On Monday, I’ll start putting the catalogue together for the next auction as I’ve got all the china together now. I’ve listed everything but not put it in sale order yet. There’s a lot of work. First, to decide what order to put everything in, then to carefully examine each piece for damage or restoration, then to photograph it and make detailed descriptions. Then the photos must be cropped, the lot numbers put on the china and then I can start on the catalogue itself.

I find it quite soothing to handle the china and the work needs care and concentration, but not actual brainpower, so it’s not too arduous. Last year was awful of course, as Tim was going to do the photography and compile the catalogue and he died the weekend before he was intending to start, on 5th September. So I was doing the work myself – darling Indigo Roth did the photos for me, because he’s a true friend in need – at the same time as arranging Tim’s death certificate and preparing for his funeral.

It’s going to be a painful few weeks, emotionally. I’ll keep busy.

But today, it’s Zerlina’s 14th birthday and Eloise cat’s 8th. So we celebrate.