I need to escape this grayness

Today I want to be somewhere warm. Somewhere where the sun is shining, and the air smells of sun-warmed aromatic plants and pine needles. Somewhere high and quiet where the only sound is the sighing of the wind and the occasional trill of a bird hunting seeds or insects in crevices in the rocks.

In the old (pre-child) days we used to go to the Mediterranean, to Mallorca or Cyprus or southern Spain, for a week in December or January. It used to see me through this dark, gray time of year which I find so hard. But now, because of the school Christmas holidays being so short, we can't do that any more, and I miss it.

Gah. I struggle with this time of year. I struggle with Christmas, despite the kids being so wonderfully into it. Roll on the solstice, when at least I can console myself with thoughts of Spring and the days getting longer.

Done

Christmas puddings made and steamed :-)

God Bless Radio 4

I do so love being able to listen to Radio 4 online (god bless broadband!). I've a tedious cut-and-paste sort of job to do today, and while I work I'm catching up on interesting programmes I've missed.

Snow

It's snowing out there! Big, wet flakes, but it's pitching. And given the temperature is only half a degree above freezing, it doesn't look like its about to go away.

I know I made Christmas puddings today, but this is ridiculous...