Let me say first of all that I’m getting on a bit. And one of the reasons for this longevity is that I make a point of exerting myself occasionally to extremes - and then resting quietly for some time afterwards to get my breath back and return to normal.
These exertions frighten Margreet but to me they are, conducted every so often to keep my faculties in working order.
I write this in mid-summer, during one of the heatwaves of 2026, and I have been thinking about, and dreaming of, mending cracks in our front door (now filled) and painting the fillings that appeared in this extremely hot weather.
There has also been a need to repair and waterproof the roofs of my various bird boxes before the winter arrives.
This whole operation had been discussed and passed by Margreet who wants me to live
for a lot longer into this my second century.
Nowadays I buy cheap brushes and throw them away after use. But in this case I can use the same brush twice - once with blue paint for the front door and then with black roofing mastic paint - if, that is, blue paint and the roofing paint mix. (which they did).
Margreet had embarked on one of those long Dutch conversations with her best friend in Belgium and I obtained her permission to go ahead with painting.
One window in Margreet’s den can be opened enough so that I can lean out rather precariously to reach two bird boxes that are secured to the house wall and painted to match the brickwork. But the roofs of these and three others have cracked and deteriorated in the 37 years since I made them.
(Later) Margreet ’s conversation went on for long enough for me to paint blue over the filled cracks in the front door and then, with the same brush, give all bird box roofs a good coating of the black mastic paint that will waterproof my homes for birds.
And all this painting and repair work was done while Margreet conversed with her Dutch friend in Belgium when she was more or less unaware of me climbing up and down ladders, leaning out of windows and handling pots of paint and mastic.
Her conversation over - a domestic hour or so gone - painting and repair work finished - paint-covered surgical gloves disposed of - paint tins sealed for future use - paint brush in the waste bin - butcher’s bib hung up. Time for that rest and drinks - everyone happy.
