Behold the noble labourer with his heavy burden

They have nearly finished building a new Premier Inn in Canterbury. My breath is not bated.

I wanted to be "a man who digs the road" when I was young, then later, "a fireman," "a man who mends the television," and "a building man." I still admire people who make or do things. Most jobs now seem to involve paper and pixels alone. Here today gone tomorrow, chaff.

Today was my half-day and for once I got away on time. Since leaving work I have; had lunch, taken lots of photos, walked the dogs, been to the gym, cooked and eaten tea - spaghetti with puttanesca sauce (with help from Nigel Slater), been to my sculpture class and, most recently, drunk a very refreshing can of cold Kronenbourg 1664. I feel I used my time well (not always the case).

The dogs are itching for another walk, so I'll sign off now and do that before bed.