1/12/2025 the first day of summer

Today is the first day of summer in the southern hemisphere and to celebrate it we are rewarded with some lovely hot weather, and it’s going to stick around for the duration by the look of it, although not quite so hot as it’s been today. 

The beach was empty this morning thank goodness, because today has not been a good day.  I’d packed  Si’s rash vest in the bag for the trip and as the temp and UV was going to be so high today I thought it a good idea to put it on to stop me burning. It felt like a cwtch, but it made my memories leak out of my eyes and slide down my cheeks as I was sitting there. I figured it was best to just let them keep on sliding.  Si had so much life ahead of him, so many beautiful sunrises to enjoy, they were his favourite part of the day. He'd sit out in the mornings with his eyes closed, his glasses dangling from his fingers, face lifted to the sun with that little smile as the sunlight danced over him literally energising him for the day. We had so many more memories to make and it breaks my heart all over again that he didn't get to make them with me. I miss him sat beside me, I miss that feeling of being protected, cared for, and being secure in the knowledge he loves me more than anything in the world. I know he loved me til the end of his life, but it means I will miss him beyond words til the end of mine, and that is a little bit shit really. 

In an attempt to lift my mood I decided to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure, the treatment included a foot and leg massage which was actually lovely. It was going swimmingly until Take That came on the TV singing “I want you back for good”. Oh Just fuck off Gary Barlow, and you Robbie Williams in your stupid fluffy coat. You look absolutely ridiculous. Oh and when you get there fuck off again you bunch of assholes The poor lady doing my feet was lucky she didn’t get drop kicked into next week too, especially when she got the pumice stone out .And anyway, Iafter all that the nails are too bright anyway. I knew I should have gone with black to match my soul. The chair was an amazing piece of equipment. It massaged me as I had my feet done, really firmly and got into all the knots, I was quite reluctant to get out of it to be honest and I’m hoping it will help me sleep tonight. Outside the mall is a phone box where you can speak to Santa, the urge to ring and ask for Si back for Christmas was really strong. And yes I’m fully aware it was a ridiculous idea, but my mind has more of these stupid ideas than ever before now. 

After my nails were finished it was lunch time and I contemplated treating myself to a nice lunch, but as I clearly couldn’t be trusted to hold my shit together today I concluded it probably wasn’t one of my better ideas. Instead I went to Cole's, bought a punnet of blueberries, a bottle of kefir yogurt and 2 litres of water and took them back to the beach to eat them. I  also bought some ashwahanda root gummies to see if they help me sleep a bit better, although I suspect if I laid off the coffee I might have some more success in that department. After eating my lunch I made an executive decision to get out of the sunshine as I forgot my hat and sunstroke is the last thing I need today. I bumbled back to the hotel California and luckily,despite the intense heat I had no reason to stop at my favourite shady tree. Also I was probably in the wrong frame of mind  to have someone suggest to me I might be a plant pilferer. I am a Donkey on the edge! 

Reaching the hotel I contemplated a dip in the pool and Woking on my cannon balls but decided instead to go and crash on the bed with the air conditioner on full. Good plan Bridget. I fell asleep and woke up in time to go and see what  today’s sunset had to offer. It wasn’t as impactful as last nights but beautiful nevertheless. Took a selfie with the sunset behind me but deleted it because I had a face like a slapped ass. 

The beach was absolutely heaving despite it being dark, and loads of people in the ocean swimming, Crazy kids; clearly they’ve never watched Jaws.  

A slow bumble back to the Hotel and I was about ready to call it a day on the first day of summer. I’ve burnt my nose. Silly cow. I’m not sure if I missed out the sun oil off it but either way I look like Rudolf. 

Here’s hoping for a better day tomorrow, it’s my last full day in Scarborough with the beach access so I need to make the most of it. Kay is picking me up Wednesday morning from here before we meet Jim’s brothers for morning tea.  

Much love 

Mrs Leonard 

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