In Bea's Autumn Garden

Col took these photos of Bea's lovely Autumn Garden - Bea Burchill, the artist who provided the cover for my new book "The Umbrellas of Hamelin".  You can see from the garden, all structured and designed by her, that she is an artist.

Could we ever get tired of creating beautiful gardens - of creating, full stop - as long as we had perfect health?   If we all "inherit the earth", as Jesus promised, then we will be able to find out.  But, famously, it is "the meek" who will inherit the earth. And this is not referring to a character trait by the way, but to those who are meek towards their Creator, Jehovah, those who will listen to him, and do their best to act on what his word is telling us.

So it is up to each one of us whether we are meek, in this sense, or not.

We are just back from a week 'oop North, seeing family and friends. Hectic but lovely. And September is such a beautiful month too.  It has left me so undecided about whether we should move back up North, or not.  Captain B is his usual decisive self though and for the moment wants us to stay where we are, in our lovely flat on the South Coast.

Lilac Tree Farm, Derby and Dronfield came over on Saturday  - so that was quite hectic, with the three youngest granddaughters.  Col, Alex and Dan nobly took them to the park after lunch - specifically to the playground with its swings.   We had our usual veggie feast over at Jen's on Monday, went to visit the York Branch on Tuesday (another lovely meal),  and drove across the Snake Pass to see Bea and Anna on Thursday.  Friday afternoon Kathryn and I got together for a cosy chat about our medications and various aches and pains over a cup of tea. We have known each other since we were schoolgirls so it was somewhat like The Old Wives Tale.  Which is an excellent book by the way (Arnold Bennett).  And the three of us, Col, Nute and me went to The Grouse on Saturday for a fish and chip lunch.  

That is a place of many memories, over many years, for all of us.  I remember going there to play darts when all it served were sandwiches - beef or cheese. Excellent sandwiches too.  I remember Alex, now a middle-aged father of two, in his pram outside. Those were the days when you could safely leave a baby outside by a quiet moorland pub - days long since gone.  I remember Dave and his sheepdog who liked to catch beermats. And so many more.  

The drive back home was good - door to door in five hours, on Sunday. But it was very tiring for Col. So my worries about what is the best  thing to do next - and to do it while we still can - remain.  I have a month of medical things coming up - and it looks like he may too.  Oh dear.

But we are both on borrowed time under the Threescore years and ten rule.  It is a strange feeling.