Thursday, May 5

Today is a public holiday: the one known to Christians as Ascension Day. The shops are no longer closed but they have slightly shorter opening hours.

The weather is now officially summery, and strikingly hot. We are in the garden, having had breakfast in the garden for the first time this year. I am looking at the flowers which have all suddenly sprung into action. I have got Naa’s bike out and I am testing the tyres on every bike I can see.

Later we will sit in the garden with the sun pouring down on us and have a summer cider: the first of the year.