I’ve been neglecting my friends

8th August 2021

I’ve been so busy with Kimbleton Tardigrade since he came to stay.

I haven’t spoken to some of my other friends for weeks.

What about Ted and Lopsy, and Bimbo, and Didcot, and cousins Peter and Sylvie and Seaford?

I haven’t even spoken to my sister Jenny for more than a month.

I hope they’re all all right.

I had another postcard from Dillion the dragon yesterday.

He’s still playing his harp in Wales.

I dare say with him away, Ellie may be feeling lonely.

I’ll give her a ring.

Ellie’s Book Club is a very enjoyable event. We meet on Zoom and talk about all the books that we’ve been reading.

I’ll see how Jenny’s getting on. And then I think that will be enough conversation for one day.

Oops.

Being retired myself, I forget that a lot of other people are still carrying on as normal.

Or as near to normal as they can.

My friends and relations are all busy with meaningful activities.

I fear I’ve got selfish and lazy.

This time last year I was learning new things, growing beans, trying to cheer people up with my Welsh Cakes, helping to amuse Bimbo while he convalesced, and planning my great bicycling expedition.

This year I don’t feel very motivated to do anything.

Tomorrow I’ll make a plan for a better way of life.

But for now I’ll lie down and think about playing my triangle with Dillion on his harp, on the top of a Welsh mountain.

expeditions and occupations

23rd August 2021

We’ve all been worrying about Walrus and Bruno.

They set off rather recklessly back in January, when we were supposed to be Locked Down.

I feel responsible, because I’d come home from my bicycling trip with many stories about my adventures.

Walrus got excited about the roundabout that I’d taken the Baby on.

It was lovely, but not worth risking one’s life for.

(That dear little Baby. I wish it hadn’t gone away.)

Anyway, Walrus said he couldn’t wait to go and see the roundabout.

So he and Bruno rushed off to the seaside, ignoring the risk to themselves and others from the Virus.

Now Kimbleton has set off to try to find them and persuade them to come back.

Of course it’s not against the rules to travel now, but they’ve been away from home a long time.

Lopsy went to visit Max (Walrus and Bruno live at his house), and she says that he’s been crying his eyes out over them.

I cooked Kimbleton a good breakfast to strengthen them for the journey.

And before they went, I showed them the latest Book Club page, since it was them that suggested the topic.

Kimbleton was pleased that Ellie had taken up their idea of discussing books about invertebrates and microanimals.

Then off they went, without any luggage at all. They say they like to travel light.

I wish they’d walk on the pavement. But they don’t seem afraid of getting squashed by a car.

They say that tardigrades can survive heat, cold, drought, flood, radiation… So perhaps they can survive being squashed too.

Several of my friends have been away for little holidays.

Dillion’s been very good about reporting from Wales, so we haven’t had to worry about him.

He’s been playing his harp all over the place.

He telephoned me from a Welsh castle.

Actually it wasn’t Harlech Castle. I believe it was Llandovery.

He played outside a Welsh emporium.

It happened to be the day when the Carmarthenshire Commandos Motorcycle Club were meeting nearby, so there was a lot of traffic noise.

Not a perfect place for harp-playing, but Dillion said that all the bears and rabbits waved to him as they went by, and he sounded pleased.

It wasn’t any better when he telephoned from the bank of a mountain stream, to play for me by a beautiful Welsh waterfall.

The splashing of the water was so loud that I could hardly make out the sound of the harp at all.

But I did hear him playing with a Welsh Male Voice Choir, which was very nice indeed.

Apparently the choir welcomes any gender these days, including a number of castrati.

I don’t think I’m ready for an expedition yet myself.

But maybe I should try to think of a project.

Ellie’s busy with her nursery, and the Book Club.

Bimbo is coordinating the Zoom Ensemble.

(He’s just told me that I must practise playing with Jenny and Gibbs. I hope one of them can think of some suitable music.)

Little Strawberry is working at the Community Garden, Ruffy’s been helping with children’s holiday activities in the park, and Spencer has been volunteering at the vaccination centre.

They’re all doing good things, but I’m feeling tired and lazy.

Perhaps I’ll read a book about a brass instrument. That will combine relaxation with preparation for the next Book Club meeting.

I’ll try The Trumpet Major.

Of course many terrible things happen in Hardy’s books, but I find it calming to read about Outermost Wessex.

Bunce and Snowy are very happy down there, and Monkey thinks it’s the best place in the world.

Though it’s probably not very peaceful when Trumpet Majors are practising their trumpets.