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And…away!

 

It looks like five of the six eggs have hatched. I managed to snap this photo an hour ago of five baby swallows fledged and ready to face the world. I’ve seen two of them - the largest of the five - out on a test flight with their parents, which was very brave of them given how buffetty it is today. The weather bodes warm and dry this coming week so I expect they’ll all be out testing their wings and making my use of the washing machine an extreme sport. 

We are expecting more rain today. It hasn’t been as hefty as forecast (protection from the Cheshire Gap, I expect) but it’s not a day to be outside very much. Nell and I have enjoyed an extensive walk along the canal in town and now I have a date with some writing, some studying and a bit of fiction reading. I’m scooting through a Kate Atkinson novel at the moment, called ‘Emotionally Weird.’ It is HILARIOUS - beautifully nuanced on the character observation front and I have emitted many snorts and mini-guffaws thus far. Kate Atkinson is a cracking writer. Makes me feel quite jealous. 

Yesterday afternoon, I watched the biopic ‘Judy’ starring Renee Zellweger as Judy Garland. It was released over five years ago but is currently on BBC i-Player. I found it riveting and tragic, and my heart wept for Judy Garland. It is rare that a film will bring a tear to my eye, but this one did. Just. 

I am going to buy some nice notebooks today. I love the ones from the company Roger La Borde. I have decided I’d like to start keeping handwritten diaries again. I mean, I do keep a diary anyway but it’s more for keeping track of appointments, shopping, socialising, finances etc…daily grind stuff, as I call it. I am thinking more along the lines of ‘Diary of a Provincial Lady’ by E.M Delafield. Written in 1934, it is another very funny book. In fact, I think I shall put it on my reading pile to read again. 

Comments

Anonymous said…
Glad to read the birds are doing well. Nice return on their investment! Oh dear, I really need to get out of the corporate world! I have added both books to my wish list. I don’t remember if I have ever read anything by Kate Atkinson I feel sure I have one of her books in my ‘to-be-read-later’ section. I finished a shawl that I “inherited” so I have at least got that done. Work is on another level. I just survived another reorg and I know I’m lucky but not sure it feels as fortunate as it should this time around. Oh well, onwards and upwards.
KJ
8 June 2025 at 12:57
Denise said…
You sound run off your feet, KJ. Congratulations on completing that shawl - now I prescribe a lot of reading! I’ve read several of Kate Atkinson’s novels and enjoyed every single one. And the baby swallows are a joy to watch. I never grow tired of this yearly fledging event!
8 June 2025 at 17:17
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