Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Watching the rain, poached and six month parcel.

Here is Alec yesterday at six months old -- my brave boy is trying some bread and cheese for the first time.

1. We are watching the rain from just inside the back door. I'm on a chair and Alec is sitting between my feet. He starts to declaim to the hissing air, waving his arms to underline his points. A draggled pigeon listens as if it understands, but the sky goes on pouring out water.

2. I love to cold poach thin salmon steaks with lemon and herbs by pouring boiling water over it and leaving it for 20 minutes. It makes the tenderest, juiciest coral pink fish. Alec mouths a few fragments, hesitates and then swallows.

3. Nick brings home a six month parcel from Godmother Charlie. It contains a book and some much-needed clothes (his legs will keep getting longer, and the poppers on his old vests strain so).

Morning, errands and entertainment.

1. I murmur an acknowledging greeting to a passing bin man. He is a well brought-up African and replies with eye contact and a warm 'Goo...