A Mixed Week

it's been a funny old week, so far.

I had a rather depressing day in court, with an opposing lawyer (who does not really seem to be fulfilling her obligation to actually advise her client, as opposed to simply parroting what they say) decided that a personal attack on me was the way to go. It's not the first time this particular individual has behaved like this and I'm seriously considering speaking to the senior partner at her firm about it, as it's very unprofessional, quite apart from the personal unpleasantness. It's also in direct contravention of the code of practice for Family lawyers. *Sigh*

Yesterday I called my best friend, J - I was mostly calling to commiserate with her, as I knew she was planning to go to Istanbul for a long weekend (to meet up with her partner, who has been there for the past 10 days, working) and I guessed that with the ash from the volcano she would be unable to go. I was right, but I also learned that she had heard earlier in the day thet her grandmother has died. And of course, with her partner in Istanbul and no clear idea of how soon he'll be able to get back. I wish I lived close enough to be able to do more than just telephone. Death is never easy, even when you know (as in this case) that someone is dying, I think it is always something of a shock.

In happier news;

My Papa achieved another birthday (although he wasn't in when I called him to wish him happy birthday, so it's just as well I was, for once, organised enough to pop a card in the post!)

One of my colleagues, who keeps chickens, gave me some eggs, as they have a surplus, so this evening I was able to have an absolutely delicious omelette, made wioth eggs that really taste of eggs

And this weekend I shall be going to London, to see the EvelynEvelyn show, but in addition, thanks to Eyjafjallajokull, will get a chance to meet up in person with Adri, who so far I only know online, and who is stuck in the UK at present...

Sunshine & Bumble Bees (and Volcanos)

I am sorry for all those people who are standed by the grounding of flights as a result of the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, but I have to say the lack of noise from flights is rather nice. I don't live under a major flight path, and have never thought of it as being particularly noisy here, but the quiet is VERY noticable. And as natural disasters go, this one is stunningly beautiful. I was watching the news earlier, and they had film showing the ash cloud above the volcano, shot through with crimson lightening caused by the eruption. It's (literally) awesome.

Despite the suggestions on the news that we were all to be buried under drifts of ash, it has in fact been a beautiful clear, bright, sunny dday - borrowed from June, not April. I cut my (postage-stamp sized) lawn, planted the rest of the lettuces and tomato seedlings I bought yesterday, plus some seedds which may, perhaps, one day become spring onions, and tidied up the (also postage-stamp sized patio. and, as I am still not 100%, in between I spent quite a lot of time sitting in the sunshine doing nothing much bar listen to the bumble bees and birdsong.

Although I did leave the house briefly to take the car to Kwikfit to get a new tyre fitted - whie they were doing tht, I wandered into town and ened up buying two new pairs of jeans, and a bag, and i have seen some shoes I may go back & buy, if they fit (I didn't try them on because I have a rather large blister right now, which doesn't seem the optimum condition for trying on shoes)

It's been a good, relaxing weekend. and next Saturday (volcanos and health permitting) I shall be in London fopr the EvelynEvelyn show.