From the sublime…….

We scuttled off to Corfu at the end of September in hope of sun. It was a different side of the island this time, just across from Albania, and we arrived to blue cloudless skies and a dazzling display of bougainvillea in the hotel gardens. I had no idea there were so many colour options and was extremely taken by a pale pink effort just outside our door. The hotel gardens were fantastic and I spent a lot of time speculating about what, if anything, might survive in the frozen north. They made excellent use of trailing rosemary, which we had in London until the advent of the rosemary beetles, and I spent many a happy hour on the balcony wondering where I might stick some. I have a couple of ideas for next spring…I had sadly rejected the prospect of the bougainvillea out of hand but Barry the Decorator, who is staying with us whilst Mum’s house is decorated, has just told me he has an outside one going in GATESHEAD. Well the game’s afoot. I shall, however, await news of its survival into spring before any rash purchases. Hibiscus may be a possibility though. I seem to remember Keith’s mum had a blue one in Kent. Further research required….

In the usual way of these things I had my first holiday book 90% finished on the way over. The examiner was a decent romp, but some of the characters were on the thin side. My next effort, Septology, a Norwegian Nobel prize winner comprised of seven novellas and no full stops (at all) was quite the contrast. It was, surprisingly, strangely compelling though I could have stood a little more backstory. Caledonian Road was a complete contrast, and highly enjoyable in a very London life way. However the stand out was La Carte Postale which was fantastic (an exploration of a French family’s history across wartime Europe (don’t want to add any spoilers)). I read it in French, as a once or twice a year effort keeps my hand in and on holidays slows me down sufficiently that I don’t have to read Keith’s books too (which was a good thing as he was stuck into the Life of Stalin all holiday). However I’m sure it is available in translation and I really would recommend it.

When not baking with a nose in a book, we swum the odd lap and, of an evening, worked our way through the hotel cocktail menu before stuffing ourselves with seafood. There are worse ways to spend a holiday! We did get some rain – always an end of season risk – but kept ourselves amused at a wine tasting and, in Keith’s case, broiling away in the jacussi in the rain (I did my pilates exercises then rewarded myself with chocolate and minibar snacks…)

Anyway, we flew back on the fourth to a fairly gloomy Newcastle. Keith had noticed a compost sale at a garden centre near the airport so we diverted there on the way home (aren’t we glam) and on nipping in to pay we were confronted by a vast display of illuminated Christmas trees. This may have tipped me over the edge. Over the net few days I went from a bit off colour to downright awful, exploding sinuses, shivery with matching rash. Delightful. It is especially frustrating as the rest of the bulbs have arrived and the last few days have been absolutely glorious. However, I can barely lift a spade and the two days I did spend weeding and popping in a few here and there nearly finished me off…. grr. Poor Lyra has been limited to the shorter walks (though she doesn’t seem overly distraught and some kindly pheasants have added to her joy by allowing themselves to be thoroughly chased.) Anyway – I am going to hit it with Crabbies Green Ginger tonight. Something has to give!