I’ve realised that I must have fainted twice, as I’m unaware of having hit my face on the pavement and the second time I was being held by Al. But this is what I woke up to this morning.

Eye closed

Eye open

Fortunately, as you see, most of it is hidden when the eye is open.

I rang Al to ask if he wanted the rest of the broad bean plants – he did, and he also wondered if I had any more tomato plants as they’re going quite fast. I sorted out the final couple of dozen, and runner beans, aubergines and chilli peppers as well. I’ve been potting up and sorting out the rest of the plants I’m keeping to plant outside, and all I have to send in now are some more courgettes that I’ve potted up – Al has discovered that if the plants are big enough to have baby fruits on, he can get double the price for them. Tomorrow is Street Market day – one of the town’s streets closes and is full of market stalls for the day. This happens three times a year and the May one is for plants and garden-related stuff. Al wants to be open – he’s not far from and in sight of the street – but Dilly is tutoring all day, with people anxious about forthcoming GCSEs who want a spot of extra help, so he’ll be looking after the children too. I’m sure that the Sage will lend a hand. I can go in later, but I’m busy all morning at the church. I can’t take the morning off as I’m playing the organ, and I can’t swap as the other organist is on holiday in Portugal.

Oh, and those baskets. They’re made in Kenya. They’re great, and they smell all haylike and lovely. I’ve bought two of them from Al and I will get more as you can use them for all sorts of things as well as shopping. I think several people will be receiving them as presents. Rather than take pictures, I’ll show you the website. When Al’s arrived, he put Squiffany in it and carried her around town to test its strength. So, although the sizes of them vary a bit, they’re big and strong enough to carry a 4-year-old.