keep wondering where people think the dumped sofa goes after they leave it beside the burn. they must know it doesn't vanish, they've carried the bloody thing there. somebody suggested a bigger sign but there's already one facing the exact spot. i can remember every bag we pulled out last time and can't remember a single person who saw the mess and thought it was theirs to shift. that's not quite right, the volunteers did. still, i'd like ten minutes with whoever owns the matching armchair. no speech prepared. just let them hold the sodden end while we get it back up the bank, see how light it feels then.

cycled home into rain that found the bit between my glove and sleeve. rest of me dry enough but that wee strip of wrist was freezing by the bridge. the old break was a bit stiff when i got the key out. hot shower helped and then i sat on the kitchen floor to pull the wet stuff apart. legs felt good, proper used, not the fidgety feeling after laptop day. partner asked why i was sitting there when we own chairs. easier to reach the boots from here. stayed down longer than necessary though. warm feet in dry socks and nothing needing lifted for the next hour. grand.

saw a heron by the repaired bit of path and stopped the whole volunteer group to point it out. they were keen except one wee boy who said we'd seen that bird already. fair enough, he wanted the saw. i was still chuffed. last winter you couldn't get through there without sinking to your ankles and now folk can stand and watch for a minute. partner asked what made today good so i told them about the bird and the path. apparently that was an answer this time. wasn't aware i'd been getting it wrong before. showed them the photo as well. heron a grey dot but you can see the new edging fine.