Morning workout

Nothing like starting the day with a tough workout at the brain gym, although Monday's Daily Telegraph crossword is usually the easiest of the week (not today). Gill likes to get to it first. You have to make these concessions in a marriage.

I like to blip pictures like this since they're a nice reminder in the dark days of winter of those rare summer days when you can be in the garden morning and evening. A lot to do today, however, with a busy two weeks in prospect.

I'm trying not to look too much at the river levels and catches on the Dee - after all, its six weeks before we go - but I can't help noticing the river is getting low and the catches seem to be dropping. It's a worry.

If you happen to be a Telegraph reader and want to improve your crossword solving there's a good web site here, only to be consulted in extremis and for learning purposes. Haven't looked today yet, but might need to by the end of the day, the way things aren't going.

Why she's wearing a heavy towelling bathrobe, God only knows. The sun is cracking the flags again.