The signs are unmistakeable

1 Yes, they are. And one seems to follow another. Though I was described in the Courier report as 'Local legend and regular competitor ...', and though I think that perhaps there is one more triathlon in me, it is time for me to regard triathlons as a sport for other people. I may have mentioned that a middle-aged man stood up and offered me his seat on the train. As I moved towards the seat, I noticed an early-middle-aged woman who was standing; with a hand-gesture I offered her the seat; with a hand-gesture, she politely refused. Then today, as David and I cycled out for a few hours, he was to me as I am to you: the person in front, who adjusts the pace to the one behind. Ah well.

2 Yes the patio gathering was its usual comfortable and easy self. Luke, Lauren, and Annabel were the three young people, and they just got on with their playing. How good it was to see them. Otherwise, the eight adults - four pairs - talked to each other, whilst their host filled their glasses, attended to the young people, and helped young Luke to cut the long loaf and the cheese and to take bread and cheese in the basket to the table. We assembled from 1900, and we closed sometime after 2100. A sufficiently warm evening, the closing of the day - the living and the talking were easy. Terry and Carol lingered and the three of us continued to chat until 2200. As ever, it's the company which counts.

3 The cycling today was satisfying. I hadn't been out on a bike for a week; I hadn't been out on the Audax since we returned from the Somme. I put a pannier on it, and I could sense the difference. Including the rides to and from Three Bridges, I cycled about 50 miles. I was pleased to have done so, even though my knee is (level 3.5) painful as I key. I'll ask your physio to attend to the knee when you return.

4 Mr Scott and I are looking forward to your company, here in East Grinstead. Guess what: we're thinking of a bike-ride. David will be on leave next week, so we have it in mind that he will come to EG for a sleepover, so that he can attend to biking and to his role as my adviser on the purchase of a new laptop.

4.1 There is a screening of the NT production of The Cherry Orchard on Thursday 7 July, afternoon and evening.

4.2 I'm still thinking about the lunch in the RAF Club on 19 June.

4.3 I am thinking of a return to the New Forest for a bike-ride. Our Grapple organiser lives in the New Forest, and he wants me to visit. He and his wife would welcome passing cyclists, especially if one of them was wearing a Grapple tie. Tea and rich fruit cake - that sort of thing.

5 Meanwhile, the Grapple reunion was a successful one. About 30 of us, including guests, sat to table. There were fewer of us than last year, but no-one seemed to mind. Thirty of so may be the number that we can expect. So be it. The reunion worked. Those who attended had made the effort to do so. It was evident that the reunion was an annual event. I sat next to a chum, by the way, who was the last Serviceperson to leave the Island, his departure being in 1964. (Long after the rest of us.)

5.1 Our secretary, the one who lives in the New Forest, (see previous paragraph), introduced the possibility of a move from the RAF Club to somewhere else (where there are three Vulcans); there was some support for the idea, so I'll have to work on the lad and the rest of the committee to ensure that, for one reason or other, we remain where we are. We're familiar with the Club, the facilities are all available, the Club is in London. (And the chum, in his enthusiasm to maintain the freshness of the event, wants to take us to the north of Birmingham.)

6 Meanwhile, seek opportunities to meet some Norwegians. Go to the shops again and buy some chocolate. Or some postcards. Then walk home.

7 You're about to begin the run. Stick to it. Walk-and-run. Walk-and-walk. You'll complete. And then you will be back in EG.

8 I registered that you wrote about Matthew. I'll wait for further news.

9 A radio programme today about a group of soldiers, including wounded ex-soldiers, who had made a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Waiting for you.

Stayathome.