A couple of things have happened today ...

... that have been well-worth recording.

Firstly, an event that happens so rarely that a note needs to be made of it so that it can silence my critics, and that is that I was up, washed and breakfasted this morning before the alarm went off. And how often does that happen? It must be my guilty conscience pricking me, or else I wet the bed or something.

Mind you, this back trouble that I have, with it sticking to the sheets, is something of a recent phenomenon. When I lived in Crewe, you know I was quite an early riser. For example, there were 37 magistrates that sat on the bench of the Crewe Petty Sessions and I was up before them on a regular basis.

Second thing that happened to day was that the home-made immersion heater that has been ticking along quite nicely, burst into frenzied activity today. 52 degrees it made, with an ambient temperature of  just 21.5. And by the time the water had finished doing its stuff it had reached 53.5. A load of insulation wrapped round that will see that fine, I reckon.

But the sun has gone down from the solar water and it struggled up to 31 degrees, even though it was bright sunshine outside. However a bucket of water out of the small boiler settled that and I had a nice shower this evening. I'd already sampled some of the hot water for a wash and shave as I was going out. I like this boiler!

There were two reasons why I had to look pretty. Firstly I've been appointed to this referee's whatsit. I've had my letter today, so it was off to Montlucon to buy some kit. A nice shirt, shorts, socks, whistle and red and yellow cards. What else does a man need?

I also have to go to Clermont Ferrand on Saturday 11th September for a referees' induction meeting. It starts at 08:45 - heck, I can't even normally make my kitchen for then!

But the second reason for going out was that Liz and I had been summoned to Marcillat - the offices of Radio Tartasse, a small local radio station that broadcasts to the south of the Allier and the eastern Creuze as far as Gueret. They want to franchise "Radio Anglais". Yes our fame is spreading.

And after going to a cafe in Marcillat, where the waiter forgot to bring us out coffees, Liz and I went for a nosey around the old station site there, now that I know where it is.

Phew!