My appointment with Gravelpounce Whimperstrand,the Director of the Dingley Dell Festival was to have been this afternoon. A call from his office at the eleventh hour (twenty minutes before I was due to be there),gave little by way of an apology,save a plea to me to understand how stressful his work was at the moment,and to beg for a work free afternoon today. I was gracious,if terrifically annoyed,and made sure his assistant pencilled me in for next week ,same time.
I telephoned Portamus to let him know the appointment had been postponed. He was not best pleased, but thanked me for my initiative in the matter. He is an old committee partner of Gravelpounce , and had no doubt called in the interview as a favour. A few expletives rippled down the woodland telephone towards me (not at me), and I audibly heard Portamus say "wait till I see him". Not a great start for my new post,but I remain positive that small problems will sort themselves out.

I occupied the rest of the day with laundry,cleaning and betrothal matters, so it passed comfortably ,quietly and slightly excitedly.
It was nice to have a quiet day,to catch up with chores,and just smell the breeze. I managed a walk round the flower beds to check on the weed population,and my Backyard Boys. The rain of the past few days has made my Boys look rather grubby,so a quick brush and wash-up was in order. Mandolini looked pleased to see me and to have his valeting done, but the other three eyed me gingerly as I approached, hose in hand. They looked so much better when I had finished,that I hope they saw the worth of my endeavours. I checked the bird trays, and bird bath,and left them sparkling. New fat balls and peanuts will surely attract a spate of bird life for miles around.
I am making Pendragon's favourite vegetarian goatherd pie for tea tonight.No goatherds in it ,as you will understand,but brimming with carrots, peas, soya mince,and parsnips . He loves it, his cradle food he calls it,and it is sure to warm him up on this colder summer night. I feel Autumn days are pushing to get through,and although a little sunshine showed for an hour today,it is basically greyer than it was. My front plant pots are losing their bloom, with my annual plants now past their best.
I bought lots of autumn and winter bulbs yesterday at the Jolly Woodman,and am now looking out for winter pansies and any dwarf shrubs which will survuve the frost when it comes.

I wrote some letters to friends this afternoon, and a well-wishing card to Piccallilli who returns to work next week. Yes, school summer holidays are almost over , in Dingley Dell at least, and Piccallilli will be already looking out her school outfits,and swilling out her lunch box.
I miss her camaraderie in my daily life,if not the work itself. October will bring my first anniversary as an escapee from teaching. I have used the time well and am currently pleased with my progress so far. There is still much to do, and more new paths to follow,but I have opened doors,leading to a new course in life.

Tomorrow, my friends, I journey to another new haunt in my search for used parchments, and may visit Brigantia for further garden supplies. I am also going to my former toadstool in Brigantia to pick some apples from my apple tree.
Pies will abound,my true and quirky friends,and Pendragon will be even more mellow with such an onslaught on his already sweet tooth.
Love and crumble to you all,from Amarantha Willow,the Rainbow Faery.