Autumn routines

Well, it seems the lawnmower has been fettled.  Wonder how long that will last.  I'll go and get it when the weather's drier, by which point the pension should be in the bank, and there are said to be a couple of dry days in prospect.  We took the opportunity of a fine day yesterday to go and spend a birthday present gift voucher at the over-priced shop between the old and new Hastings roads.  Numerous kilos of daffodil bulbs: Martyn's project.  Some-winter flowering bedding and ivy plants for the basket at the front door.  The stock fuchsias and geranium are in the cold frame: let's hope for a mild winter again.

Fun and games here earlier yesterday morning: a young neighbour from up the road succeeded in parking his car upside down in neighbours Mary and Charles's front hedge.  The hedge may have spared the driver (sitting on kerb, left) worse than a bit of a fright.  The bend is quite sharp, and a drain top stands proud at a critical point.  So, with damp surfaces and a slippery cast iron drain top, added to rather brief driving experience, the result is unsurprising.  The vast majority of accidents involve young male drivers.  Don't suppose he's looking forward to his next insurance premium. I find that I enjoy driving less and less - though this may not be unconnected to the recent bill for sorting out the various dents and scrapes on the car.  But I'm comforted by the fact that modern cars, flipped on to their roofs, are strong enough for the doors still to open and close.  Couldn't have expected that of the Illman Himp or the Renault 4L, my wheels of choice when I was a new driver.