1. We sit on the further bench: the view of the town is obscured by some trees but the layers upon layers of hills are enough. We notice how the field shapes and sizes will have changed and enjoy thinking about how the land was developed over the last hundred years. The air is disturbingly still.

1b. The path has practically washed away – the plastic drainage pipes are exposed and split, visibly filled with sand and gravel so the water has no choice but to pour down the surface, carving a foot deep valley. I remark how it’s exactly what happened to the landscape we were just admiring – just on a smaller, shorter scale.

2. Lily’s tail bangs against the floor when her granny comes home and pays her some attention (and gives her some treats).

3. The marinade (on the fish) contains peppercorns which are fruity and intense, as well as straight up peppery.

1. (After John got me the DVDs for my birthday in July) we’ve been rewatching Parks and Recreation with the commentaries etc. Like it did when we first watched the series, my eye catches on the blanket on Ann Perkin’s sofa every time it’s on screen – back then, it inspired me to make my own copy; now, a “oh, that looks like our blanket” flashes across my brain.

2. I finally – after twenty years of eating them – realise why the colours of Angel Cakes sometimes switch around.

3. I trim Lily’s fur. She is less cooperative than normal but it goes surprisingly well anyway: her ears and tail are trimmed into perfect shape with little effort. Afterwards, she looks younger and runs around like a happy little puppy. When she’s tuckered out, we hug her, cooing over her silky smooth fur.

1. Listening to bombastic hold music, I watch the clouds. A heavier lower layer moves much faster than the higher wispier ones – it looks like a special effect, almost menacing.

1b. I’m sat somewhere slightly unusual: the cats double-take when they see me, then come over for strokes.

2. A red lavatera (or some sort of malva at least) at the back of the restaurant catches my eye, and makes me pay closer attention to the other pots and hanging baskets dotted all around.

3. We have to take Kaufman to the vets – just for a check up, his first in over a year. He makes it clear from the outset that he doesn’t want to go in the car then when we set off, he makes the strangest noises. They’re vaguely reminiscent of a turkey, or someone talking in a peculiar language: we can’t help laughing. When we get back, he sits on the balcony and I feed him bits of fish by way of an apology.

4. The smokiness of the first cheese, the dry tartness of the next.

1. The cats – our three and next door’s two – all come to see me while I’m working in the garden.

1b. I spend a couple of hours wrestling the tomato plants in the green house. They leave their mark on my skin (and in my hair). The water in the shower turns a curious lime green as I wash away the dust.

2. I crochet on the balcony – as I say on twitter, making the most of a lovely summer evening to prepare for winter.

3. Tilda goes through phases of sitting with us on the sofa (usually until her pattern is disrupted by INTERLOPERS [ie our friends visiting]). I enjoy them while they last.

1. An extending cherry picker arm suddenly appears overhead. It stretches higher and higher, then retracts, turns and stretches out again.

2. The heft of a dense book.

3. Kaufman has been around all evening – asleep in his usual spot on top of the cat tree – but at bedtime, he suddenly wants some attention. He stomps all over me and the sleeping bump under the duvet.

1. Lily has been antsy all morning – one of her pack is missing (John is at the office) and she has to protect the household – but as soon as I pick her up and place her beside me on the sofa, she calms down and goes to sleep, happy to relinquish being in charge.

2. We meet the tiniest little dog on the way back home – a 16 week old chihuahua. Her owners laugh over my giddiness.

3. Dinner at Salvo’s in Leeds. Good old Salvo’s. We both moan with delight over our main meals: John’s lamb is perfectly cooked and I’m dazzled by the super smooth potato and the rich gravy on top. We can’t quite put our finger on what they’ve done to make it so good.

3b. The couple beside us are clearly on a first date. The man is loud and hogs the conversation so I have no choice but to overhear what he’s saying. I’m reminded, once again, how glad I am not to be on the dating scene.