02

Brian and Alice almost have to run around the shower to get wet. A slight turning of the cold water tap produces more cold than a journey to the North Pole in mid-Winter. Not that I'm exagerrating of course!

We had most of Brian's relatives over having a peer-through, and thoroughly approving. And then John and Ronda Philpot, and Chris Philpot, their son, turned up. They used to live here, many moons ago, and were understandably curious as to the changes in the place. They moved on in '87, due to too many children and not enough bedroom space, apparently, though, suprisingly little had changed, including some of the curtains!

Those of you who have been reading this column for some time might recall that the Philpots are Alice's Godparents, and all of them do substantial amounts for our local Salvation Army Corps. Wonderful people.

So I am sitting here in front of my computer that is sitting on my brand new desk (a gift from my husband, bless him, and bargained by me at our local Target department store for an astonishingly great price!), munching again on my favourite fruit, apricots. Brian is doing the same thing in front of the TV, and the only reason Alice isn't joining us is that she is in bed asleep. I just hope and pray we don't get any tummy aches.

Our landlords are lovely people, and Alex is an electrician. Bob, one of our next door neighbours, is a plumber, often employed by Alex and his wife, Carol.

We have a lot more packing and still more unpacking to do. We had our first dinner here tonight, and it was a wonderful gentle Tandoori chicken.

Brian discovered we have parsley growing well here, and I can't wait to include it in many dishes. I love fresh parsley!

If any of you have any hints or tips about gardening in windy, salt-laden climates, I'd be obliged to hear from you.

Alice and I took Mowgli for a walk along the beach this morning (Brian had been working until 3:30AM, and a morning constitutional at 7 seemed a bit silly to me), and we had a great time, What fascinated us was a carcass of a seal. The head and tail, obviously the more interesting bits, had been munched down to the bone. The rest was intact bar the fur which was quite patchy.

I'll let you know how things are progressing here. It's great being away from the bugs, rats and mice. And the soot.

Marinal

All night I hear the waves

as they crash upon the shore

Like a favourite CD

damaged but still loved

the same sound

wanders through my subconscience

and lodges there,

peaceful, serene.

I know the power and tumult

not far away

but already I am sleepy

and this noise is such a soporific!