Buds, Burning and a Book

When we drove up through the Algarve, I saw the almond trees were beginning to blossom, but here, they have just started on our neighbour's land, and saw today that we now have buds.

Just as I started Blipping, in a bit of a rush, as going off to Keep Fit in a moment, Alexandre and his truck that we'd been waiting for all day, arrived with Fakir and our firewood. Raced out to get the moment, they'd already finished unloading it, but you get the idea, in extra. It's oak; we've been using our olive wood from last year, but oak burns much more slowly.

Finished Simon Jenkins' new book, A Short (300+ pages) History of Europe. Excellent overview and so pertinent at this moment. A memorable quote from Louis XIV, on his deathbed, "Above all, remain at peace with your neighbours. I loved war too much." Can we do it??