1. The eggy bread is just what I want for breakfast.

1b. I’d been indecisive the previous evening about what prints to buy but in the shop, there is a different selection and the owl leaps out at me: I’ll take him home.

2. A handful of holes in the cloud let us see glimpses of the city below. Later, there is a flat, almost 2D, wisp of cloud over the sea and later still, a heavy blanket, that looks substantial yet soft.

2b. We fly along the North Wales coast – cloud stops us seeing too far inland but I enjoy seeing the shape of Anglesey (I love it seeing islands as they appear in maps) and then we spot the pier and pleasure boats at Llandudno, and a wind farm off the coast: white lines in blue.

2c. It’s disconcerting how quickly we disembark: even though we have to pick up a gate-checked bag, we go from plane to pavement in about five minutes.

2d. The seats are officially reserved so I wait to be moved on for the whole of my journey – but no one claims them.

3. I didn’t think I’d have the energy to go for a dog walk but I do, and it’s lovely.

3b. The tinkle and fizz of a drink being poured into a glass.

1. The cafe around the corner has a vaguely Parisian vibe but the giant breakfasts we have there do not. The sausages are pleasantly peppery, the relish vinegary, and the pancakes fluffy and sweet.

2. We walk around all day. (Later, when I’m at home, I’ll measure it as more than 7miles.) We walk on cobbles and on grass; we see ancient cathedrals, a patchwork castle and a classic college; and, we visit expensive boutiques, mainstream shops and alternative market stalls. We also take a well earned rest on the boardwalk beside the river: the sun shines the strongest it has all day and we watch the passage of the city.

2b. At the museum, there is, amongst other things, a collection of old, ornate books showing the different binding techniques from around the world & through the ages. I also enjoy the tiny fragments of papyrus from 1800 years ago: I’m more interested in the construction of the material than the scripture written on it.

3. A dog stands in the fountain giving its owner a clear “what?” expression.

3b. We get into the restaurant before it gets busy (there is a long queue as we’re leaving). The stew tastes exactly, disconcertingly exactly, like mine.

3c. Market stalls of independent artists’ work. I buy some prints – my type of souvenirs.

3d. Chatting to John on IM as I start to fall asleep.

1. All my journey segments go smoothly. We meet up as planned. There are no delays, no problems, everything goes perfectly.

1b. A symphony of swear words makes me smile then a few more silly swear words make me giggle out loud.

1c. I overhear a mother and her young daughter speaking French in the toilets. I’ve been working on my reading/writing rather than speaking/listening so it takes me a while to process the words: I repeat them to myself and in doing so, realise what they’re saying. It’s simple stuff but it makes me feel like my recent learning is more than just an academic exercise.

2. It takes me a minute but I get my bearings and once I do, I feel safe in navigating us around the city.

2b. I see a “Lagunitas” bar – the first real life reference I’ve ever seen to them – and inwardly exclaim: “they’re keeping pub in public radio!”. This American Life has clearly got to me.

3. I wish Leeds and Bradford had parks in the centre like Stephen’s Green: it’s lovely to see so many people relaxing and enjoying the early evening sun.

3b. The round hit of complex flavour in the middle of the chicken breast.

3c. More so than the expected Brits or Americans, the city seems filled with Spanish tourists. Between their voices, the low golden sun, the wide boulevards (like in Madrid) and us having tapas for dinner, my brain keeps getting confused about where I am.

3d. The shapes hidden in the glass at the monument.

3e. Another little garden, this time at the back of the castle. My mum takes some lavender seeds from a plant for my dad. The smell from them scents the hotel room.

3f. A free shot of peppermint livens up my hot chocolate.

1. I meet a very fluffy cat on the way back from the supermarket. It tries to climb into my shopping bag and steal our lunch. Later, over the road, I meet the cat whose back half looks like Strange but she is only chatty, not cuddly.

1b. I have to catch and release both a butterfly and a bird from the house. Windows are confusing, aren’t they?

2. I stop by with some vegetables from the plot for R. He tells me he’s not growing much this year then shows me his super fruiting aubergines, his pumpkin (which I’d given him, mistakenly telling him it was a courgette) and his prolific runner beans, amongst other things. For someone who isn’t growing much, he’s got a heck of a lot of produce on the go.

3. I make John howl with laughter – or rather he says something wrong by mistake, and when I point it out to him, he lets out a bellow.

1. As I’m waking up and wondering what the day will bring, John says “pyjama day?”. Indeed.

2. I’ve been on a quest to find a pair of jeans that fits just how I want and after many returns to many shops, today, I find some good ones. I order two more pairs.

3. Both lunch and dinner are padded out using homegrown items: it’s nice that they’re there to be used.

1. Each time I go into the bedroom, I find another cat in there.

2. Flat cherry coke.

2b. A cafe/sandwich place that isn’t afraid of spice. My tuna melt is tangy with jalapenos and the samosas we have as a side have a deep, round curry flavour.

2c. Wilkinsons are having a seed clearance sale – just 5p a pack! I wish we’d popped in earlier as I suspect the takings would have been richer, but I still pick up 12 packs of vegetable seeds (mostly runner beans and broad beans, but also some fancy courgettes and aubergines), and an assortment of wild flower and perennials. Full price, the vegetables seeds would have cost £23.67 – I paid just 60p – bargain!

2d. Lily has been collecting tennis balls for her granny. She apparently kept finding and bringing her different ones, to see which one she liked best.

3. A curry with flavours that take us back to our curries of yore: when we’d just taken our Indian Cookery class and were following their recipes more closely.