Kitchen work

We spent much of the morning removing every moveable object from kitchen surfaces, and then covered surfaces with plastic sheeting, ready for the arrival of damp proofing workers called in to troubleshoot a problem damp path on the wall by the sink. It appears this problem was caused by the material used by builders to remedy the problem last time this happened. We're fortunate that the work has a guarantee for life on it, so we're able to call upon the company which did the cavity wall insulation to do the work.

When we finished, we had a picnic lunch in the lounge, and then I walked to the Castle to place my small Remembrance cross in the Garden of Remembrance. Subscribing RBL members are now issued with their cross in their autumn mailing. A good idea to my mind. People write on their crosses the names of people lost, family, friends and colleagues. The garden is arranged in sections by year subdivided into regiments squadrons and other units, from 1914 through the 2021. 

The sheer volume of crosses representing the first and second world wars is a stark reminder of the scale of loss, and it continues to happen. Each year of the twenty first century contains crosses, albeit fewer since British forces withdrew from the Middle East and Afghanistan. My cross was dedicated to Great Uncles Will and Alf, and members of the Armed Forces Chaplaincy division killed putting themselves in harm's way to minister to others in mortal danger.

When I got home I found that the workmen were already on their way out. The method of removing surface plaster and the offending plaster board beneath was chosen to minimise the production of dust, so our dust covering work wasn't entirely necessary. In half an hour, dust sheets were packed away and everything was back in its place. The plasterer comes tomorrow, then the painter the day after.

Anticipating that the kitchen might be out of action, we booked a supper table at Stefano's. I seemed a good excuse for dining out. We had a most enjoyable meal and were back home by eight fifteen, watching 'Fake or Fortune', a fascinating essay in Impressionist fin de siècle art history. Then this week's new NCIS episode, before turning in for the night.