Our near neighbours in the maisonette just across the shared balcony from us are back. We call them ‘The Americans’. Apparently they live somewhere on the West Coast. They are a gentle couple, white-haired, softly spoken, diminutive and round of body. I like them, though we have rarely engaged in conversation. We have been filling their bird feeders while they were away (something to do with visas expiring). We met her in the hallway over the weekend and welcomed her back. She informed us that they have returned on a tourist visa and are able to stay for 6 months. She’s studying for a PhD in Celtic Studies but her student visa ran out. It is so complicated. Obviously there have to be some kind of controls but can’t this border thing be a little more fluid? They are good people who love being here. I haven’t seen him yet and the bird feeders are yet to be re-filled (we, no I should say he, bought lots of fat balls that will no longer be necessary) perhaps he is recovering from the jet lag. Perhaps dormouse like he is still in semi-hibernation (he has a look of one certainly, and is rather somnolent in appearance, and dishevelled as if he has just left his bed). He is the one I have seen pottering amongst the array of pots they have on their balcony. I hope he comes out soon.
The carpet and the phone call are today.
I walked my usual walk yesterday and it took 10 minutes longer than usual. My hips feel like rusted metal.
