Here I am, popping up again after a couple of months.

It has been a glorious day, sunny and warm. The first real summer day for weeks. I was busy this morning, out to the gym and shops, then meeting up with a couple of friends for lunch. All very pleasant. The town was busy - heaving, as they say. A large cruise ship was in from Germany and the passengers were all ashore, strolling about in the sunshine, going about on bikes, or boarding the tour buses for a day trip. I hope they had a nice day.

When I got home, I was going to bash on with the gardening, but I thought - no - I’ll actually sit outside in the sun and relax while I’ve got the chance. So, that’s just what I did. I re-read most of “A Month in the Country”, by J.L. Carr - losing myself in that hot summer of 100 odd years ago. It was just what I needed. I kept 20 pages to read in bed tonight.

I had brought the boy some takeaway pizza home in the afternoon, so I just had a slice of the leftovers for dinner, as it was quite a filling lunch. Later there was a board meeting on Teams, which I’m getting used to.

We’re watching the football - Spain is winning. I think they will win the whole thing. It would be nice for those young English boys, I do support them - it’s the commentators that alienate it for me.

I was offline during most of May - boy’s exams and then the anniversary of John’s passing. 9 years. I found it particularly difficult this year, for some reason. Every year is different, but there is always some kind of somatic response in the days around that date. I’ve learned to give in to it.

Then, just as that cloud was lifting, my Dad died at the beginning of June. It was very unexpected. Even though he was 88, he had kept in pretty good health, and certainly didn’t look his age. The day before he took ill, he and my stepmother had been at the theatre in Edinburgh. He felt ill the next day, went to the GP the following day, and was admitted to hospital the day after that. Pneumonia.

We flew down to visit, fully expecting him to recover, but sadly, the infection could not be controlled, and he passed away peacefully the next day. We were all there, and had time with him. It was a good death, which is all you can really take from the situation.

The funeral was nearer the end of the month, as these things take longer on the mainland. It gave us time to prepare and to gather everyone together. It was sad, but also fulfilling.

And now I’m home, with his swiss army knife and barbecue apron, among other mementos, getting used to this orphan status. I’m very thankful I had him as my Dad for so long.