Bit more showery today, but I still managed to get outside a fair bit. Quick tidy round, then hung a load of towels out. There was a good breeze, so they were nearly dry when a heavy shower came on around lunchtime.

I was meaning to crack on with the polycrub clearance but got distracted by pruning some broken branches on the willows.

Normally the trees can cope with the winds, but it usually dies down from May to September. This year it hasn't and the trees have been in full leaf, so much heavier. I had theee or four that had partially broken and were hanging down. One was over the driveway and was impeding the car, and one was over the patio flower bed. Once I started, I found other branches to cut back too. I'll be able to root lots of cuttings though.

After lunch, I planted some broad bean and pea seeds, and carried on with the polycrub, but I ran out of steam, so came in and sat with a cup of tea. I'm not sleeping well just now, so I'm being mindful of my energy levels. I did get a good bit done though. The beds are all cleared - just need to top them with fresh compost, and I moved a lot of plant pots into the shed. I have a large shelving unit in there, but I've decided to get rid of it as it just collects junk. I'm sure it would be more useful as a planting space- maybe a big plant in a pot like a fig - or even a grape vine.

Dinner was spaghetti and ham - an old family dish that my mother would make. For me it's a real comfort food - a weird recipe containing spaghetti, bacon and onion, baked in a sauce consisting mainly of tomato ketchup. What can I say? It works - and it's really easy when you're tired and can't think of anything else to make.

I actually remember the first time we had this, back in the late 60s. One of our neighbours gave my mother the recipe. I can still see it scribbled on a piece of torn notepaper. We'd never seen pasta before - it was a very exotic ingredient in Central Scotland in those days. I remember it came wrapped in blue paper, and how funny it was having to hold it uoright in the bubbling pan of water until it softened down. Mum baked it in a pyrex casserole dish - the one with the red rose design. It quickly became a household favourite, surprisingly, given my Dad's preference for meat and two veg.

Anyway- it hit the spot, then I just spent the evening watching a couple of episodes of the Victorian Farm and getting on with my knitting. Long day in town tomorrow