Kipps is back

Another hot, dry day, with the birds falling silent after their initial exuberance. There's an uneasy sense of the likelihood of fire, one half expects that first crackling in the distance, and dreads the slight wind, ready to spread any fire with sinister speed.

However, we went up to the other, cooler (and usually damper) end of town to lunch with friends. sitting out on their cool verandah and appreciating their orchids and the visiting humming birds. It's an older house, with a comfortable air of tradition and family history, an established garden and some fascinating books. We were there to catch a glimpse of a former resident and frequent visitor, Christopher "Kipps" Pickard (see here) before he returns to the UK tomorrow. He has been down here for the Rio Film Festival. Good company, good food and lots to talk about, so it was evening before we reluctantly set off home again.