These little Celestion speakers have been my ‘lifesaver’ on any number of occasions when I’m down and need some boosting. I just slap on a CD with some soul, reggae or ska and bounce around until the blues have gone.

Today they sit unusable because they’re not connected since the wiring has been done so they can’t work their magic on me. To be honest, I feel I need a bit of magic tonight, having spent my weekend up to my ears in filth (no, not the good sort of filth, the bad sort). Yesterday’s wall coming down, along with the aftermath of three weeks with sparkies wreaking havoc and this place is swimming in dust so deep it’s hard to see across the room or to breathe.

So, I have spent my precious Sunday (supposedly off work), working myself into the ground to try to clear some of the mess so we can return to some sort of normal life.

I need a boost to my flagging spirits, whether from my heavenly speakers or another quarter – I’m beginning to regret doing this…..

Last year, also in a fit of gloom, I was photographing tall ships.