Brewing

I went swimming in the afternoon today instead of my usual morning, and enjoyed watching the pigeons circling around the pool again, and then landing in the roof of the leisure centre with their little claws tip-tapping against the edge of the roof. The moon is nearly full and looked very bright against the darkening blue sky. 

We have been having a pleasant time since we arrived home from London last Wednesday. James went beer brewing with Gerry on Thursday in Ashton Lane, his 60th birthday present from Gerry and Christine. He had a great time and will return to collect his five litres of beer in a couple of weeks. While the boys were occupied Christine and I explored the antique shops in Ruthven Lane and then went to Mellis’ Cheese Shop in Great Western Road, as well as having a lovely lunch in Oran Mor. The boys had just finished their brewing when we returned to meet them at Innis & Gunn, and were enthusiastically sampling some more beers. 

We have been enjoying lots of quality time with the kitties, who like to keep tabs on us when we are in the house; casually turning up in the same rooms as us and keeping us company. When we are watching television Flora usually lies on my lap, and Tom lies on James’ lap. From time to time they march us to their food bowls to refill them, and to give them drinks and snacks. They have their favourite spots to nap during the day; Flora enjoys lying in the warm pipes in the upstairs hall while Tom favours the couch in my study. At night they disappear outside to get up to who knows what in the darkness. But by morning they are back inside, waiting for us to wake up and feed them their breakfast. It’s all very companionable.