On-line v. High Street

Given our post-cruise ailments, we haven’t exactly been springing around.  Longish day at the hobby on Tuesday, but I think we did a good enough job.  One rather vociferous customer remarked that he could earn as much us us.  (Unfortunately, he does.)

It being marmalade time, I got the necessary supplies the other morning, only then remembering that the orange squeezers - Magimix accessories and an ancient Philips job - were about as capable of the job as my arthritic mitts.  Since we had a one4all gift card, I checked what it was worth.  We’d been sitting on it for a while, and its value had been almost entirely eroded by the ‘monthly charges’ that they so cynically impose after 18 months, so it went in the bin.  We found another, still valid, so I ordered a new orange squeezer from Argos, who promised delivery next day to our local Sainsbury’s.  Next came an email saying ‘Hurrah: it’s arrived!’  Armed with the code supplied, I motored down to Sainsbury’s, only to be told by a clerk with all too visible chewing gum that it was out of stock.  Snarl.  Well, we hacked over next day to our neighbouring market town, where Robert Dyas had the same item at 15% less, though the wasted diesel costs and parking charges offset the saving.  If Argos eventually deigns to offer us one, they may put it where the monkey put the nuts.

Modest gardening on Wednesday, since the composting bin was to be emptied next day.  A bit of dead-heading, and, Martyn having spotted some grass growing out of the slate chips out the front, I did some weeding.  The bits of grass looked like they were seed-sown, rather than growing up through the membrane, but we’ll obviously have to keep an eye on it.

First art group gathering of the year today, and I fiddled a bit with a piece I began in December.  It involves boats, which are difficult to draw, so it was slow going.  I think it's almost there, but it needs a few more touches to bring it to life.  Martyn practised some watercolour techniques, including a perfect dry flat wash, which no-one had taught him to do before.

I refrain from comment on recent political utterances.  But just you wait until I’m released from the hobby-imposed reticence, 18 months and 10 days hence.