This evening we went to the beach, had fish and chips, and a paddle. My younger daughter (aged 7) complained abut the wetness of the water, and then asked why it was that water was wet. I supposed I could have started to explain about polar solvents, after which I’d have just blathered. Instead I came up with a poem, after the manner of Spike Milligan:

I run to the beach, my legs all bandy;
The wind is windy, the sand all sandy;
The water is wet, the waves are wavy;
I want to go home and have doughnuts and gravy.

(Well, what would you have done?)

Meanwhile, I have had a break of three weeks or so from writing By The Sea, having reached what I supposed was halfway through. I now realize, looking at the plot, that I am a lot further through than that, perhaps two thirds, and that I am just about to enter the climactic final act in which all will be revealed…

At least I shall finish the thing quicker. This book is driving me barmy!