The seasons really are rolling on here in Southport, not that I’m here for much longer. Yesterday we were treated to rain lashing down which caught me unawares as I’d misread the forecast. That said, which forecast do you trust as there’s so many of ’em out there nowadays? Then there’s the newspapers which put their own slant on things – especially the ones trying to push the idea that climate change is a ‘hoax’.

None of that was any comfort to me as I made a very wet journey from town to my sisters. The rain was so heavy that I gave up walking and used my ‘old fart’ pass to catch a bus for the last half mile! Today the weather’s changed again. Now we’re confronted by high winds, but at least that’s keeping the rain away – which is just as well as I pegged a load of washing out on the line this morning, ready to head back to West Yorkshire before the start of my next adventure. Whilst said washing was doing its thing in the machine I spent a fruitful hour with a toothbrush and mold remover, scrubbing clean the grouting in sis’s bathroom. It’s quite a therapeutic exercise – as long as the moggie doesn’t intrude as ‘Willow’ loves leaping into the bath to drink from the taps. Not a great idea when the bathroom is dripping with mold remover. Willow was most annoyed when I chased her out!

Now I’m in the local library to type this and sort out a last few admin details ready for next week’s trip. I’ll get back to Yorkshire tomorrow to see Dawn for a few days, then on Tuesday morning I’ll be off on my European odyssey. I’ve ferries/trains/hotels booked as far as the end of Innotrans in Berlin on the 26th, after that I’ll see. Who knows where I might end up? Having had annual travel insurance through the same company (Columbus) for donkey’s years I’ve had to find a new one. As soon as I turned 66 Columbus tripled the premium and wouldn’t budge – despite the fact I’ve never claimed. Now I’m insured with SAGA, which is rather sobering as it’s an indicator of my age! I won’t crack the old jokes about what SAGA stands for (what? you mean Send a Granny Away, or Sex and Games for the Aged? Ed) but at least I’m covered.

For now I’ll leave you with today’s picture, which is an indicator of the seasons change. Is it really this time of year already?

I’ve a small favour to ask…
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Cheers,

Paul