The back wall of the abri is now finished and looks really good; straight and level. It’s quite an achievement for Chris, working under Nick’s supervision and a very hot sun.

I’ve done some more balcony painting, but the enormity of the task is just setting in; it’s going to take me weeks! At the moment, I can only work outside in the mornings as it’s just too hot after lunch; it’s now 8.30pm and still 34ºC, far too hot for wellies, but as it seems we’ve got garden fleas, which love me (forty plus bites on my feet and ankles!) I have to don wellies every time I go into the garden. Très élégant with my summer dresses!