It's Still Life

1) Thankful to stand in front of Köln cathedral again, looking upward until the heavens make you dizzy. I wanted to see the interior again, but you need a ticket to enter, and they were all sold out weeks ago. Image, needing a ticket to enter a church. 

2) For fun souvenirs from a holiday. A fridge magnet. This is Odin. Who else when you’re visiting familiar ground in Sweden.

3) It’s earlier than usual, but thankful for a greenhouse full of tomatoes and cucumbers, warmed by the sun. More about the sun …

4) Forty days without rain, and mid-30C temperatures during the three weeks that we were away. The flowers in the borders died. My herbs died. My bay tree died. Five roses bushes are twigs. I think I’ll also lose the hydrangea. The thistles are thriving though. Thankfully — the lawn never dies; it only needs a bit of rain and it will be green again, but it’s the colour of parchment right now.

5) Early birthday presents from the grandchildren. A keychain.

6) A new clock-radio-alarm thingy with a face so bright that it’s like sleeping with the sun shining in your eyes. Thankfully, Peder says he can fix it. The sound quality is amazing!

7) The grapevines have a mite infestation, even though we gave it a good winter wash, but happily the grapes are ripening and seem okay.

8) Thankfully, not all of the roses are dead.

9) The fishmonger in Eastbourne. Fresh fish tonight for dinner. 

10) Always thankful for the back roads of Sussex heading south for the fishmonger. Lovely summer drive — car with the soft-top down and wind in my hair.