Hooray! The seventeenth of May is another glorious sunny day in Dawlish, the third day running; by English standards that is a heatwave – long may it last.

But more importantly, it is Mary’s birthday. In our family we don’t tend to make a big song and dance about birthdays as there are so many of us, but I have only one sister, the kindest, most beautiful person I have ever known and her name is Mary. She is eighteen months my senior, therefore she did everything slightly ahead of me. When, at only fifteen years old and just arrived from Australia, she began work as a secretary, Mary never bought anything for herself without buying something for me. For much of our childhood and teenage years we shared a bedroom as well as everything in the wardrobe that fitted us both. All through my life I’ve had to be careful not to admire her possessions too enthusiastically or she would press them upon me. Mary is witty, intelligent and a marvellous travelling companion (so long as you don’t drive too fast!).

The birthday girl hasn’t been well with a chest infection for nearly a month; the sunshine will be a great boon to her health and morale. I tried to phone her a little earlier without success; I had a feeling she wouldn’t hear – of course, she will be in her daughter’s garden… making the garden grow. Happy birthday Mary!