Day 30 - Mosquitoes

First order of business, at 6.30am, is to sweep all the dead bodies from the guesthouse’s reception area.

Before gardening I douse myself with repellent. They particularly like my ankles. In the afternoon, we close windows at 4pm – otherwise we’ll not be able to sleep with their constant humming in our ears.

(I have recently started plugging an electric repellent into the wall at night.)

The kittens love eating them and meow with frustration if one flies just out of their reach.

It’s now summer, their time. Winter is just round the corner. I wait with patience in my hammock.

Day 31 - Brexit

“Oliver, did you know Britain separated from Europe today?”

Yes I did, though I had other things on my mind.

Like the dream I had, where a beautiful young man made me company.

Like the couple I served breakfast to – who own a guesthouse by the sea and who stay with us nearly every month.

Like the hammock I lay in by 10am, unsure of what to do with the rest of my day.

Like the sky that clouded over just as the sun was setting.

Like the kitties who sprang back inside, their coats wet with rain.

Like anything.