First poppy of the season

I managed to contact my Apple Repair service after verifying with Apple engineers that my problem was covered by warranty and it needed urgent help. I knew that, but you have to go through the hoops.

Grafx said to bring it over so Helena clambered into the attic (she volunteered, the darling) to find the original iMac box, which is huge. On the way up the ladder she mentioned the poppy we could see outside the window in the front garden would make a good blip. I had already clocked it but wasn't thinking I would be bothered to blip.

But I did get my camera and poked it out of the tiny window and here is the first of the majestic poppies that we will have for weeks to come. I transplanted a cutting from my parents last house soon after we moved here. I have given a way a few cuttings since then, and have noticed that it has self-seeded a few yards away on the other side of the flower beds.

I took the computer back to Cheltenham and was told that if I paid £36 I could have the repair fast tracked, with no idea when it might be fixed. I was only too pleased to pay that as it was under warranty and would have cost hundreds to get fixed otherwise.

I went home and managed to use Helena's Macbook but my desk looked so strange and empty without the big beast. (Actually I must admit i t looked less cluttered and i made a note to try and get rid of all my junk!!!!!).

I did manage to get my email and to view my blip page on my iPod touch, so I wasn't too distraught. I did get some kind comments of sympathy. We are all likely to have a computer failure so I do recommend the sense of well-being that a good back-up gives me.

(back blipped on Wednesday)