Today has been glorious. My neighbours have been in garden most of the day. Despite obvious Welshness they have now stuck up an English flag and the Man of the House had TV in back garden with lead trailing through window so he could see match. My lover informs me that England won. The lady of the house connected said flag to line post with copious sellotape. An intermittent barbecue has lazily accompanied my neighbours’ time in their beautifully kept garden.

Contrary to the belief, many Welsh people do support England rather than whoever England happen to be playing! I was in a Cardiff pub frequented by Welsh-speakers during some football match where support of the team playing England was very much the order of the day. Our relationship with our nearest neighbour is very mixed!

The gardens and balconies I can see from here are a marvellous mix of urban life with paddling pools, clotheslines, trampolines sheds, parasols and a mystery pink rabbit hanging on a balcony line. The rabbit (who today seems to have morphed into a bear so I am no longer so sure of him) has been hanging on the line for some weeks now much to my curiosity. If he needed drying, he's had plenty of time. A wind chime and Chinese lantern with streamer complete the mystery decor of the balcony washing line.

Despite the town life feel I can also see the trees of our nearby green space in the background contrasting with the house and flats and complementing the greenery of the gardens. Our gardens seem to be wildlife haven to a variety of birds and I’ve had slowworms and hedgehogs passing through.

I have sat in garden, and then retreated indoors as the fierceness of the sun, so late-coming has burnt strongly. I’ve not yet built up my carapace to protect me as efficiently as my al-fresco neighbours.