Things you never thought you'd be doing

Yesterday my plan was to visit Hastings to interview a guerrilla gardener. This schedule did not include any aspect of breaking and entering.

Helen and I were visiting someone for a quick walk and a cup of tea before setting off around the seventh Circle of Hell (the M25). The small hitch in this plan was that they had left keys in the locks on the inside of their front and back doors. The prospect of a long wait for a locksmith on a Sunday encouraged us to investigate the one bedroom window which had been left open. Some minutes later, my version of the Fosberry Flop got me through the window, with the aid of an Ottoman footstool to break my fall. This may have been the most athletic thing I have ever done - not that there's much competition.

We did get to Hastings for a chat with the gardener - and he's a splendid and interesting man, of which more, another time.