... and dine

The herb garden crew meet from time to time to discuss the next season’s plantings. A dinner was held last night at 23 The Circus, our local cafe. It was very lively and noisy, with no thought for social distancing - though W.A. has only 5 cases, all returned travellers in hotel quarantine. However, it still felt strange and risky to be in such a packed venue.

Only one revelation this time about problem partners. Some years ago M’s husband deserted her and decamped to the Philippines, where women are more compliant. Now he thinks he’d like to come back, but even if he can get a flight, he will have to pay for two weeks quarantine and then where would he go? M in the meantime has found another boy friend, whose main attraction is that he owns a luxurious caravan and they go on trips. I find him rather uncouth; he once sold me a Seiko watch that had fallen off the back of a lorry. (I don’t think M reads this blog!)

The main attraction on Friday night is the oyster shucker. There is a big demand as people feel safe in ordering the oysters when they are absolutely fresh. They come in by air every day and the airport is on our side of town. The shucker collects them himself and is contracted by several restaurants on many nights of the week.. He makes a living by shucking. He wears a smart black overall, rather Japanese in style and looks as if he enjoys his job:

I only had three last night, but I’ll go again for more!