I frequently get fixated by things and at this moment it’s beautiful wood. Maybe that’s because we spent a happy hour in our local reclamation yard this morning and I got to fondle a lot of very beautiful wood. (As an aside we also managed to buy a perfectly proportioned dining room door for a mere £30. It needs a bit of work - the panels need knocking apart then gluing back together but we are more than capable of rising to that challenge.) I’ve never been in a reclamation yard before although have been fascinated by the idea for ages. I’m definitely going to be a regular now I’ve got started…assuming I can start to rely on an income. They contain a wealth of source material for those of us who believe in the reuse, don’t buy new philosophy.

The reason for this shot is to show off my beautiful oak table. I wanted reflections in its brindle patterns. I didn’t quite achieve what I wanted but I made my little pig’s snout the star of the show through my fruity pic!

On a strange day when I could be tempted to think that swanning around a reclamation yard and lounging around on the sofa with DM and Jeff Stelling (COYS) was all I did, I managed to make some serious progress on the mural preparation and wash, dry, iron and put away two loads of washing…not to mention making a load of pies to put in the freezer for quick suppers when I come home from work. Oh you have no idea how thrilling it is to be starting work. I’m starting my new job on my 54th birthday and regardless of the fact that the following day would have probably been preferable, I will still regard it as the best pressie anyone could give me!