I was late getting to work this morning because I had a busy start – taking Julia to breakfast, helping her buy cement, fighting my way through several sets of road works and, finally, dropping her off at the garden.
That left me with twenty minutes to get to work, which was only just enough. Technically,I wasn’t late, as I was still there a few minutes before I was due to start. In practice, it felt late as I like to get settled and have an unhurried start to the day.
There were two big sales on at Spinks in London this morning and the boss was bidding on line. (I won’t add a link to Spinks as I’m currently arguing with them – I bought two lots off them a months ago – they lost one lot and the other was nothing like the description. They are not, currently, my favourite auctioneer.)
The problem was that my computer, though old and clunky, is probably the best in the shop, and is the only one with sound.
That meant I started late, answered some stupid questions from customers, and then had to swap computers when the auction started. It’s surprising how much a strange workstation slows you down.
I don’t mind questions when they have a point, but some are just a waste of time and energy.
Eventually the auction finished. It seems to have been quite successful, though everything seemed a little more expensive than he would have liked.
I had a similar experience when I looked in on an auction in the afternoon. I’d decided to save my money by not bidding, but two the three lots I would have bid on went for more than I wanted to pay so I’d have left empty-handed anyway. I’ve spent enough recently so it’s good to save.
Fortunately we managed to make a few sales in the shop too – it’s nice to get a bit back after all the buying we’ve been doing.
Julia rang me in the afternoon. She’d been working in the garden when she noticed some commotion by the polytunnel. There are two nestboxes with Great Tit families in them and the one by the polytunnel was under attack from a magpie, which had its head stuck in the hole.
Great Tit at Wilford
She chased it away and we’re hoping it won’t be back.
I know it’s nature, but there are plenty of other things to eat.