27 December 2009
Chloe and family gathered up their hordes of booty and left shortly before lunch, leaving a void but restoring the house to its normal tranquillity. Next year they will be elsewhere. Where will we be I wonder! I have personally have wonderful Christmas only slightly marred by the realisation that I am increasingly finding it […]
Boxing Day 2009
An early-morning visitation to my bed by Lara and Seb. but thankfully not so early is Christmas morning. After they were bored with their grandfather’s chat, I was left in peace to have my breakfast and then  I snuggled down for an hour or so and listened to the test match from South Africa. After […]
Christmas Day 2009
The family arrived in time for tea mid-afternoon. There was still enough snow covering the ground and the thatch to lend some Christmas enchantment. The little ones, and granddaughter Lara, almost 5 years old, particularly being a little overexcited about the prospects of the day to come. Last year both Lara, and brother Sebastion, then 7 […]
Christmas Eve 2009
Sadly, a thaw has set in and much of the snow is disappearing fast from the garden. I had hoped it would remain long enough for the children to revel in it and perhaps make a snowman. The paddock still has a fair covering and snow is forecast for tonight, so who knows we might […]
22 December 2009
We are approaching Christmas and I feel I should explain why the blog is over one month in arrears. Unfortunately Richard has suffered from an unusually heavy workload compounded by a nasty bout of flu and bronchitis. He has all of the entries up to the current date and will endeavour to put them on […]
21 December 2009
Still a lot of snow on the ground and more forecast. I’m beginning to worry about the family getting here for Christmas -Â they are due on Christmas Eve.
18 December 2009
We had a heavy snowfall overnight but woke to the most beautiful day – bright blue sky. The garden an our thatched cottage looks very pretty, a scene straight off a sentimental Christmas card, also reminiscent of my younger days on the ski slopes. Jodie from AbilityNet was due today to give me a couple […]
17 December 2009
I am ashamed to admit that I was off to London again today for yet another luxurious lunch. This one with Dr Julian Critchlow of my literary executor and a jolly partner, at Fenwick Elliiott’s, Simon Tolson – both solicitors. This time I was escorted to the train in a less dramatic fashion and hopefully […]
16 December 2009
Some months ago, Â someone from the NHS came here to assess what environmental control systems they could provide, bearing in mind the continuing loss of the use of my hands. Today, an engineer came as a result of that visit to fit some equipment, basically touch sensitive light switches, a hands-free alarm telephone from the […]
15 December 2009
The geriatrics were blessed with yet another beautiful winter’s day chilly, but sunny and thankfully no wind as I was determined to make this the final appearance of my kilt this year. I wore it, as much as anything, because this was the day of Christmas lunch and it added a touch of colour.
D. Mark Cato
D. Mark Cato