Please excuse my absence. I've been in England with my brother, Justin, helping my Mum and her husband, John, clear out their loft, shed and garage. John starts chemotherapy tomorrow and the junk in the roof was one burden Justin and I could lift from their shoulders. It was something of a revelation. You may have noticed that supermarkets have stopped dishing out plastic carrier bags. Like me you might have thought it was a 'green' move, but you'd be wrong. It is so that my Mum can't collect any more. She had what seemed like several thousand in her roof, just in case. They were there with the ancient carpet off-cuts, dozens of sets of non-working Christmas lights and at least eleven suitcases. I am so glad no-one's clearing out our loft here at Le Couvent; it's much, much worse.

Good luck for tomorrow John - we'll be thinking of you.

On the other hand one family member had the most superb good luck today. On the pretext of needing help with shifting a large and heavy box one of our friends (with  Ali & I and as pre-warned accomplices) invited my nephew Josh  to her house. Once we were there he and I lugged the box outside to reveal a sheet-covered scooter just behind it. Josh has been saving for a scooter for a while, but didn't expect our wonderful friend to offer him a brand new, 3kms-on-the-clock, Peugeot VivaCity.  Who would? Josh is a sweet boy and yesterday he got to meet a fairy godmother.  Life gives and life takes.  Naturally he was speechless and breathless with shock and gratitude. Lucky, lucky boy. Thank you St Faith.