Harry Potter *contains SPOILERS*

Please don't read this if you don't want to know what happens in _The Deathly Hallows_.

I really wasn't going to buy the last of the installments from the HP chronicles. I was going to wait until all the hype had passed and borrow it from the library. That plan failed miserably with the appearance of a couple of owls outside of the local book shop. THEY MADE ME BUY IT. Clever little things.

I must admit, and please don't think me heathen for saying this, but I've never been impressed with JKR's writing style. But I was pleasantly surprised by this offering of Potter-ness. Mind you, after six other novels the chances were probably in favour of improvement. And you know what? I really enjoyed it. I'm quite prepared to read it again.

I was hooked from the moment I started reading and highly disappointed when real life got in the way. There are two points I'd like to have not experienced. One: Dobby. Poor, poor Dobby. His appearance is all too brief and all too fatal. Two: It's a shame about the last chapter. I don't want to know what happens to the protagonists nineteen years later, I want to make my own endings for them. I had Harry all set for a nervous breakdown before going on a crime spree and turning to crack, finally ending up in St. Mungo's for a stint in rehab, and possibly growing old in Azkahban. I'm not even going to reveal what I had planned for Ron and Hermione.

Still, I've just got enough time before bed to start on the first couple of chapters again.

To Charon the ferryman and the mysterious scaffolders.

A big and heartfelt thank you to Rob who has been patiently ferrying people across the car park so they can reach their boats. At times, especially in the dead of night, it has been strange to see a figure emerge from the distance in a small rowing boat and offer assistance in crossing the flood water. No payment has yet been needed!

This is also a big thank you to the mysterious scaffolders who appeared out of nowhere as the flood waters rose and erected scaffolding beside boats to prevent them breaching the banks. How very kind and thoughtful.

And finally, a big up yours to those who have fought over sandbags and only looked after themselves!

Be nice, the world appreciates you more.

For mum and dad in law.

Rob aged 33 in his new pair of wellingtons. Ahh, isn't he cute playing in the puddles in the garden

Rose garden.

Sinking.

This is the park.

Or it was.