We have lunch guests tomorrow, so I spent a lot of the day preparing some of the food. Like dessert and entrée. Dessert is a little honey bee cake and entrée is to be rolled, crumbed and fried pancakes filled with mushroom and ham. It took me the afternoon.
I didn’t mind the time devoted to my kitchen. I love cooking and entertaining. That’s one thing I missed in Sweden. Though it would have been tricky in such a small workspace.
I talked quite a bit about Sweden this morning.
In Waitrose, I chatted with Pamela at the fish counter who seemed pleased I was back. Then I ran into Vivienne at Starbucks who had lots of questions. Vivienne was waiting for Lyn so sat with me until she arrived.
Vivienne told me how she’d stopped her hypnotherapy business as soon as Lockdown #1 started. Without face-to-face, she couldn’t see it working. Then, one random day, she spotted a hypnotherapist in her car (her business was written on the side) and asked her how things were going. This other hypnotherapist said she was going well, using Zoom.
Both of us wondered how that would work.
She now has a job in a school dealing with mental health – her, not the school – and is enjoying it very much.
It’s always lovely having a chat with Vivienne. And, of course, Luna who recognised me straight away. And, actually, this also happened with Alfie when I chatted with the Woman Who’s Had Everything yesterday. Dogs are amazing. And remarkably clever.
Opticians are also very clever.
I had my yearly check up today with Suki Bains. She went off on maternity leave back in 2019 so I haven’t seen her for a while. (Last year I saw Todd, the chap with the impressive waxed moustaches.)
We had a jolly time. Mostly with me telling her about the novel with her as the central character. She demanded a signed copy. I insisted it hadn’t gone through a second draft yet but, as soon as it was published, she’d have a copy.
And my vision has improved. Again.
Then, over selecting pairs of glasses, I monopolised Jackie. She spent a few years in Melbourne as a teenager, so we spent some time discussing ants, redback spiders, brown snakes and how easily Australia can kill you.
Then, back home to my kitchen for the rest of the day.
I didn’t get to see Gardener Dave and the two Toms he brought with him. Mirinda said he missed me and kept bringing me up in conversation while hacking back things in the garden.
And, miracle of miracles, it didn’t rain. Again.
That looks a bit grey but, actually, the weather was bright and sunny most of the day.
