A simple day

Wake at 1:30 am with stomach cramps and a violent need to use the toilet. Fortunately I had some immodium tablets left from a previous attack and these quieten things down and I sleep until eight. This morning the sky is blue and the sun is shining brightly, after a breakfast of toast, honey and coffee, I shower and dress and plan my day. The main tasks are the gardens, the good weather is forecast only for today, so first, put on a coloured wash and then mow the lawns front and back, trim the edges and weed the flower beds. It's pleasant work sat on my little tripod stool in the sun, drinking tea as I work my way round the beds. Around Noon I break for half an hour and prepare lunch, a small leg of lamb that I rub with olive oil, rosemary, garlic, salt and black pepper. I place this on a bed of whole carrots, parsnips, potatoes and onion in a roasting tin and set it on a moderate heat in the oven. Whilst its cooking, I chop some spring cabbage and peel some more potatoes and put these in a pressure cooker for later. This done, I hang out my coloureds, put on a load of whites and then continue gardening until the work is done. Around two thirty break for lunch. The lamb and roast vegetables are cooked, but just need browning off, I remove the roasting tin lid and turn up the oven to full heat and then put the pressure cooker on. When the lamb and vegetables are browned, I remove them from the roasting tin and cover them with foil to rest, drain off the fat and then add some lamb stock and reduce this in the roasting tin, to make a gravy, drain the cabbage and potatoes, carve the meat and lunch is ready. I eat in the garden, the lamb is tender and the sweetness of the roast vegetables fully brings out its flavour. As ever there is enough left for lunch or dinner tomorrow. I save the bone and the fat for the dogs. After a black coffee, I bring in my coloureds, hang out the whites and then set too and wash and polish the car, and then vacuum the inside, it hasn't been done since Aunty Marion's funeral, almost a month ago. Whilst the vac is out, give the house a run through and then wash up and tidy up the kitchen. It's six o'clock now, so make a pot of tea and drink this sat on my garden bench, enjoying the late afternoon sun whilst reading my new book, "The Shadow of The Wind", by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The sun dips behind the house at seven and suddenly it's cold, I bring in the washing, make some bread and honey and more tea, and then read until bedtime. A simple but good day, tomorrow, all being well, I will mow the lawns at Cherry after taking the dogs out.