It's wonderful what you can see for free - sort of supermodel and ballerina in one gorgeously winged form.

While my previous Alfred Brendel quote had 183 likes, yesterday's got 1. Oh well, since it was from a distinguished musician I shall not be deterred!

Wonder from my window - a bee helping me make a blackberry and apple crumble due to be ready in about two months' time.

Liszt sight-reading (!) Grieg's piano concerto, described here by the composer. "Keep going... and don't let them frighten you," is essential advice for any talented young artist.

Overheard chat can be fun. My favourite was two smart ladies on my country bus: "Has Joan's daughter just moved to the village?" "Yes, she has." "I thought so, because the other day I saw a young woman and I thought good heavens! She looks almost as unpleasant as Joan."

Shady spot in the garden.

Wagner fans claim he achieved "endless melody". It goes on a bit for some of us, but the skylarks above my garden today have perfected that trick. 😍🐦

I know it's got hotter since I was young, but in those days we just said "It's very hot" and acted accordingly. Today we're supposed to say "Oh no it's a Red Warning Extreme Weather Event I must watch the news every ten minutes for updates!" Result: we get hotter still. 🤨🌞

Lots of Meadow Salsify is providing a splash of colour on my parched lawn, though strangely even on the brightest day the flowers go to bed at lunchtime. I am not sure whether to be irritated or admire their attitude. 🤔🌞

Just wandering along, I see something no Bond Street jeweller could do better.

I don't like the phrase 'bring it on' but that'll do. 🥵

It must be really boring thinking everything your party does is great and everything the other lot do is beastly. Saves thinking, though. 😉

I wonder if there was ever a time when writers were expected to just write and publishers to publish. Today it often seems publishers want to write the book, and writers have to be glamorous publicity staff flogging the thing. 🙄📚

In the garden, raindrops on midsummer apple. A wonderful sight for a number of reasons.

Elgar's unusual, not to say inept, approach to billiards, described by his friend William Reed.

Getting stuck in in the garden. Looks delicious!

Sometimes the best thing to do with a computer is turn it off. 👋

Great to see David Hockney eschewing the i-Pad and back painting in acrylic again. His dog seems to have spotted a worthwhile subject too. 🐰

From my window, various kinds of beauty.

It was inspiring to read that the one essential book Edvard Grieg kept in his composing hut was the Beethoven piano sonatas, but it was a bit of a blow to then find he used to sit on it to reach the piano. Still, he was a great admirer of Beethoven, so that's, er, all right.🤔🎹