Back in Blighty.

Brighton Pavilion in the snow.

I'm back in England for the second time in a month, having left Lord Magnon home alone in France.

He's given me a huge shopping list that includes Haggis, Green ginger wine, and Horseradish sauce. All things he says he can't live without.

Brighton is beautiful in the snow, but with all the hills and inclines it's also rather dangerous. I've already seen several people on their backs.

So, I'm off Christmas shopping until mid-month. If you see a very thin Lord M begging on a street corner, do give him a mince pie and a kind word. And tell him I'll be back soon.

Cottage life.

I love this time of year. To me there's nothing to compare with sitting around the fire on a cold evening, stretching my legs out on the sofa, and either reading a good book or watching a favourite film on TV. I took the above photo yesterday mid-To Kill a Mockingbird. What a way to spend a cool sunday afternoon.

Lord M installed this Godin wood-burning stove a couple of years back. At first I was a little upset to have lost our old smokey, spark-spitting fire, but the advantages of the new stove are now obvious. It can be easily revived in the morning, easily left burning whilst we are out, and gives off a fabulous heat when required. Winters can be very cold here in southern France, so reliable heating, double glazing, and good insulation are essential. A cottage can still look like an ancient cottage, but the advantages of modern technology need to be embraced.

Beast of Burden.

I had an interesting family life, I went to a good school, I studied Fine Art at college, and then I met Lord Magnon.

Now I'm a dogsbody; painting evil smelling wood-preservative onto splinter-filled planks, and creeping about amongst rafters poking itchy insulating material into dark corners.

Where did it all go wrong?

Lady Magnon Regrets.....

THERE WILL NOW BE A SHORT INTERMISSION.

Happy Birthday HJ.

These two belong to our oldest son who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. The one doing all the hard work is Harvey J, and the one in the buggy is his brother Ollie. As can be seen, the photo was taken at Leipzig Zoo.

It's Harvey J's 4th birthday tomorrow (April 25th). So, have a very happy birthday, from Grumsy (and Grumpy)!

Wasps

I sometimes wonder what nature had in mind when she invented WASPS.

With the hot weather, they are just beginning to re-appear. Usually they make their small nests under the old 'Roman' tiles on the roof, but last year one gang decided to nest amongst the stones on the front of the house, and caused quite a nuisance of themselves.

Lord Magnon did his best with insect sprays, stuffing putty and paper into the holes, and 'rabbit deterrent' (that's another story), but we couldn't eradicate them. I'm keeping a careful eye out for them this year; at the first sign of any going in where they were last year, it'll be 'handbags at dawn'.

The rainbow.

I suppose we're never satisfied. Now that we're through the worst of winter, and well into spring, I'm already beginning to miss the rain.

Those sudden showers that brought with them the rainbows will probably not return for months.

I always love looking out due east, towards the church, and seeing these huge bright arches in the sky. Nature comes up with some really great ideas.