A busy morning! I’ve vacuumed throughout the house, watered key plants and the pond, fed the fish, got 5 pillows (each in a cleaned bag) and the Philips TV box up into the loft, cleaned the Aarke water filter jug and replaced the filter granules, had a shower, read my blood pressure – and so on. I am quite pleased with myself and, for now at least, my back pain has eased. Perhaps day 6 will be the final day of pain?

The temperature outside in the shade is rising rapidly and is now 27 degrees celsius; it is due to rise to 31 degrees by lunchtime. I have a grocery delivery soon and it will include fresh organic eggs and a new granary loaf, so breakfast is sorted! I just need to remember to take the butter out of the fridge…

Since it is so hot today I have not only taken all the usual precautions but also got all the housework out of the way by 11 o’clock; I should be able to relax as best I can in the afternoon and evening heat. Provided my back does not make it unbearable I should be able to get on with some reading. I never mastered the art of reading standing up, which sounds pretty awful even if it is a thing; I am one of those old-fashioned types that must read sitting down, but for some days now I sit down at my peril, knowing that any attempt to stand will likely be met with pain serious enough to bring tears to the eyes, followed by awkward movements and attempted walking that must be hilarious to watch and more appropriate for an elderly gentleman, and I am not an elderly gentleman. Well, not elderly anyway. The problem with living on your own is that you must do all the housework yourself, but the upside of living on your own is that there is no-one to witness those awkward moments of pain and to offer kind but pointless assistance.

My cappuccino is finished, and boy did I enjoy it. I am now required to make my egress from the armchair and hope that I do not weep with pain as I do so. I’m sure everything will be okay and I will enjoy the day ahead.