Summer is here, at last… for how long, who knows, things seem muy variable this year, but for now the sun is hot, the sky is deep blue, there is a faint breeze – perfect. This morning I had my inaugural early morning swim in the Big Blue Bathtub – com’ un espejo, and narry a medusa in sight… heaven (after the initial shock – the water is still very cold), and entirely to myself… yes…
I have been gathering cactus and succulent cuttings from friends far and wide, intent on turning this into a less water-dependent finca. Looking good – the only problem is the tortugas – they LOVE them and have been feasting on pretty much everything I’ve planted – it’s going to be war soon… they are great to have around the place but NOT when they eat my garden! Talking of diminishing plants, Sebastian hired a truck with a grua and we pruned the pine by the road one morning (with Madji’s help – he’s here fixing his boat) – a bit like a haircut, first one side was too short, then the other, so now there is LOTS of early morning sun coming in – the bougainvillea against the garage wall is already showing its appreciation, and I have planted a few colourful things along the path of the early morning sun… of course the tortugas like them too…
Very disappointing news from Bonhams – neither painting sold. So now we owe THEM money – not at all what I had in mind… And the price of Saltoun got lowered by a chunk as a result of the 60 page surveyor’s report… so much for thinking I’d got it all sorted…. best laid plans… plus Diana is not at all well and may not make it out here next week… and if she does, she will be a basket case. hey ho… I am still headed for Italy at the end of the month, for a week’s rehearsal on Orfeo, in spite of missing musicians and unfinished charts… soldiering on… I’m going for another swim…