It’s been a spring-like day today. Sunny, as was yesterday, but much warmer. We all went out to work in the garden. Al weeded the herb bed, the Sage and Dilly started weeding the asparagus (last year a whole lot of little perennial nettles got a hold and it’s going to be the devil to eradicate them) and Squiffany and I worked in the greenhouse. Pugsley supervised. Much as I would have liked to give him a job, he can’t sit up on his own yet, so he was excused.

I sneezed when I came in for lunch. I felt the prickling behind my nose that indicates a threatening cold. I only had one mild cold last winter so I was none too pleased to start the spring with one. I immediately squeezed two oranges and drank the juice, poured hot water onto chopped ginger with some honey and drank it and have asked Al to bring me home two chillies which I will eat in a salad with onion and some of the chickpeas which I presciently cooked a couple of days ago. I will also drink whisky* in medicinal quantities. I trust that the rheum will take the hint and leave. I have not, at any rate, sneezed since.

My little girlie and her beloved are home this weekend, just for tonight and Saturday. I’ll probably do an early meal tomorrow evening so that Al and family can come as Squiffany’s bedtime preparations start early. Usually, she has her tea first, then bath, books, cuddles, bed, are done by 7 or half-past and then Al and Dilly start making their own meal, but we can all eat together for a change if we do it early enough. I’m thinking of lasagne at the moment, but this plan may change in the next 24 hours.

*Yes, Maggie. You’re quite right.

There was a gorgeous sunset last night. I took photos from the coach. It wasn’t actually as dark as it looks. There was, afterwards, a beautiful full moon. I love the moon and the night sky.