End of Summer is Coming

   Another cool but sunny day. It was only 8C this morning and just managed to struggle up to 19C by the afternoon. At least it is nice in the sun. I had a long morning at the tennis club (8:30 to 12:30) and, after, lunch at Metro (sushi) with Jasmin, Dick and Martin - a working lunch as we were discussing our strategy for the tennis club AGM later this month. We're not happy with the current management.

   I have just finished the sushi with a glass of wine but will have dinner later. I got bored with watching tennis yesterday and watched "The Danish Girl", a video from my friend Cathy. I think I may resort to another movie tonight but this afternoon watched the lone Canadian still playing at the US Open. He won when his opponent withdrew due to injury. However, a win's a win!

   The sun is going down and the temperature is dropping. I have on warmer pants, a sweater and socks. My days of daily swims in the pool are well and truly over and the guys will come to close it up in a couple of weeks. It is always rather bitter sweet when the pool gets its winter cover on.

   

   

Cooling Off

   I am sitting bathed in late afternoon sunshine as I type this but it is cold outside as the wind is from the north. I was all bundled up for tennis this morning but most layers came off as I played. Susan and I had another game of singles (one set each) but that will be the last for this summer as she is back to work next week, poor thing!

   More US Open matches to watch today - I fear Mr. Federer is out as are some other top seeds. The numbers are dwindling. Not much else to report, it has been a quiet day at home.

   Late Note: Roger was 2-1 down in sets when I left the match but managed a win in 5 sets. Amazing!

   

More Tennis on TV

    My usual Wednesday - fitness class, coffee with the ladies, home to watch some tennis(the Canadian woman lost) then back to my kitchen job. It wasn't busy and I closed up around 2:30 and was home shortly after. I found a Diana Gabaldon book (the "Outlander" series) among the used books and brought it home even though I had read it. I will pass it on to another fan.

    Since then I have been watching more US Open, some very exciting matches but not always coming out the way I hoped.

    I made a cauliflower and chicken casserole for dinner tonight but only managed to eat about 1/3 of it so it will be lingering another two days. For sure I won't be needing anything else tonight!

Books and Berries

   I didn't stay long at tennis this morning - it was very busy and hot so after three sets I came home to have a swim (very chilly but refreshing) and watch the US Open. I saw several good matches but, unfortunately, it's now raining in New York so there will only be the matches on the court with a roof this evening. We could do with some rain here!

   I have just finished a very peculiar book - "The Ocean at the End of the Lane". I would describe it as fantasy. It really was very confusing and did not have a satisfying conclusion as I still did not understand it. However, it was compelling reading and I finished it over a couple of days. I can't say I would recommend it but if you want something out of the ordinary, try it.

    The blackbirds have started to devour the berries in the Mountain Ash so I thought I had better get a photo before they are all gone. There is a huge crop this year!

This is just one branch - the whole tree is similarly loaded!