I thought about going out today - Benningborough maybe, or Castle Howard - but I decided to have a fun day and clean the fridge instead.

Well, not just the fridge although the funny smell made this an imperative - a piece of blue cheese stuck behind the salad drawer! How on earth did it get there, and how long has it been lurking? Personally I blame those left in charge while I was staying with Liz and Ed in Surrey.

So I set an unwilling Joe to clear up all the things he has left lying around here and maybe even pack them up to take home. This task is still not complete, but he is now blissfully happy polishing all the brass in the sitting room and (contrary to instructions) dusting the inside of the piano! I think what I said was tidy up the photo albums and shampoo the carpet, but I suppose getting any cleaning out of a young man of twenty is a bonus. With any luck a change of dusters and polish will get the outside of the piano and the china cabinet clean too.

Meanwhile I sorted the washing (Why is there so much of Joe's in my basket? He has a mother with the washing machine on daily and is staying with his grandma while his room at home is being sorted, even if he does seem to prefer my cooking and shower!)

The first batch went out in brilliant sunshine and a stiffish breeze. It has now been rained on by an 'occasional light shower'.

I was right not to go out.