So here I am, nearly two weeks back from the wonderful Canada trip, and still not a word uttered here.

I like the process of going away - especially on holiday.
The date and time of departure, particularly when it involves an airline flight, is, like Christmas, a moment so finite that it cannot be missed without catastrophic consequences. - The ducks have all to be put in their row as, if they are not, the enjoyments of 'being away' will be compromised by anxieties.

But returning is the obverse.
The holiday is over and the future apparently stretches endlessly ahead: the ducks that were lined-up in such order now present as options that have to be re-assessed and re-prioritised and a consequence of 'having been away', for me at least, is that priorities and attitudes may have shifted somewhat!

Anyway, my post-holiday period of reflection (indecision?) is now over and I promise that from here-on-in normal services will resume: the unpacking and washing are done; the garden is somewhat reclaimed; the customers have been contacted and the cat has forgiven us for our disloyalty.

But on this occasion, two further matters presented to postpone further my return to routine.

A day or two after I got back two gentlemen arrived at the door to tell me that they were painters (as in artists, not house painters) and to ask if they could have a look round. I saw no objection, left them to their devices and on leaving they asked if they could return to paint. Again, I could see no objection and told them that they could.

After they left I thought I had been something less than as friendly as I should have been and blamed my behaviour, not on a flaw in my character, but on jet-leg (in which, normally, I am disinclined to believe) but on this occasion it seemed like a handy excuse to absolve me of blame!

And, lo and behold, the day before yesterday they returned to paint.

Mindful of my previous demeanour, I was considerably more welcoming and provided coffee to start proceedings off.
And while Jack, Danny (the two painters) my colleague Martin and I chatted over the coffee a third member of their party, Jackie, arrived. They told us that they regularly travelled around together looking for scenes to paint and that, as often as not, they are refused permission and frequently encounter hostility! - They had, in fact, regarded what I had thought to be my frosty welcome on their first visit, to be unusually accommodating!
I was, and remain, astonished that three gentlemen - one of whom is just ten years short of a century - would be anything other than welcomed: indeed, I was flattered that they should regard our home and surroundings as a scene that they would select to portray!

They stayed the day making watercolour paintings of the mill, the cottages and the garden from various angles and vantage points and they, themselves, made a wonderful spectacle...........

Jack and Jackie paint the cottage

.....now joined by Danny.

Jack views Jackie at work

The three artists at the end of the day.

It was a delightful day and I ended-up with a gift of two charming paintings which I will frame next week and cherish thereafter.

I will tell you of the other matter, that intervened to impede the restoration of routine, later in the day.