Last month's project to block pave the front drive left me with a much reduced area of garden. What had previously been lawn of a poor quality was now to be replaced by a shrubbery. This required thorough digging which, though heavy in nature, I planned to complete in time for autumn planting. To my surprise I have been able to do so within three weeks. This means that I have been able to relieve the paved expanse immediately with bedding plants. Other gardening activities have included planting geraniums and dahlias, all of which suffered immediately from the unseasonal winds.

School archiving took place without the assistance of the Student Archivists, who are preparing for, or taking, exams. It seemed quite lonely without them. But a very enjoyable Evening of Light Music and Jazz was both a compensation and the last appearance at school for some of its talented musicians. There was an opportunity to add another interview to the 'Aston Voices' project before an Aston Old Edwardian, Malcolm Walton, returned to his home in Italy.

The month saw my 72^nd birthday which was marked, rather than celebrated, with the family coffee morning followed by lunch. The gift from my brother of a DAB radio opens up a whole new world of fascinating broadcasting technology. The fitting of window boxes that day made further adornments to the front view of the house possible. Perhaps the greatest surprise of the day was the volume and warmth of good wishes showered upon me by many young friends via the social networking web site Facebook.

The annual visit from York of an old school friend was the opportunity to go to Bletchley Park. They charge too high an admission fee, far more than the National Trust, albeit for a ticket that is valid for 12 months, and then have the nerve to charge a further £3.00 for car parking! After that they tell you that one of the main exhibits, the Colossus project, is closed for the day. The compensating exhibitions on offer were a very poor substitute.

To round the day off the M1 was closed immediately you had got on it. Why they couldn't tell you that beforehand remains a mystery, which wasn't solved during the consequent four hour journey home.