Any forward progress in regards to my domestic calamity has been stunted somewhat by my ill health, however as my energy levels increase and my capacity broadens – so too does my determination to get on top of life organisation once and for all. I have spent the majority of the evening outside gardening, trying to rid my courtyard of the growing jungle of weeds that has overtaken my pavement. It never ceases to amaze me that it’s never the large weeds that are the more difficult to pull out, but rather the smaller low spread variety that look so insignificant but whose roots grow deep.

The pruning shears came out to trim the overhanging trees that line my fence and so with brutal force, limbs were severed and branches thrown in the accumulating pile of green waste. Piles of leaves were raked up and composted on the garden beds and bags of bark chips were bought for the purpose of mulching. I am determined that before Thursday my backyard will be clean and cleared of anything that does not serve some greater purpose than being ornamental.