I have to say I don’t like the advert for quitting smoking where a guy gets a fish hook in his mouth. I don’t know how effective it would be for a smoker but I found it unnecessarily gruesome. Mind you I am a real baby.

Went to a do last night and it must have been the first time in ages I have been to something in a non smoke-free environment. The air was fuggy with the stuff. Within a couple of hours I was wheezing and coughing and a day later I’m still not right. It took me by surprise really to realise how much smoking has been banished to a corner. I will be glad to see it further displaced come July. I have no sympathy whatsoever for smokers. It is a waste of money, it makes people smell and it costs the Health Service millions. It doesn’t look glamorous at all and I struggle to see why anyone would want to walk around with their mouth stuck round a chimney.

I have added to my collection of water butts this weekend. In fact I have doubled the number I have. To two. In the fullness of time I aim to double that number as well. I like to run an environmentally friendly garden as far as possible. The garden is littered with compost heaps. Some of them aren’t official and may need taking in hand once the weather warms up. And one, at nearly six foot, is taller than me so it is quite difficult to get anything more on top. I suspect it may be turning into a triffid and it may need to have its position carefully monitored. I am sure I shall go up the garden one day and find it resting inside the shed, totally spaced out on the overpowering aniseedy smell of the drying fennel and dipping into the birdseed.

Well, it could happen!