On the last night of what was officially the wettest April in 100 years, I watched the news yesterday. Flood waters are rising across the South and a man was drowned when his car was swamped by 5 foot of water as he tried to cross a ford.  That led to this...

Behind me, is a high, bare wall.  The encroaching water is surging over my shoes.  If I were Superman, I could fly away.  Unfortunately, I’m me.

Since I left work, I have been struck by how wonderful it is to have freedom but also by how easy it is to get used to being alone.  I have gone from a busy office, with lots going on, to most of the day in the quiet of my study.  Now while this has its distractions (such as people kindly ringing up to fix the computer problem I don't have, or to 'just do a survey'), it is not the same.  So, I have resolved (in a way that I know is slightly contradictory) to both get out more and stay in to write this blog and to record the interesting, quirky aspects of life. 

With these, I am going to create 26 word stories.  Why 26 words?  Why not?  It gives me a structure to work within and try to capture the very essence of what is going on.  I'd love to have your comments and thoughts.

Here's the first, inspired by a couple in the pub at the weekend.  It seemed as if they really didn't want to be together, but neither could find the words to express why.

“I’m leaving.” “What?  But why?” The bag was bulging.  A struggle with zips, she shuts it and shrugs. “If you don’t know, I can’t explain it."