Author: Stephen James

Found myself in circumstances earlier this week that set off major anxiety. I should have known it would happen as the anticipation had been rumbling around my head for days. It was the full on racing-thoughts-angry-sweating-tight-chested-backed-into-a-corner-fight-or-flight variety. Carried on for much of the day so I was exhausted by the end.What did help though was discussing it with my wife. She could see it going on so very sensibly suggested we take a moment to talk it over. And that helped in a big way.We both knew the other knew what was going on, but getting it out in the open helped diffuse my anxiety. I couldn’t stop it altogether but an acknowledgment of the situation allowed me to take a step back, giving me the perspective of an observer more than a participant. And of course, the cascade of terrible scenarios that I had built up in my mind never happened…..

Yesterday afternoon, out in the garden. At 2.55pm a loud boom up in the sky, just to the south. A little like the sound of the live firing we sometimes hear from Salisbury Plain, when the MoD are playing with their toys. Except this sound didn’t stop there. It continued with a kind of stuttering, throbbing quality, like a whole series of lesser ‘booms’, appearing to move to the west. For perhaps half a minute. Long enough for us to discuss it while it happened. The sky was overcast so there was nothing to see.I have heard sonic booms in the past. Including that of Concorde. This sound however, was quite different to any I’ve previously heard because of how long it continued for. As an aside, a few months before Concorde was retired from service we were walking on the North Somerset coast. We heard a sonic boom out to the west and shortly after spotted the unmistakable shape of Concorde high above us. Fun to see such an iconic aircraft before it disappeared from the skies.Looking around online it’s clear that yesterday’s noise was [heard across much of the southwest](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-56475333), shaking windows and causing ducks to jump in the air! The RAF say it wasn’t them. One theory is that it was caused by a meteor as there appeared to be one seen over Jersey at around the same time. It had never occurred to me that [meteors can cause sonic booms](https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/can-you-hear-a-meteor/).I’d be very intrigued to know if it could be confirmed this was the source of yesterday’s sound.

The dry summer has lasted well into September. Funnily, it was early in the month that we used the wood burner on a couple of cooler evenings. The rest have been very mild. All change last week, with gales and plenty of much needed rain.

Yesterday we collected conkers. Have no use for them. Just like to look at them, enjoy the feel of them in the hand.

Leaving for work on Monday morning, a flat tyre. A wheel change, a trip to the tyre shop, half the morning gone, original plans scuppered, how best to use the rest of the day. Usually this leaves me feeling frustrated, stressed, guilty even. Not quite in control and my day wasted.

As it was I was able to catch up on some outstanding tasks; email clients, planning, that sort of thing. Which, of course, restored a little control. Salvaged the day.

I’m not good at letting go, adapting. I tend to hold on tighter. But maybe after forty-odd years, I am learning.

Deleted my Facebook account. Not that I used it much, but in terms of getting rid of accounts where privacy is the issue, Facebook is the big one.

Went camping last weekend. Gorgeous weather, colder at night now. Cirrus clouds made a myriad of patterns. A little time to stop and look around.

So that’s it for another Ashes series & The Summer of Cricket. And what a summer…Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, Jofra Archer…

Perhaps, as well, the question of who can open for England has finally been answered.

Stepped out into our garden early this morning. There has been little in the way of bird song recently, but in the half-light of dawn, I could hear Robins singing again. I enjoy the shift in the seasons.