I have hope in abundance: I try so hard to be optimistic about life in general. I’ve planted things and hoped they will survive, if that’s not hope I don’t know what else to do to prove I have a hopeful spirit!

With the hottest temperatures reported all over the UK, I really hope staying inside is best for me, but I’m nervous that it deprives me of the sunshine’s energy and useful vitamins. I’m not sleeping well either, another of the most tiresome aspects of either my health-related symptoms or my age-related hormones. If I have an afternoon nap am I exacerbating that insomnia? Who knows?

I have a new aspect to consider, too, that (I can’t write this without sobbing…) grief will creep up on me unexpectedly. Not a new condition but it’s hitting harder than ever. I woke up this morning feeling so positive and happy but it (sadness) sneaks into the everyday world unexpectedly.

I can’t even go and pull some weeds up. At these temperatures it would be a mistake. I pulled some crawling weeds out of the front Phormium when I walked past at 11am and it was staggering how easily I felt incapacitated: weak and feeling overheated from two or three tugs.

I should read those birthday garden books and keep cool!

PS: a potential prime minister might have mentioned needing hope… after all the government shenanigans of recent years my hope for the country is not going to be my only form of hope left…