Vermilion Sands
An occasional journal
Lieutenant Pigeon
Mar 21st 2020
A bird of military bearing perching indignantly above our empty bird feeder. Sorry mate; you’ll have to make do with mouldy old dough.
We videoconferenced the GWQ and had a lot of virtual fun but scored only 8.
Admin1 is rereading Century Rain by Alastair Reynolds.
All Ears
Mar 19th 2020
These jolly jews’ ears have suddenly appeared in our garden. Apparently they are edible. It may come to that.
Admin2 is reading Cocaine Nights by JG Ballard.
Self Isolation
Mar 18th 2020
The big fish has been stuck in the small pond for years. Admins 1 and 2, stuck at home for 3 days, have to learn from it.
Admin2 is reading The Sleeping Policeman by Andrew Taylor; completely different from his historical books, more like Patrick Hamilton.
We are watching Fortitude season 2.
Pie Day
Mar 14th 2020
Shepherd’s π.
Admin1 is reading The American Boy by Andrew Taylor … readable, but a bit of a slog. Admin2 is reading The Runaway by Ali Harper.
We scored 8 on the GWQ.
International Womens Day
Mar 8th 2020
Women are not to be trifled with.
Admin1 is reading The Runaway by Ali Harper.
We scored 11.5 on the GWQ.
Things You Don’t Often See
Mar 7th 2020
A bomb disposal car with a wolf in the passenger seat. I thought there was a model soldier on the dashboard but looking closer it’s probably the driver in the distance, dashing into Greggs for some ammunition.
Admin2 is reading Raven Black by Anne Cleeves.
Red Cloud
Mar 3rd 2020
Admin1 is reading Good Bait by John Harvey and Admin2 is rereading Gods without Men by Hari Kunzru. We are watching Spiral saison 7.
Flower of the Day: Primrose
Mar 1st 2020
Admin1 is reading Raven Black by Anne Cleeves and Admin2 is reading How Long Til Black Future Month by NK Jemsin. Black on black.
February was the wettest month ever in the whole country and not just in our garden, and featured a storm every weekend. Otherwise it was a normal cold miserable month.
We scored 11 on the GWQ.
Leap Day
Feb 29th 2020
It was 20 years ago today
That Admin2 got down on knees to say
‘Will you marry me, yea or nay?’
And Admin1 said ‘Er…OK.’
The Rain from Spain
Feb 28th 2020
After Ciara and Dennis, here’s Jorge! We’ve had over 100mm of rain so far this month; our wettest February ever.
Admin1 is reading The Fireman by Joe Hill. Admin2 is reading Cold Earth by Anne Cleeves.
Venus and a Crescent Moon
Feb 26th 2020
Here’s a closer look:
It’s Booktally Day!
Admin1 is reading A House of Ghosts by WC Ryan and Admin2 is reading Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel, bringing our total for the past seven years to 1775, 239 up on last year
Snow to Go
Feb 24th 2020
A dusting in the dead of night that melted in the light of day.
Admin1 is reading Whole Wide World by Paul McAuley and Admin2 is reading The Chalk Pit by Elly Griffiths.
Plums to Come
Feb 23rd 2020
Spring is coming!
Admin1 has been reading Mind’s Eye by Paul McAuley and Admin2 has been reading Harbour Street by Anne Cleeves.
And we scored FOURTEEN on the GWQ!
Under the Anvil
Feb 20th 2020
Surfers under a massive wave.
Admin1 is reading The Sand Men by Christopher Fowler. Admin2 is reading The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn; another shit girl book.
Happy Birthday Bob
Feb 17th 2020
Hip hip hooray, the Bobs is four today!
Despite the ongoing Storm Denis it was our sunniest day this year so far: 1.827kWh on the 3000th day of our solar panels.
Admin1 is reading Slow Motion Ghosts by Jeff Noon. Admin2 is reading The Fire Court by Andrew Taylor.
We scored 10.5 on the GWQ.
Raspberry Pie
Feb 14th 2020
Raspberries are red
Cream is white
Chocolate is sweet
And you are all right
Admin1 is reading Girl at Midnight by Katarzyna Bonda.
Cloud of the Day: Another Cumulonimbus
Feb 12th 2020
Storm Ciara is still hanging around and already Storm Dennis is coming.
Admin2 is reading Breathe by Dominick Donald;one hell of a book to read when you have a cough.