Life post-‘completion’

AAA

I took the car to Kilmartin for it to fail the MOT. Had a nice walk by Kilmartin burn, no sign of spawning salmon or seatrout; plenty of weed still evident. I also noticed a field maple, that lover of calcareous conditions, reflecting the burn’s locally unusual pH balance. Driving both there and back I’d noticed a small flock of fieldfares and redwings on the stretch of the Kilberry Road with the spectacular abundance of rowan berries. I was wrong to write that these Scandinavian thrushes were not really eating the berries; along this stretch of road every tree has been stripped; picked clean.

HOUSE: the articulated arm for the new little TV arrived so I screwed it to the wall and attached the telly.

How to keep the top door open while the TV is in use? Over the months I’ve thought about all manner of mechanical devices but wanted something, effective, minimal and neat; something that wouldn’t get in the way of, or damage, the books on the shelves.

For too long two rolls of seagrass matting have been lying in the living room, so last week I moved everything out of the spare bedroom, out onto the landing or into our bedroom, and made space downstairs to unroll and cut the seagrass.

After cutting a strip off the side of the roll I found that, thanks to the supplier, neither of the ends was cut at right angles. The last long uncut side was a bit wavy too and the best answer seemed to be to take it upstairs, tack the longest side against the wall and take it from there. Once I’d made my approximate cuts we re-rolled the matting and enlisted Jasper to help carry it upstairs. Less difficult than expected!

This matting has a natural latex backing and diagonally the whole sheet seems to have some elasticity. Manoeuvring it in the bedroom was at first daunting because it was bigger than the floor area, but when I folded the corners into the centre it was fine and I managed to get the almost straight edge stapled to the floor pretty snug with the skirting. Other edges were then shoved and teased into place, stapled down and then trimmed.

Hopefully our bedroom will be more straightforward, but this first piece needed cuts on three edges to fit it into the doorway, several doorways of cupboards and round the bedhead beneath the mirror.

We are fans of seagrass; it smells great, like a hay meadow, and feels nice under bare feet.

I’m chasing house insurance and hope to have it in place by the end of today. The car is in Tarbert having worn components renewed and a broken spring replaced. The MOT garage said to call when it was fixed and they’d squeeze me in; on the way I’ll have two new tyres fitted (the tread’s on its last 0.4mm, not quite illegal). When I dropped the car I also got my flu and C19 jag (the local terminology which sounds sharper than a ‘jab’) and had an hour or so mooching along the waterfront with my new telephoto lens. Despite a sunny morning the day had darkened, but I still took some shots. None great but a useful beginning.

I was once a Blue Aeroplane and Gerard invited me to play one, or both if I liked, of the band’s pre-Christmas gigs. I’ve opted for both and have been practicing the numbers I’ll (probably) be playing. My hands, uncomfortable with osteoarthritis, are coping passably well putting most of the notes (that I can hear) close to their right places with something like the original feeling. Working out just what I was doing all those (forty) years ago is a very particular puzzle.

I hadn’t quite factored in needing to be away for two weeks, but with three rehearsals and an extremely proficient and sympathetic bunch of musicians, it should be a joy… plus I should get plenty of valuable time with my kids in London.

The Blue Aeroplanes play at the Fleece in Bristol on Saturday November 30 and Sunday (matinee) 8 December.

Now, what about that other roll of seagrass?