A Dirty Trick

Another scorcher, and too hot to do much. We met Sammy and dog for a walk on the beach, and it felt like being on holiday, the sun beating down but a stiffish breeze coming off the sea and causing small rollers to lap the shore. Really a perfect day. We did our usual walk - half an hour to the concrete slabs, sit down for half an hour and gaze at the sea, then back, and we had lunch at the little beach cafe. The sun had got to me by then though, hatless as I had been all day, and by the time we got home via the council tip and Waitrose I was feeling a bit strange. I decided a snooze was the answer, but when I opened the summerhouse doors a blast of boiling air hit me. I had to open all the windows before I could settle down on the sofa, lengthwise, and though it remained very warm we both slept. Later, an embarrassingly long time later, I woke and decided to clear the nettles in the field which slightly block my view of the barley. I stomped down the track outside my garden to the place, and spent the next half hour happily raking, hauling out nettles and battering down anything that would be battered. I was enjoying myself hugely until disaster struck: I made a particularly hearty yank with the rake, not realising that my little finger was caught in the wire fence. Hand went one way, with great force, and litle finger stayed behind. The pain was awful, and I knew I had to get back indoors before I fainted. I didn't pass out, but I was sick, and then I gathered myself and held an ice pack to the poor hand while I lay on the cool floor moaning. Hugo helpfully came and lay beside me, which was comforting. I think the ice helped though it hurt cruelly, and then I applied Voltarol. The hand is swollen and stiff but doesn't hurt at the moment. I also took some Ibu, and had a medicinal glass of wine, or shum more'n that, dunno. I am furious with myself. I must have two working hands! Did Vita Sackville-West have a dicky paw? Does Monty Don? No! I think it will be sore for a while but I hope it won't be completely out of action. I have a plan (I was going to say action plan but you can't use the same word twice, especially so close together) and I cannot be thwarted. The show must go on!

This appeared in the sky before my accident