Terry Pratchett - Nation

As a long time Pratchett fan, I was delighted to see his new book on sale just before we went to Nice. There was even a free pen!

Well, it's been a struggle. I thought, for the most part, it was amazingly derivative (e.g. Harry Harrison's A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah! from 1972 ...). There were some interesting twists, of course, but I'm not convinced that this is Pratchett at his best - or anywhere near it. I'll read it again in a couple of weeks in the hope that I missed the best bits first time round.

So ...

Back from Nice, where the sun shone and the food was good. Actually warm enough to sit on the beach and swim in the sea.
Took trips to Cannes and to Ventimiglia, but probably won't repeat either.

So now, back to work - new students arrived yesterday!

Today, one of my PhD student has her viva voce examination -- I don't think she needs any luck, but a few good thoughts wouldn't hurt ...

And still it rains

The rain continues.... I've just spent an hour outside clearing storm water drains. I've never seen the garden so wet; the vegetable patch is a pond, the path is a river and I'm being (slightly) amused by watching the neighbours trying to bale-out their patio with a bucket when, clearly, there's nowhere to throw the water - hope they haven't got a big problem, though...

The weather forecast continues to be vile. It could stop now. Really.

FOR THE RAIN IT RAINETH EVERY DAY

I've never really believed that Shakespeare existed, but the quote from 12th Night (above) seems to say it all at the moment. It's raining AGAIN!

It's really quite depressing and the garden's suffering too - several plants (some of them quite old) have died because they can't stand being so waterlogged. The pond in the picture (not the best pic ever, I agree, but shot from my study window in the rain) is really the path. Maybe it'll discourage the squirrels from digging in the lawn?


MAKE IT STOP, PLEASE!

IT FEELS LIKE AUTUMN

I know that, technically, September 1st is the beginning of Autumn, but it isn't usually noticeable so early. Mornings and evenings are cool: it's still raining: the nights are drawing in: the leaves have started to turn.

We haven't really had much of a summer this year. Gloomiest August on record and highest rainfall for years.

Still, off to nice in 10 days time, so maybe we'll see the sun there?