Tuesday 16th Jul

I smear suntan lotion on the back of the youngests neck as he leaves for school. For some reason young people don’t think they’ll get sunburnt, and by and large that may well be true. However, like father like son, my neck catches the sun first and so does his. The eldest is going in to school with her full Morocco expedition rucksack, and so I put it in the boot and we collect her friend, and jay-le-taxi drops them both off at school.

I then proceed round to the folks who have had a small leak in the conservatory roof. The ailing one has asked if there is a way we could get some sealant on part of the roof. However we can’t get on the roof, as it won’t take the weight. So in a “Heath Robinson moment” I’m leaning out of the upstairs back window, with a knife taped to the end of a pole, and with sealant squeezed onto the knife. I’m trying by a process of trial and error to fill cracks, hoping to get the right one. I guess we’ll find out next time it rains if it has worked.

Back home I apply a small amount more paint to the porch, before I’m off to do some umpiring. I’m doing a 40 over match this afternoon, and after applying the suntan lotion and a large hat, I’m ready to stand out in the heat for what turns out to be 4 pleasant hours. Mrs P has made tea when I get in, but having already been fed at the cricket I take a reduced portion for my fourth meal of the day.

Now my car needs a wash, and has done for a while, though I’m pretty sure I did it at Easter time, and I had an idea to give it a go this evening. But just as I’m about to commence, I notice Mrs P has got her car out and has beaten me to it. So being easily put off, I decide to leave it for another day. Regarding the rucksack packing it turns out we should have packed her walking poles, but apart from that we did alright.

Yours catching the rays.

Jay