Mach Monday.

It didn't rain at all today and we saw some lovely sunshine as we drove up to Mach.

As I sat outside with my tea I saw a female blackbird perched on top of the street hedge. Then she suddenly flew down into the garden and disappeared from sight probably to the rockery right under the terrace. Even though I haven't put seeds out on the terrace for months mainly because the birds kept leaving droppings but also because any wind just blew the seeds away, I wondered if she was coming for food. Sure enough having made a vertical take off she appeared on the edge of the terrace, slid under the glass and had a futile hunt for seeds. Of course I went and got some seeds but by that time the blackbird had gone down for a bath instead. Later in the afternoon I saw a robin collecting the last few seeds from the terrace. Our neighbour behind us keeps a well stocked bird table and feeders so I know the local birds aren't going hungry.

Then my eye was caught by the smoke of what I hope was a bonfire. As it was at least four or five miles away I couldn't zoom in to pick out more details. It did go out fairly quickly.

This morning we were in the library in Mach along with the busy mother and baby group. We did more from the exam practice papers, finished the book we were reading, went over last week's homework and then.... had a look at the first unit of the sylfaen course. It wasn't too hard as the course would usually start after the long summer holiday with possibly a new tutor and a new group of students. The first unit is mainly revision and 'getting to know you' exercises.

In the afternoon I baked a Bara Brith and did some more cleaning in our bedroom. I wiped down the Venetian blinds, the jugs and other bits on the sills and the two large windows. I also hand washed one of the muslin 'net' curtains. I had washed the first one a while back but hadn't got round to do the second one until now. There might even be time now to do a bit more sequin pinging.

From yesterday's walk.