Spring has sprung here in Adelaide where I have settled back after my two months away. A long hot summer is forecast but at least there has been good rainfall in July and August and Brownhill Creek which is nearby is flowing vigourously. My second trip of the week to the Adelaide Central Market  this afternoon for a bag of grapefruit( au$4.50 – less than 3 euro  – for nine)  to make Marmalade. Also successfully made an apple and rhubarb tart. Confidence restored after one forgettable effort at the Grosvenor Court Hotel !

Actually, I’ve just been speaking with Michael, back from Mount Melleray and nursing a cold. My flight back was the less boring because Michael had given me Eric Cross’s “The Tailor and Ansty ” which I finished just before landing in Adelaide and enjoyed hugely. Currently I’m getting through “What’s the point of being a Christian ” by Timothy Radcliffe  O.P., former Master-General of the Dominican Order. He was  recently in Brisbane and  gave an instructive and entertaining talk on the ABC ‘Encounter ‘ program which I listened to on the car radio coming back the other evening from Victor Harbour.        

 Good to have on the record the available facts about the Redmonds. Thanks for that, Eddie. Also good to learn of the new arrival, young Edward, and I hope soon to speak to the proud parents. A bit of sadder news yesterday. Another older O’Leary, Bernard, has gone to God and I’ll be at his funeral from the Passionist Monastery on Wednesday. No relation as far as I know but the brother of Sheila (O’Leary) Fennell, an old friend. There family were early Irish settlers in South Australia.

And the word for the day ? Stay in the day!