What's normality again?

I think today could be classed as a return to a normal life, though as our normal for much of the summer has been cloud and rain today's gentle sunshine and occasional warmth was rather different. I woke aware of the things I'd been putting off "until after the consecration", which to the outsider might sound quite grand but was in fact just me procrastinating. Part of it was, of course, collecting together clothes for the holiday and knowing that some of them would be on my back a couple of days ago, so this morning I put on a big dark washing before I had breakfast, and had it out on the line between porridge and toast. (No: the porridge and toast were not on the line.)

After clearing up, washing the sink, disposing of mystery spatters which I thought signalled a too-random disposal of coffee-grounds, we had coffee in the garden before I headed upstairs to look for things I haven't worn since our last real holiday 18 months ago. (Note to self: Tilley hat ...) But before I could concentrate on that I had to write the Intercessions for Sunday and still have to put paper in the printer or they'll be languishing on the computer instead of in my hand when I need them ...

You can tell this day's been getting to me ... eventually we gave up organising ourselves and drove down to the end of Loch Striven to have a quiet walk away from the gradually impinging sounds of Cowal Games Weekend. That's where I took this photo, of the mooring pier at the Fuel Depot, which always makes me think of the poem Flannan Isle.  (I actually think they're cormorants from the things they do with their wings) I might have taken further photos were it not for a phone call from Di wanting to debrief on the week ...

Home again I had further church business to do with photographs - some of mine, needed for a project; some as gifts to me, taken on Wednesday. Then it was time for a glass of chilled white followed by Himself's curry - and a largely unconscious evening in front of the telly - though I managed to rouse myself to appreciate the last movement of Beethoven's 9th from the proms, which was fascinating to see rather than just hear. 

I've been thinking a lot about the jobs that involve looking after the spritual wellbeing of others, but that will require another entry - if indeed it ever reaches that level of organisation!