Pesky blardy bitey things!

 I am covered in bites - after a visit from a hungry horse fly on Monday, yesterday I paid the price of going through the undergrowth to give my Cardinal Richeleau rose a good drink (I planted it over the graves of Ghengis and Theo).  For some reason the blardy bitey things - the one on my front was definitely a horse fly by the feel of it - go at the edge of clothing and so said clothing is inclined to rub the bite.  I had to go to Llandod for After Bite yesterday as mine had run out and stocked up on yet MORE cat food as the boys have decided they will only eat the expensive cat biscuits (now on special offer, fortunately), and the most expensive cat sachets.  I was glad to have £6 off in Tesco vouchers . . .

With the temperatures so high yesterday - and it so muggy and airless - I stayed indoors and did Horrible Housework, including giving the fridge a good scrub out.  I was having a "down" day, really low in spirits, and couldn't see any point in anything, and worrying about money going out* as I had just had to pay for the Fair next month (very nearly £200 now) and of course the ongoing costs of decorating although my friend is doing a good deal on the price.  We've needed extra paint though as the 2 1/2 L won't be enough. The additional one litre tin of paint to finish off outside was £31 last week.  *I know, I've just had a big chunk in, but you can only spend it ONCE . . . and I don't like having to use savings.

However, I did manage to save a BIG chunk on my breakdown assistance, having had to leave Green Flag (which was £161) and going with the one Tam recommended which she had been with successfully for about 7 years now.  That was only £48.  I can, however, recommend Green Flag as they have always been very prompt and reliable - NEVER never bother with AA or RAC. We were with the latter and broke down on a hot day on the A40 just outside Whitland, and despite many phone calls, and age and medical issues (my twice daily inhalers were at home) they told us we would have to stay in the car overnight!!!

My other almost-free Audible choice was C J Parris' Execution, about the Babbington Plot.  Perhaps a bit heavy to read, but when you are driving long distance, it's great listening and I recommend it.  I first heard of it when I was reading a children's novel by Alison Uttley, A Traveller in Time (I have a collection of her wonderful books).  In A Traveller in Time, the main character, Penelope, is staying at her aunt's house in Derbyshire, and opens a door on the past - into 1580 and the Babington plot to put Mary on the throne . . .  You can enjoy this book as an adult, it is so beautifully written and the time-slip notion is one I have enjoyed in many other novels, especially those by Barbara Erskine.  I can recommend the podcast my painter neighbour has been listening to (and me too, by default) Historian Tom Holland's "The Rest is History" which was, snap, also about Mary Queen of Scots!  I really enjoyed it, but missed the last podcast as I had to go out, so will listen to it all again.

Anyway, I decided I would cheer myself up and watch the new Outlander series Blood of my Blood, and have signed up to MGM - just 99p for the first 2 (or 3?) months, then £5.99 a month after that. I will end my subscription when they have (eventually) shown the last episode.  So I sat down with my Baltimore quilt and started neatly resewing the joins on the back, pins everywhere pricking me.  Warning - it starts with a death, which gave me a real lurch of emotion.  I have to say though, Jamie Roy as Brian Fraser is VERY easy on the eye.  Cor!!  An old saying has just sprung into my mind - he could put his boots under my bed any day!!! 

It did cheer me up, although there are just two episodes to watch as yet.  I watched the second last night, swathed in quilt again and with Pippi in the middle of it, away from the pins, which made sewing rather difficult.  

I may go out for an early walk whilst it is still nice and cool.  I will check on humidity as that does affect my asthma.