A mate asked about the wedding and I gave her the weather-and-parking answer, as usual. Then she said she was really looking forward to seeing us get married. Caught me a bit off guard. I've spent so much time explaining that we want a small one, no big production, that I forgot people might simply be happy for us. Got home and found him sharpening something in the shed, exactly where expected, and wanted to tell him but couldn't find a way that didn't sound like I was delivering a speech. Said my mate was coming. He said good. We stood there smiling like a pair of idiots for no stated reason.

Took the kayak out with no destination more ambitious than the next little beach. Much nicer having my legs sitting still for once and letting my arms do something without gloves on. There was a bit of breeze coming back, enough that I had to stop admiring things and paddle properly. Warm across the shoulders, cool water flicking off the blade onto my hands. By home I was ready for toast and the woodheater, in that order. My partner asked how far I'd gone. Hadn't measured it. Felt slightly smug about that until I realised I'd been counting strokes through the windy bit. Apparently even a lazy paddle needs a system.

Trying to work out whether the possum is getting into the vegetable patch from the fence or dropping down from the tree. My partner reckons it doesn't matter, we've built it a buffet and it has options. Put a different cover over one corner and spent part of the evening checking through the kitchen window, which is not how I pictured spending my day off. At work I can usually trace a problem back to something measurable. Here the evidence is two missing leaves and a creature that waits till I'm asleep. Might plant extra. Annoying to call that a solution when the bastard still gets its dinner.