Wild Strawberry

I was still feeling a bit ‘anti-social’ today, just wanting solitude again. There was a small text conversation in the morning with Lee the decorator about which make and shade of paint I’d like. Dulux Magnolia, please. Trade or DIY? Trade, and could I have a satin finish in white on the woodwork please. Oil or water-based? Water-based, but happy to be guided about whatever’s best. He’ll see how his work’s going tomorrow, and will hopefully be able to do my job at the end of next week. As soon as I know for sure, I have the excitement of going to Maldon to choose and order the carpet, and then confirm the fitting dates for that and the wardrobes. Can’t wait!!

I received a cheque today from the insurance company to reimburse £6.20 they should have paid when I closed the account following Mum’s death (more than two years ago!). I shall go along to the nearest branch of my bank, several miles away, to pay that in together with a cheque for £3.44 from British Gas which they should have paid me when I closed the account following my move from the flat in Chesham (nearly nine months ago). I’m wondering if the petrol to drive to the bank will actually be covered by the sum total of £9.64…..?

A couple of hours or so spent tidying up the back garden this afternoon was really pleasant, but hasn’t made overly much of a difference in the grand scheme of things even though I’ve half-filled the big garden waste bin with leaves and weeds. I think I will book my lovely window cleaning chap to jet wash the patio soon, and also go ahead with ordering the awning I’ve had a quote for.

One of the nicer bits of wildness popping up everywhere in my garden is an ever larger amount of wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca). Although they’re not for humans to eat, I don’t mind them because they have pretty little flowers (pictured), and the birds love them.