It has taken a month to get to number 6, which I'm told is pretty quick. The next part will take about a year. A year. And that's with a very simple will to execute. It's because there's a house to value & sell. A year. Phew.

Apparently we can move house on the 9th September. That's quite soon, isn't it? I'm sure that's not going to be a problem at all. Right? Right. Memorial next week. Funeral the week after. Move house the week after that. Peachy. You know, I'm gonna need another cup of tea.

It's his memorial mass tomorrow and his funeral next week - he always hoped for a good death - but for him, this was inextricably linked to living a good life. I think he did both. I'm so lucky - he taught me to celebrate every aspect of really living, right up until you die.

Random neighbour at Papa's memorial: That was the best thing I've ever heard in a church Me: Thanks RNAPM: You must have done it before Me: Well, not for my pa RNAPM: Me: RNAPM: Me: RNAPM: Me: So? RNAPM: Yes? Pause Me: Would you like a ladder to get out of the hole?

Played condolences bingo at Papa's memorial today. Got a full house. Going to break my buy nothing in 2024 (yes - still doing that) embargo and get something really nice.

I counted the papa related emails, texts, & dms I've still to answer.. that was my second mistake. The first was replying to a bunch before I'd checked to see which ones were urgent & which were past their sell by date. I'll get there. Eventually. (172 in case you're wondering.)

At the stage of packing boxes where there are things that could be packed but might be used in the next two weeks, so it's hard to decide, and suddenly, there's an impasse and I am stopped in my tracks by possibility and end up packing next to nothing. Tea.

Funeral chap: I knew your dad Me: Oh yes? FC: proper gent, loved the village, loved his football, lovely guy all round Me: All true FC: came & did the opening on the new building - cut the ribbon & all Me: He did FC: *I hand him a hankie* FC: Sorry. Suddenly got to me

Sam: Gardens tomorrow? Me: Yup Sam: And next week? Me: Also, yup Sam: Is this some green is good for us nature cure thing? Me: Sam: Me: Sam: Me: Well.. Pause Me: Let's choose to make it so

Chelsea Physic Garden. Doing what it does.

Ghosts, gadgets and country houses galore! Come and hear me talking about them all at the Buckingham History Festival, 3.30 on Saturday 14 September buckinghamhistoryfestival.org/speakers/adria…

House move starts Sunday and will last for six days. It involves four, wait, five locations. Phew. Can't wait for life to begin again.

Guy Shrubsole's excellent new book ‘The Lie of the Land’ is out this week. You can also catch him in person on tour this autumn too. Finishing reading my copy in a wooden cabin at the top of a rewilded Welsh valley on a rainy Sunday feels just about right!

Move starts this afternoon.

The prelude in C Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed on the archlute by David Tayler 🎶

Among the cardboard box mountains of Wales. Arrived. Unloaded. Made tea.

A skylight above the bed. Swallows zip past. The only sound, birdsong. The only taste, sweetness. I swathe the air on scything wing. An anticipation of possibilities. An expectation of small joys. A toast of memories still to come. And breathe. And breathe. Release.

A year ago.. Papa: have you got a big box? Me: sure Later Papa: can I have 13 A4 envelopes? Me: ok Later Papa: do you have any labels? Me: I'll get some Later Papa: can this go in the cupboard? Me: of course, what's in it? Pause Papa: It's a surprise! To be cont..

Local agricultural show today, open garden tomorrow. Games gang round on Saturday, plant sale Sunday. Sewing bee, week after. Murder mystery treasure hunt next day. WI the following week, jam jam soon after. Nothing ever happens in the countryside. Even the swallows are leaving.

Veddw garden. Lovely from every angle.. interesting in multiple ways.