Sunshine and Smoke

We had a bonfire this morning, the first of the autumn. The heap has been growing all summer in its little corner behind the hazel coppice, and since we've had no real rain for weeks, it was good and ready to burn. 

To add to the gaiety, a stiff breeze was blowing and the sun was shining out of a luminous blue sky. The effect was quite magical to behold (though it was too hot to get close to, and the smoke was very pungent). Luckily the wind was blowing uphill, away from the neighbours.

In the afternoon we took my car down to the garage and left it there to be MOTed tomorrow. Then we walked home - three and a half miles, and the equivalent of 12 flights of stairs. It took just over an hour, including a stop half way to buy a bar of chocolate to keep me going ....

Now on the sofa till it is time for Vigil - hope I can stay awake.