Warmish days, cold nights have been the order of the things recently. Today I could go riding with only a t-shirt and light jacket, a big change from only half a week ago. The garden looks wonderful in transition, with most deciduous trees still in that clinging-on phase, a few more dogged than others. The Japanese maple by the front gate has a decided hint of red. Soon it will burn brightly in the sunshine before the great shedding begins.

Another hemisphere away, the Grand Sumo Tournament is gearing up for the summer basho. We can only pray that the Yokozuna is fit to return, after sitting out a number of tourneys. Giant Mongolian Ichinojo has retired, reportedly (and believably) due to chronic back pain. Asanoyama returns to the top division after his long climb back and I hope is able to present a credible threat to the top tier of wrestlers. And Takakeisho is kadoban, needing to win 8 bouts to retain his ozeki status.

Interesting days indeed!