Framed

The Doctor sent us a lovely present of a copy of his sketch of Bab Taghout.  I'm not sure how he managed it because there is no bend up where the page was bound into the book. We got it framed. I'm pleased with the colour of the mount but had misunderstood and thought it was going to be wider.

Proved wrong

Those of you who remember how I moaned about how hard the roses were pruned last November  and that I wouldn't see them flower this year will be sniggering at this picture.

It was the up to a rather frustrating arrival.

 We had calculated to be able to eat here at home or at the least at the cafe next to the airport and had not snacked on the plane which arrived early. We had thought landing at 6.00WET we would be picking up the car about 7.00. We landed at 5.30 and were encouraged that they had not given out entry cards on the plane  so, as we had completed ones, we could leapfrog the other passengers to the front of the queue. Although the early arrival put us at the back of a queue of arrivals from other destinations we were indeed at the front of those off our plane. The people from the seat in front were several zig-zags behind us. The queue moved more slowly than usual. This was because they were checking not just passports and immigration cards but also boarding cards which peple were not expecting and there would be a flurried search in hand luggage as each person was asked for it. At the end of the zig-zags there were about 20 separate queues for each immigration officer. We made a very poor choice. Our officer was obviously a trainee who had to ask constant questions of his mentor who was proceeding at normal speed. Our guy was exactly half as fast. We watched the people from the seat in front sail past and became glummer. 

By the time we got to the Hertz desk we  were at the back of a long queue. Eventually we got to the car park with rental documents at 9.00. A lengthy and thorough check of documents , spare tyre, scratches on car by torchlight. Check the petrol level, find the car park ticket; I am so far past when I should have eaten I fear a hypo meltdown but have found an old packet of Werthers I and crunching determinedly. Turn the ignition key. Car does not start. Try a few more times. Summon colleague and attempt push start. No go. Fetch another car repeat procedure. We leave at 10 local time. The cafe is closed, as are most Hanuts. We manage to get milk but no bread. We are home at 11.30 all is miserable and then I see the roses.