United Nations

Ah well, the scientists are into their scientific rituals. Statutory jokes and polite clappings and murmuring speakers + powerpoint. Granny and her friend Lucy meantime cook on the other side of the curtain. It's the United Nations here - (some nations via the US). Russian, Greek, Norweigen (can't spell it), French, Chinese, Spanish. English, US. One - Greek - wife of British scientist very depressed and afraid of mice - difficult here. Same wife also inclined to blame hosts and husband for weather having turned cloudy and windy. Three French got grounded by sick pilot and arrived five hours late. One Yank booked to Gran Canaria by mistake, instead of Lanzarote. Etc. Etc. Etc. Granny, with Lucy's help, just keeps on cooking. When not trying to find out about scuba diving on the island or how to get to Morocco. (Inquisitive people, guests.) Exhausted anyway. Though it's good to know that 20 people ate lunch and FOUND IT GOOD. (Smoked salmon salad, semolina gnocchi with Piedmontese peppers, figs cooked in Malaga wine with mascarpone.) Tomorrow's chicken is cooking right now.

So to her hammock.