Bits And Bats

Carrot and coconut cake - the old Neals Yard Bakery recipe - to think I used to make 8 of these at a time in a giant mixer. It's still gorgeous - sticky and chewy and cinnamony and not overly sweet.

A shiny round waterproof combination padlock for the new log store, has a dial like a safe, reminds me of old movies. The new log store is half full of logs. The new woodburning stove (or multifuel stove to be entirely accurate) is looking elegantly at home, and as if it had always been in the broad inglenook fireplace in our kitchen-dining-living room. So far we have had one of the recommended 'small' fires you light to burn off toxic fumes from the paint. One reason to look forward to the colder weather...

There is, quite unmistakably, a hint of autumn in the air. The sun is at times warm, but there's a fresh coolness to the air which does not speak of summer, but of what is to come.

I resolve not to drink tonight, then E phones to say she and A are back in town after a couple of months, and would we like to join them at the Hare and Hounds tonight. What's a girl to do? Drinking J2O with E and A doesn't quite cut it.

Money worries compound nephew worries, and threaten to bring me to my knees under their dull weight, pressing down on my head. I resolve to put my energy into generating more work not more worry. I must pay my professional indemnity insurance premium, and resign myself to the overdraft. My new job will probably be starting the week after next.