An update on the community garden.

Yesterday, we built a panelled fence after some ruthless children knocked down part of the mesh fence - children I was similar to as a child; children who we'll try to educate and entertain.

Around 20 people came along at different times yesterday - a collection of odd, beautiful souls; a homeless man from the Isle of Wight; a girl who's had a troubled life who writes poetry and who finds solace here; and Anouchka's daughter: an eighteen-year-old, beautiful girl who seems somewhat troubled to me - she podium-dances to pay the bills but hopes to become a police constable.

When she brought up that fact, Anouchka brushed it off as if it were nothing but an unconcerning discrepancy, stating that she, too, worked as a podium dancer in her youth.

I like Anouchka. I like all the people who frequent the place. One lady - a scouser - keeps talking about the yet-to-be-done deeds (such as maybe creating a children's area). She's got a bee in her bonnet, but I'm okay with that. She has two lovely children. She also donated a parasol.

I de-weeded. I sat in the sunshine like a king surveying his domain. I let contemplation drift by. It's a beautiful feeling to bathe beneath sunshine in undemanding circumstances.

I was told that King Sturge doesn't plan to build on the land for another five years. Now we not only have community hope; we now have time on our side.

I planted some dill with Lily and we hope it will have grown by November. Some bricks, wood and compost have been donated by various people and now accumulate in a promising heap. There are more flowers here now and two more benches. I donated a table after the previous one was stolen.*

*I was at loggerheads with Anouchka after publishing this because I got a few certain details wrong and she also disagreed with its publication as some comments I made were sourced from private conversations. However, I have apologised in full. I will leave it up for now, after amending a few details. If anyone asks for it to be taken down, I'll do so immediately.