For three days now, it has rained, almost non-stop. At least it’s keeping to the routine for when Best Mate is here.

>I had to get up early to move the car this morning and took the boys out whilst I was at it. Then we had coffee and then a trip to the market. I had forgotten the market, on Tuesdays, in a street that crosses The Perfect Street.

I was going to get an ironing board but BM persuaded me that Ikea, where we should be as I write this, would have them and for less money. I did buy a clothes rack, for drying clothes, some fruit and some asparagus, with the idea that I would do the asparagus with fried egg and Parmesan for BM.

She found the whole thing amusing. Especially my hunt for asparagus. She is easily amused – especially by me, it would seem.

We got back and were wet and cold. However, soon after we went to get lunch at Free Time café, just off Corso Buenos Aires. She couldn’t believe how cheap it was to have lunch there.

Then shopping, where she went a bit mad with buying crap – chocolate, crisps, cakes – oh, yes, and a bottle of Barolo – for my birthday. That wasn’t cheap but, still, much cheaper than the UK.

Then we had to get back as the furniture restorer was coming round to start the fixing of my bookcase. I bought it from the money my grandfather left me in his will, so it’s kind of special, other than being a beautiful piece of furniture.

It’s now in the middle of the lounge, glued and held together with clamps. They are back on Thursday afternoon.

I might suggest we go on our trip to Ikea now. I do hate that place but there are so many things I need which they provide cheaply.