CRICKET, oh, the time I spent many years ago, many a long, and I mean long, afternoon watching my husband play.

He was a spin bowler in those days for Chorley in the Lancashire something or other.

I really did try desperately to look interested, but I was secretly waiting, longing, for the goodies we ate in the interval or should I, if I am going to be correct, say half time?

Now, when the weather was good, cricket was great, for then I could lay back in the deck chair and quietly doze away the afternoon, soaking up the sun.

Funny isn’t it, because in my memory those afternoons were always sunny which, of course, couldn’t be so, could it?

Maybe the summers were better then, or is it that distance and time lends enchantment and a blurring of the real facts?

As I sit writing this, looking out of the window into the garden, I can see the little squirrel who lives up in my big tree, cautiously reviewing the situation.

He’s carefully looking both ways and thinking ‘is it really safe to venture forth, to eat those peanuts?’ I have thrown a lot of nuts along the path for him and yes, yes, he’s decided that the risk is well worth it, for he is sitting on his haunches holding the nuts in his fore paws and nibbling away, but all the while still taking quick glances.

I often wonder, is it really the same squirrel?

If it is so, then he’s getting on a bit, but then I don’t know just how long squirrels live.

Do you? I must look it up sometime.

Bill and I had a really lovely day on Saturday; we were at my friend Edith’s for tea.

I just can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon, because I think good friends, plus good food, always equals a good time.