We have our new broadband service up and running – or I do, though the other poor saps are still on dial up. So, in theory, the phone line should be always free, or it will be when Jul hooks up to my computer, which depends on Liv coming up with the ‘knowledge’.

I find I still get twitchy wondering if anyone is trying to phone and justifying still being online. I’ve already got used to the speed, though, which seems almost as slow as before!

There appear to be just as many sets of croquet ‘rules’ as there are croquet websites! However, after submitting my formal complaint concerning taking a ‘foul’ shot again, this is what I got in reply:

“Faults and Penalties:
There are no penalties for faults, fouls, or strokes out of turn. All balls are replaced, offending strokes are replayed, and play continues in the proper sequence.”

Something I completely forgot was that in doubles a version we used to play allowed either ball of a pair to be played on any one turn. As the rules state:

“In International Rules play it is not required to follow the blue-red-black-yellow sequence. Turns alternate between the two sides, and on your turn you may choose to play either ball.”

Also worthy of note, considering the Decoy/Pliskin tendancy to hold informal committee meetings prior to and during each shot, is this:

“Expeditious play is required at all times. Deliberate time-wasting is absolutely improper.”

Wet weather, bad asthma. I find I can barely climb into the attic to check the Test match is still rained off, never mind do anything really active. If it stops raining for long enough it’ll be croquet rather than crud for me. That’s a shame since I was looking forward to testing my skills against Pliskin with his ludicrously overweight bat.

It only started raining after John came round and moaned about climate change and the merciless sun and how we were all doomed to premature extinction. I begged to differ but he was having none of it.

I played Liv at crud this weekend. I lost the first two sets (of a five setter) , 6-1, 6-2, and then won the next 7-5. That was on Saturday. Coated with a thick sheen of sweat, we cycled to the beach for a swim. Then, on Sunday, I lost the final set 6-2. Crushing defeat!

We started another game (a three setter), which Liv won the first set of 6-1 and I countered with 6-3.

Although Liv had all the rub of the green, with a stack of shots hitting the sticks and bouncing in off the tree, the dismal fact is, I hadn’t got sufficient skill to deal with his power play. Also, my racquet was clearly past its sell by date.

Hi C’rot. I just sent you an email asking for Neil and Sally’s address. Also Coco’s, if you’ve got it. I’ve lost my entire email archive including address book on account of a cruddy back up program recommended by Liv (actually, untrue: I insisted on using it despite his scepticism) which produced a natty looking folder called ’emails’ which on closer inspection proved to be empty inside!

I’m putting a few pictures here and a few on the bavardage. The blue tinge is because the camera settings were wrong.

Mamie’s old house … !!!

Mamie’s outdoor kitchen. Marvellous.

Beach

Refreshing

We stayed until midnight. It was best early on when conversation was possible. As time passed, the music volume was gradually increased so you had to shout to be heart. It was fascinating watching the host crouching over his ‘deck’, selecting vinyls to play and syncronising the bass beat that reverberated through my bones. Not many neighbours were present, but the couple next door came and admitted using earplugs more than occasionally.