"Typical English weather"

Relieved to finish the problematic book club read last night. Over! I had an extra groan at the "Typical English weather" comment by the main character when staying in Peeblesshire ... Now onto the folklore book, which definitely leans towards the darker, more traditional form of folk stories. But is off to a great start.

Maugein on hand control

Got a nice reply from one of the Maugein staff who I'd emailed (carefully written in French!) to say just how much the chromatic button accordion seems to be helping me recover some better neurological control of my right hand. Which has been poorer since I had effectively a stroke in 2004 when my cerebral vasculitis relapsed suddenly and dramatically, and I was a lot weaker for a very very long time down my right side. She says they have other clients who have had strokes, and whose doctors have insisted that they must keep practicing the chromatic button accordions. Which are a particularly intricate form of accordion to play. But a wonderful exercise for limb and hand control, plus mental gymnastics. Mine seems to be helping my hand control more generally, including helping me play my piano accordion much better and for vastly longer. Quite an incredible result - I only started learning the chromatic button accordion in mid June.