We had a great spotted woodpecker in the garden this morning – Julia saw it and managed to get to a camera before it slipped away. She only managed one shot, but it was good. They are not rare in gardens, but we have been waiting eighteen months to see one.

Not the world’s most impressive bird, particularly for those of you who live in tropical paradises, or even Maine, but it’s quite bright for Britain. I could probably have edited it slightly better, but this way you see less of the fence, which needs painting. It has no red on its head so is probably a mature female. Males have a red nape and juveniles have a red cap.

She washed a yellow happi coat  in what they call a hygiene wash yesterday. It used to be a boil was, even though it only gets up to 60 degrees C. The yellow dye is not colourfast at that temperature and we ended up with a lot of yellowish underwear and tea towels. That doesn’t matter, but she also dyed a favourite t-shirt and is a little downcast by it.

Bouncing back from yesterday’s adversity I have found a poetry magazine that is accepting submissions, and it will suit the five I had returned yesterday. Tonight I will tighten them up and then I will send them. Even if they are returned again, it will be good to show confidence.

These are the small things that make up my day.

Poppies growing from cracks in concrete – I really must try to get some established around here.

And, of course, naps.

We also prepared a box of stuff that No 1 son left behind on his visit, and presents for the grandson’s first birthday. International postage has got more complicated over the years, and more expensive.  I cut the box down to make sure it passed as a small parcel in both height and weight, then arranged for the Royal Mail to collect it tomorrow. It is considerably cheaper if you book it via the internet rather than taking it into a Post Office. About £11 in this case, which seems wrong. The Royal mail and the Post Office should work together. Soon all post offices will be closed down, I expect, through lack of business, and people won’t have anywhere local to conduct business as the internet will have taken over.

Puffins at Bempton – they are lovely birds, but always seem a bit glum. This one appears to be contemplating throwing himself off a cliff. However, along with that mournful expression his creator gave him wings, which will prevent any unfortunate events.