Time for an update

Not a lot to report: we’ve each had reassuring reports from our latest medical sessions.  The garden is coming along nicely: Queen Elizabeth is putting out lots of vigorous shoots, even from the bottom of the gnarled old branches, and the other roses are looking good.  Gardener Ben was here on Tuesday when three cubic metres of muck were delivered, and spent five hours spreading it out over the beds.  I’d buggered off meanwhile for a German conversation session, so left Martyn in charge of tea-making!

Sad news: our old friend Mary has left us.  I’d known her for over 50 years, and enjoyed her robust Coatbridge spirit.  I later worked with her third husband, and we shared hospitality at her London marathon parties and mine at New Year.  Equally sad to learn that another former colleague has had to part with her elderly cat, Moses.  He was pretty ancient, so I’m sure the decision will have been the right one.

Enjoyable lunch on Wednesday with Marion: I think I prefer my pizzas to Zizzi’s, but theirs are pretty decent.  Martyn and Marion shared a tiramisu, and pronounced it good. A propos catering, I’ve done a batch of broth and another of Felicity Cloake baked beans.  Both are massively better than the commercial varieties.  Today we’ve knocked out a chicken casserole, using a box of casserole sauce I found in the freezer, augmented with some bacon, tomatoes and button mushrooms.  We enjoy working together in the kitchen, and the results are usually good.  Tant pis for our waistlines.