Monday, 29th February 2016 - Bob

Due to the extra day in the year I had a marriage proposal today. Unfortunately, it was from a girlfriend. Possibly a little 'tongue-in-cheek' which is a shame more ways than one.

Harriet, Bella and I made the most of Kat our mobile hairdresser and all had a hair cut. Mine is the shortest I have ever had it. It is quite charming after the expert hands of Kat. It will be interesting to see what it does under my influence.

My art class project was painting glass bottles on a mirror, yes, the same as last week but we got to use colour. It was frowningly, breath holdingly difficult. I had a great evening.

Thursday, 25th February 2016 - School Skip

Tim walked with Harriet, Hetty and Bella to school this morning. Hetty has very energetic legs which skip rather than walk. Oh to be young with energetic legs.

My date and walnut cake may be burnt on the outside but the inside is rather delicious. 

I mange to squeeze a quick coffee and a shared bacon roll in with Sarah at Cocolicous. Is this becoming rather a gorgeous habit? 

Monday, 22nd February 2016 - Fox

Harriet was very tolerant of my many visits today. So good to have them home. I needed to soak myself in their company.

My slight crush on Mr Fox continues. I get my hit from listening to his rather voice and music.

Back to art class this evening. We are working on reflections in bottles on a mirror. Incredibly challenging. Mine was too short, too wide, rubbed out, started again, a very poor drawing resulted. I had a marvellous time attempting my failure.

Sunday, 21st February 2016 - Muddy Walk

What a fine way to spend a Sunday.

We met with Mike, Pippa, Nigel, Nigel (yes, two) Sarah and a trio of dogs for a bracing beautiful muddy walk to The Great House for a welcome drink. Back at Nigel and Sarah's we had a bountiful and delicious lunch. We all appreciated Sarah having to get up in the early hours wearing just her dressing gown to start the lamb cooking. It really was worth it. 

I was introduced to a new game. Mexican train dominos. Great fun after a few drinks, loads of food with friends in front of a fire. I recommend you get a set immediately.

Luckily the television provided me with Call The Midwife...."no, NO, you really shouldn't be doing that!!!!" But she did, oh dear, followed by the Night Watchman while I ploughed through piles of ironing. Tom Hiddleston is rather gorgeous. 

Friday, 19th February 2016 - Sarah-Jane and Sarah

I increased my work pace this morning so I could get out for a lunch date. I spent a couple of most enjoyable hours with Sarah-Jane and Sarah at The Black Pig in Tunbridge Wells.

Marks and Spencers was a frumpy disappointment. I had no worry trying to curb my spending as there was bugger all I liked.

This evening was spent with the delightful Tony and Wendy at The White Hart, Bodium. We gave it 8/10.  Worth a visit if you are passing. 

I am stuffed with food and drink.

Wednesday, 17th February 2016 - Dunnocks becomes Wood Anemone

Home and back to work. I have cake and a Tescos delivery for today's guests.

Mum identified these tiny birds that were pottering around in our garden via a phone description. Clever lady. They were Dunnocks. They are very pretty with their striped backs and blue/grey heads. I have attempted three paintings and they have all gone in the bin. Such a feeling of pleasure to rip a bad painting into pieces.

It was so great to see Harriet, Hetty and Bella who seemed to have grown in height and energy (possibly not Harriet) since we last saw them. They are pure bundles of precious delight.

Thursday, 11th February 2016 - New Bar in Sixt

What a stunning morning. Fresh snow and blue skies.

Tim went ski-ing the mad fool. The thought still feels me with dread. I had a coffee in a new bar in Sixt with a view of the snow capped mountains. Not bad, not bad at all. 

This afternoon I had a brief flash back to my office days.over thirty years ago. I was doing a bit of copy typing for Tim. This was after a beautiful walk, reading my book and a bit of painting so don't feel too sorry for me.

We met late afternoon and tried out the new bar, Nunabar. We hit it at a busy time. I was amused to watch the woman serving running. Not a good look. It made her seem manic. But then she probably was. 

Wednesday, 10th February 2016 - Brairet

I dragged myself from bed at 2am. We are off to France.

What a joy British Airways are. We were frequent flyer bronze something class. We got to use the lounge with newspapers and copious amounts of food and drink if needed. What a lot of pace we had on the plane. Glass glasses and steel cutlery were a nice touch. Just a shame that 6.30 am is too early to drink sparkling wine.

Tim made a smooth exit out of Geneva - it is a tricky task. A stop at Cluses for a Carrefour shop. 240 euros on basics. Really!!! That did include red, white, sparkling wine, beer and cider. It's thirsty work being on holiday. Steve and Zoe's chalet is charming. We went to bed knackered and sated. 

Tuesday, 9th February 2016 - Mystery Device

We are packed and ready for our French holiday in the Alps chez The Adams Family.

This evening we caught up with Mike and Pippa between our trips away and theirs we have not seen much of them.  They found this strange device in France. I am not convinced it is a butter maker. I look forward to the results.

Monday, 8th February 2016 - Sarah Gets Pierced

Sarah and I met for a long overdue coffee and bacon roll with mustard in Cocolicous. I needed to get some mascara, a pearl earring and a tube of burnt sienna. Sarah had a desire to have her ear pierced. On our third attempt of asking Purdy and Powell were willing and able. She only wanted one of her 'fine' (description the piercer used) earlobes done. She could have had a another body part exploited but refrained .... this time.

Sunday, 6th February 2016 - Hitting the Wall

Even if the day has been rather pleasant, which it has been today, there are times that there seems to be a brick wall that needs to be conquered.

This evening we met with Alan at The Peacock. Less than two hours later and the final dance programme for the WoK Morris was sorted for the year including that date for carols which was a bit weird.

Saturday, 5th February 2016 - Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Coffee

It has been a been rather nice having guests again. I feel the house is being made good use of. Bit damn exhausting though.

Thursday, 4th February 2016 - Primrose and Rose Hips

Today I have been hot. I had to whip my red wooly hat off whilst gardening. 

I went swimming this evening. There were two men in my lane, well technically not 'my' lane but the slow lane, then just one and we seemed to be swimming about the same pace for a while. The. I realised he was catching me up. I got an attack of the giggles. You know when you are being chased and nearly caught. Put me right off my rhythm for a while.

Wednesday, 3rd February 2016 - Camelia

I am having trouble waking up. I am not sure if it is jetlag or I am just a lazy bugger.

Sometimes I feel lonely even though I am surrounded by people.

We have a Camelia shrub which is jammed up against the corner of the house. Each year it produces the most exotic oriental blooms.

Tuesday, 2nd February 2016 - Fiat Farewell

The Fiat we have had for over ten years was taken away today. It arrived on a low loader not running and left in a similar, but rather poorer, state. It has seen Tom through his teenage years. Tim and I have been on many adventure in it. Finally, it was an interim support car for The Evans family. Well done little Fiat you have done us proud.

Monday, 1st February 2016 - Lichen

This is a twig from the garden. A project for the microscope I thought to myself. The heat from the lamp livened up quite a few tiny insects. I tried to catch them but they were too speedy. Who knows what crevice they have crept into.