours. Great drive and the M25 was almost empty. We were there in just over an hour. It was lovely to see them all again for the first time since we were together in Florida. They go back soon and we are off to France so now was the only time.

M&K’s garden has the canal running at the end and it is a delightfully restful place to be away from the Surrey traffic. We had a lovely lunch together. I set P’s iPad up for her. The next time we see them again will be back in Florida.

The drive home was just as quiet. Goodness knows where all the traffic is. I sent Kevin some encouraging words about his prospective bowel cancer screening and Julie a brief letter because she is temporarily housebound. I have to contact Ruth & Kevin tomorrow to congratulate them on their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

I bought my first ever 3-piece suit from Montague-Burton in Ripon to attend their wedding. It cost me £95.00. I had to borrow Nigel’s bike to catch an early train from Harrogate at 5.30 am before the bus connection ran. I was shattered but I caught the train and made the wedding.

Friday, 1st July, 2022

Another new month to embrace. Travel is going to be the main focus of the rest of the year. Looking forward to it. Got a week at home first as the garden is redeveloped. Beautiful, warm and sunny morning will make my walk more enjoyable.

I’ve started the new month by learning a new skill. I have never used a washing machine. I am generally terrible with machines and I tend to encourage them with brute force. When I lived alone in Oldham for a year or so, I did go up to a Laundrette with a bag of mixed-coloured clothes to wash. I never really did any washing because the women saw me dithering and took pity on me. They told me to leave the bag and come back later in the day.

When I got the washed clothes home, they needed ironing which I also couldn’t do. I bought an iron but just managed collars and cuffs really and relied on suits to cover up the creases. I took suits to the cleaners so most bases were covered. Today, I’ve had a lesson in how to make the machine do another ‘full spin’. I might learn another program next month.

I remember this day for lots of reasons but mainly because I was leaving Ripon College for the ceremony. I would soon be leaving for the real world.

Hurts to think I can clearly remember the experiences surrounding this event. It was 50 years ago! I am old enough to have been at an event 50 years ago! Terrifying!

Saturday, 2nd July, 2022

Lovely warm day. Everything in the garden is under control and awaiting the Developers on Monday. Went to Tesco Superstore early. We were wearing masks. Only a handful of others – mainly elderly – were doing the same. Our region is seeing a resurgence in infection. Infection rates across the country increased 30% in the past week. Although it is mainly the elderly and vulnerable who suffer extreme and life-threatening symptoms, it is not exclusively so and just being unwell is keeping younger ones off work – impacting Healthcare, Travel, etc..

Like a naive child, I spend my time moving forward while looking wistfully back to the past. Just like that child, I am always in danger of walking into things and tripping up. It is my nature. I have a longing to just return and touch my past and then return to the future. All the Greek islands I have visited are candidates for that treatment. Went to Andros and to Nyssiros in the 1990s. they were not favourites at all but I’d like to set foot on them again just for a day.

In this week 10 years ago, Δημόσια Επιχείρηση Ηλεκτρισμού, the Greek Power Company, finally delivered a full and legal power supply to our house. Until then – for some 10 years – we had been using half price, ‘Construction’ electricity tariff. Now we were ‘legal’.

When I first met her, my sister-in-law was working in the Accounts Dept. in Halfords here in ‘windy city’. This photo came up yesterday on a website Blog I follow and it took me back immediately. Wouldn’t you just like to revisit that time for a moment? I would.

Sunday, 19th June, 2022

A different day after the humidity of the past week. Still warm but overcast with a small amount of rain forecast for this evening. It really has been fantastic growing weather recently. These two photos are just 2 weeks apart:

I think we’re going to be eating our way through a salad glut in the next few weeks. The garden developers are arriving in a week and then, in 3 weeks, we are setting off for a French trip. We are driving through the Tunnel but, ‘officially’, I am allowed to fly from Monday because it is 6 weeks since my operation.

Actually, I hardly think about it now. The scar is rapidly disappearing. I’m averaging 11 miles a day walking. I am feeling strong and fit and ready to fly …. anywhere! First we will spend a week in Athens at the end of August but the big booking is Florida. M&K don’t really know what they are letting themselves in for. Our American Visa – ESTA – allows us to stay for 90 days. Our travel insurance covers us for 90 days. Guess what we are thinking of doing?

I am currently searching flights leaving in the last week of October and returning in the middle of January. Hope M is not reading this! She may start panicking! It will have to be Direct flights. It will have to be a minimum of Premium Economy.

Winter months in the warmth with our house in Sussex mothballed is a enticing prospect. I am concerned about my friends in UK but we have to look after ourselves. One of the things about my personality is that I cannot bear uncertainty. I have to resolve issues and have them settled in my own mind. For exactly that reason, I am not only researching flight prices but car rental as well. I can hire an SUV for 3 months for just £3,300 to make us mobile and independent in Florida.

Monday, 20th June, 2022

Wall to wall sunshine today and lovely and hot. Why am I not happy. I ought to be. Pauline’s ne iPad arrived and my job was to set it up. It is an easy affair nowadays. Hold the old and the new iPad together and one is copied to the other in minutes.

I have returned the old one to ‘Factory Settings’ so it can be passed on to someone else. I’ve even ordered a new case for it so they can enjoy it afresh.

Pauline is suffering with a swollen foot which she thinks is a result of so much walking. I have granted her a rest and done the 10 miles alone. I did mow all the lawns before I left and felt as if I could relax into my exercise. Actually, I completed just over 11 miles and I’m averaging that each day for the past month.

I sent Kevin, John & Julie photos of my imminent lettuce glut. Julie replied with very impressive cucumbers from her conservatory and Kevin just didn’t try at all. John supplied a standard photo of his front garden of the house he has lived in since getting married from College 50 years ago.

We are flying to Athens in late August and the turmoil in Airport Baggage control has made us decide that we can cope with two carry-on suitcases for a week. It will simplify our travel.

We have chosen upgraded Easyjet seats which allow us two carry-on bags each – one under seat and one large cabin bag. We’ve ordered two, new bags exactly for that purpose.

Tuesday, 21st June, 2022

Externally, it is a beautiful day of sunshine and warmth. We have enjoyed 24C/75F. The garden looks lovely. I have ferried Pauline for a long session at the Beautician’s. I have cleaned the car and done a 2 hr walk in the warmth of the day. It left me shattered but I won’t give in!

We have cooked and eaten in the garden – (Kolokithia Keftedes) Courgette Fritters, Fish Medley and home grown salad. All is well with the world.

Today is the Summer Equinox, the Solstice and the longest day of the year. These are all short term observations. They reoccur annually. I am struck more by the drama, the tragedy of the life that occurs just once for each of us, the life that we use or waste in constant prevarication:

I feel that depth of sadness and moment hauntingly and constantly as Chopin delineated in his Nocturnes.  I am playing it as I type and it moves me. I may be pathetic but I am honest, dear reader.

Wednesday, 22nd June, 2022

You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day of blue sky and strong sunshine reaching 29C/84F and delicious relaxation. I’ve still done 11 miles walking which began by the seaside. I cannot relax.

Delightfully deserted, the beaches are for us. The sun is hot; the beaches empty; the world is wonderful … if you can relax into it. I can’t. I have to complete a minimum of 10 miles.

Back home, I need to prepare for the garden to be looked after while I am abroad. I’m looking to book 3 months in Florida and will need to control watering of my plants remotely. Automatic watering systems are the answer and I’ve ordered a new controller to cover two, separate areas.

The contradistinctions between ordinary life and the life of our lurid imaginations constantly war against each other. They are the stuff of dreams.

Thursday, 23rd June, 2022

Very hot and humid but overcast morning. Tragedy has hit the Sanders household. For the third day running, we have driven to Lidl and found NO unsweetened Almond Milk. Can you imagine it? I asked the Manager about it and he said supplies are difficult to maintain. The product comes from Italy and Brexit has made the importation much more problematic.

Just another of those Brexit benefits we were promised! Ironically, today marks exactly 6 years since UK voted to leave the EU. The New European front page lists all the benefits we’ve seen so far.

The polling conducted by Savanta ComRes found that just 36% think the project has been a success, with 52% considering it a failure. It is not difficult to see why.

• Food rotting in Britain’s fields because EU workers are choosing to work elsewhere.
• British fisherman facing ruin with some long-running firms forced to close due to the extra costs leaving the EU has imposed.
• A shortage of lorry drivers – changes to rules following Brexit made it harder for drivers to work in the UK and customs procedures are said to have made their job more complicated – causing many to simply work elsewhere. This has disrupted supply chains and led to product shortages on our shelves  …. Like unsweetened almond milk!
• Chaos in air travel which was largely disguised during the pandemic, airlines now say they do not have enough staff to cover surging demand and say EU exit is to blame.
• Mobile roaming charges make a comeback.
• Surging inflation – A report from the L.S.E. found that new, Brexit trade barriers have driven a 6 per cent increase in UK food prices – one of the contributing factors of surging inflation.

Sometimes I want to scream, Stop the World. I want to get off! The current state of politics make me feel that way right now.

This morning, Dave Roberts in Rochdale sent this snap shot of a warmer, simpler time exactly 50 years ago. Of course those days are gone and we must face the reality of the ‘Now’. Talking to them this morning, Kevin & Chris have both recovered from Covid but Julie has had a slight stroke which she is receiving help with. Getting older has lots of challenges to come and we all need friends.

Friday, 24th June, 2022

Hot and humid with a grey start, the day finished in beautifully strong sunshine. Our worlds are constantly oscillating between the micro and the macro. Couldn’t wait to wake up this morning anticipating the by-election results. Radio on at 5.30 am and the reports didn’t disappoint. Tories lost both as we hoped and expected. It is definitely a turning of the tide.

In the narrow world of UK politics, this is a macro level. Of course, true macro level is the voting down of 50 years abortion freedom under Roe-v-Wade in the USA but Tory, national humiliation will do me for now.

Our 11 mile walk in hot and humid conditions was sweaty but enjoyable. These are real growing conditions which the birds are exploiting too. Snapped this bee flashing its bum on the blossom of the ripening blackberries on our walk …

Getting all the jobs done before the garden developers arrive next week and then we drive to France the week after. The lovely idea is that we can do what we want although Covid is in energetic resurgence and care needs to be taken.

Saturday, 25th June, 2022

I know you will have been worrying about it, Dear Reader, but fear not. This morning, Lidl had plenty of UNSWEETENED ALMOND MILK!!! I bought 20 ltrs which will last me at least 3 weeks.

Apparently it’s Saturday but I wouldn’t know if it was a week on Thursday other than by checking my on-line calendar. The days blend into each other seamlessly. I’m still managing about 11 miles walking each day which takes me about 2½ hrs before I can do anything else. I never fall below 10 miles and really aim for 11 each day now. Today, I had to fit it in around shopping and pressure washing the patio flags. I even managed to catch a bit of the Test Match.

Shopping took us down the beach road. The tide was in and surfers were enjoying the swell.

Of course, we also have the Sussex Downs near by which attract many tourists/local visitors. They are beautiful at this time of year.

It is 10.00 am on a mild and balmy Summer’s evening as barbecues are scenting the night sky. Neighbours are entertaining neighbours in this lovely place.