20th April - decorating done!

Up and at it early. I finish off the undercoating on the bits that need doing and then get started on the gloss paintwork.

Marian goes out for a walk with Blake and her friend Jill and Jill's dog - their regular Friday get together. Jill comes in and admires the handiwork. On their return it transpires that there are three dogs! I'm visited, independently and together by all three of them whilt Maria and Jill have their coffee and cake post-walk! Blake leaves a nice parting gift as he gets caught between the wet paint on the door and the wet paint on the doo jamb! Lovely black hairy streak on each side. I toy with the idea of leaving it but in the end decide that I'll wipe it off and re-paint.

Marian pitches in after lunch and we finish it by mid-afternoon but I've still got the back wall of the alcoves to do. Not hard just awkward to get to as they go right up to the ceiling and need to be done all the way. I get it all done in good time and have a couple of beers while I admire the work. It looks really good and I'm very pleased with it. Done within the week as well although I'd been optimistic and had been secretly hoping to finish it the day before.

To celebrate we've book a table in a nice local gastropub. I've also organised a taxi so we can both have a drink without worrying about the driving afterwards.

The meal is good - we have the works including dessert. Marian has a Bresola which, it transpires, was made on the premises. She sings its praises saying that it is as good as any she had in Italy last year.

Its the first time in a while that we've been out for a 'proper' meal on our own. Good fun and we really enjoy the occasion.