A New Seat
I know it seems a minor thing, but when one has an unstable pedestal, not all the thrones in the world will seem safe.
Most toilets in Australia are of the classic pedestal style. Apart from the ones I experienced as a youngster in France, lo these many centuries past, which consisted of a pair of tiled foot places and a hole in the ground, I have used nothing else either here in Australia or in England. And in all those years they have always been a reassuring point in one’s day to take a moment to contemplate the wonders of the written word.

But a few weeks ago our throne room was rocked by an increasing instability of the throne. The toilet pedestal had become loose from its seal and if one sat on it incautiously (or late at night, half asleep) there would be a disconcerting wobble.

But this week we finally got a plumber to come this week. And now our throne is once more secure upon its pedestal, and contemplation of the wonders of life feels a lot safer than it did a week ago. Which strangely enough, seems to reflect on the rest of ones life. How strange!