For the first time in my life I have managed to get avocado stones to sprout. In the past I used the cocktail sticks/ jar of water standing on a sunny windowsill method to absolutely no avail, but a couple of months ago Molly told me she had successfully sprouted one by wrapping a peeled stone in wet kitchen roll, sealing it up in a plastic box, and simply leaving it for 6 weeks. I used this method for three avocado stones, of which only one failed. At the same time I tried two with the cocktail stick/windowsill method, of which one has sprouted! I must be growing green fingers.

It's the most fascinating thing to observe, below is a sketch I drew in wonder yesterday. Until now, I have never seen a rooting and sprouting avocado stone but there is an uncanny resemblance to my drawing Before There Were Saturdays .

Flushed with success, I have been telling my friends all about it - with mixed reactions. My 'second brother' (oldest and best friend since I was 11 years old) in Germany said, "My flatmate in Edinburgh used to do that. You know, darling, they make very boring plants with just great big ugly leaves that do nothing". He grows marvellous, glamorous orchids which probably explains his opinion.
My other best friend in London, who it turns out has been making avocado plants this way for years and is currently sprouting lichee stones just by putting them in water, exclaimed with great enthusiasm: "Oh yes! How wonderful, they grow into lovely plants with lovely great big leaves!" 

Remember those carrot tops I was drawing on 6 June? Well, here they are now! They grew root-like tendrils from the eyes on the stumps, so I planted them in a pot the other day and they are now 23cm tall. I'm not sure what the two triffidy bits at the top are going to be, in my dreams they'll produce gorgeous big umbels like the ones below!

Photo: allotment-gardening.org

This is a sketchbook work from 2015 which I have been increasingly drawn to recently. I don't really know why, I think it just encompasses some of the ideas I have been putting together in my head for The Architect's Garden series (my Dad designed yachts and other marine vessels as well as buildings).
In my mind, this drawing has titled itself The Black Pearl (from the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films). Today that galleon seems to sum up my feelings: menacing, dishevelled, yet with battered sails still flying bravely and defiantly in the black-hearted winds of change. If Covid19 hasn't decimated my close friends and family, cancer has.
​RIP Robin John Walker, beloved brother, 13 July 1962 - 20 June 2021.

... to all our American friends!

I took this photo 4 years ago at the Edinburgh Christmas market and something about it makes me think of fireworks and celebrations, so very appropriate for today. Only 4 years ago, though. So many unbelievable events have happened since then, it feels more like 10 years ago.