Photo diary: Project 365, week 3, 2026

Week 3 going on 4, and it wasn't the smooth sailing. 

 It's been a while since I made pancakes on Sunday, and I thought my guys would enjoy the treat. That's the way my boys like it, with a sliced banana, whipped cream and chocolate fudge sauce on top.

My personal preference is honey, or maple syrup. How do you like your pancakes?

It was definitely a Blue Monday for me. I got up, feeling utterly wrecked. My ribs hurt a lot, I had difficulty breathing, and was really worried how I was going to cope. 

I went to the pharmacy and begged for the pain relief (when Sasha was out with his PAs), as the Ibuleve gel didn't even touch the pain. They suggested I needed to be seen by a doctor. As if it were that easy.

I couldn't go to A&E as my husband was away and I had no-one to look after Sasha for several hours. His PAs took him out briefly, but waiting time at A&E is so long that it would be unrealistic to expect to go in and out in that short slot. Paracetamol & Codeine helped with the pain, and by the next morning my breathing normalised too.

There are still some Christmas decorations in town, including this reindeer in the square by the cinema. I wonder when he goes back to sleep until the next Christmas.

Finished reading Hero on a Bicycle by Shirley Hughes. She is well known for her marvellous illustrated books for young children, like the Alfie, and Doggo series. Her charming drawings are instanty recognisable. She also wrote some books for middle grade school.

Hero on a Bicycle is set in Italy, in 1944, when Florence was under the German occupation. It's a story of a 13-year-old Paolo and his family, and how in extraordinary circumstances ordinary people find strength to do heroic deeds, often against their own judgment. Reading it as a grown-up and a mother, it made me think of how fragile we are, how vulnerable, and how often children don't listen to their parents, thinking they are invincible. If only.

It also made me think of my in-laws, both of whom were young children in the Nazi-occupied Italy.

Started reading Grace by A.M. Shine, a horror story set on a remote, creepy island. The proofs arrived in an evelope with the image of the book cover printed on it, how cool is that?! So far it is pretty riveting.

My husband was back from his travels the evening before, and as has become our little custom, he shopped at St Pancras station. There is a little cafe Aux Merveilleux de Fred that sells the most delicious buns, with sugar on top, and with raisins (they also have other tasty bakes and patisserie).

We had buns for breakfast.

Thursday is another miserable day. Grey skies and almost non-stop rain. My poor Sash got a stomach bug, so I had to cancel his PAs asap. He spent most of the day dosing off in bed.

I was too preoccupied to take even a basic snap. My brother, on the other hand, who was staying in Istanbul with his wife and daughter, sent me a whole lot of beautiful photos from their travels and visits to museums, palaces and harem.

My brother is a big softie. When he travels, he takes with him a big bag of cat food, and also buys food locally to feed the street cats. There were lots of cats' photos. 

I loved this staircase, so moody and atmospheric.

Thanks goodness, Sasha was better the next day. 

All the week I have been drawing illustrations on the theme of the Alphabet Challenge. My final drawing was a Zany Yak with a Xylophone, covering XYZ letters. 

In the last few months I got addicted to ginger-flavoured teas. I think I prefer lemon & ginger combination in comparison to the pure ginger tea, but anything goes. I am quite obsessed with it, and have at least a couple of cups every day.

How did your week go?

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