We met my sister near Grantham this afternoon, having had a blood test and a burger on the way. We had slightly undercooked cake and discussed next year’s campaign of scones and afternoon teas which I am planning as part of my retirement.

I have had a book about eels recommended to me (it’s a long story) but I can’t get it on Kindle and I’ve promised Julia I will stop buying books until after we move. Even after giving away huge numbers of books we will still be taking hundreds with us. These days you need to have a well-stocked books case behind you if you want to be taken seriously on Zoom calls.

OK, I’m not actually sure what a Zoom call involves, but I know you need books behind you.

Botham’s Whitby

Talking of which I am being nagged into downloading WhatsApp. I’m not keen but it’s going to be the easiest way to communicate while Julia is in Canada. And the cheapest. However, to download it o my computer I have to open it on my phone first. I don’t have my phone fully connected to the Internet and would like to keep it that way. Nothing is simple, and everything wants to force you into being connected to the internet. It’s full of fraudsters, reality TV stars and influencers. Frankly, it’s not much different, in my humble opinion (as I believe they say on social media) to bathing in a cesspit. However, as Julia doesn’t believe I can survive on my own I will probably have to get connected. When she returns, I will disconnect.

You already know what I think of modern life, so I won’t say it again.

Tea, scones and sunshine. Bettys, Harlow Carr