It could be the day

1 It just could be the day when I throw some books into the re-cycling bin, books (including a three-volume biography of Gladstone by John Morley) which have been on the shelves not just for years but for years beyond years. Time to take some, at least, of those books and just put them into the re-cycling bin. In fact, I'll throw some now and return to this post.

1.1 I have put four economics textbooks, including a hardback, into the re-cycling bin. Where those four books lead others will follow. I will mark the day.

2 What brought about this adventure, you ask. Before nine o'clock the carpet-cleaning man arrived; he left an hour-and-a-half later. During the time, the furniture and impedimenta in the front room, the dining-room (aka the study), and the saloon were moved. The repositories remain siberia, the garage, the kitchen, and the conservatory. As I set about ordering the contents of the study, I thought about those books, the ones which have not been earning their keep, the ones which Ashley will put into a skip without a thought. It's time, it's time.

3 It's my good fortune that the sun shines and is likely to continue to do so. I can keep the doors open. I can also look forward to a bike-ride to Tinsley House. I wonder if you recall that Hasmatulloh, the Afghan who has served a prison sentence, and I agreed that he would call me if he wanted a visit. He called. I undertook to visit this afternoon.

4 The FRBC AGM will be held this evening. I will attend, and David may attend too. (I will take my giro there, as it could do with a bit of attention, just a bit, from someone who knows what to do. Once released from the grip of the back brake, the young bike will be rideable again.) The agenda will be the familiar one. We'll set the subscription, and we'll talk about the annual tour. (Now that £1 is just about equal to E1 - I don't have the symbol for the euro; at least, I haven't been able to find it - I wonder if there will be any inclination towards a tour in England. Probably not.)

5 Meanwhile, there ar jobs to tackle in the garden. There are always jobs to tackle in the garden. I reckon that I'll clear the chalet and take the contents, excluding the loungers, to the tip.

6 Liam and I played bridge at Forest Row yesterday evening. The exercise was a reminder, a strong reminder for Liam (I sense), of the difference between playing at FR and at the Maypole. (Playing at the latter just gets into the way of one's bridge.) There were five tables and we played 25 boards in under three hours. Liam felt 'out-classed' as we made our way to the car. On the way back to the Hall we had yet another conversation about leads; no headway. Still, he telephoned me this morning and he sounded in good form. As it happened we came joint third out of the five couples. Ken Oliver and David Burman topped the list of five, and there was a considerable gap between their score and the scores for third, fourth, and fifth. Still we were there. And we'll be there again; Monday afternoon is also an option, remember. (All such observations are subject to the fortunes which rule all our lives.)

6.1 Look on the FR website and make a note of the AGM.

7 I also mentioned a Sunday lunch in the Club. Subject to the fortunes, be prepared to give me some dates. I reckon that I have at least two lunches to complete, preferably in October..

8 Tomorrow. telephone me as soon as you land. I'll be waiting for the call. I have been reminded that I undertook to collect for the RAFA at Sainsbury's at 1200. I've told Graeme Stagg that I will be collecting you.

Think of England.

Looking forward to you. Come back to the ....... .

Stayathome.