Stormy weather!

Well, it is all kicking off in Blighty, and I'm not talking just about the weather! We had a short dry spell one afternoon this week and I went to the allotment to do a bit of catch-up, clearing weeds in preparation for warmer, dryer times and some hopeful planting. I'm glad that I invested in a length of ground cover fabric in the autumn so at least one part of my patch is not sodden and choked with weed. The pear tree had cropped so well last year that I've given it a good mulch of manure. The nubs of rhubarb are pushing through the ground, so, even though it is cold, wet and dank there are signs of promise.

But attention isn't on planting this week but with the fascinating goings on around 'a man in his sixties in Norfolk', the wonderfully po-faced description by the police. What will be the outcome? A jail sentence, I hope, and a thorough overhaul of the British monarchy, long overdue. It needs to be far more appropriate for modern times. I'm a member of a local writing group and wrote a poem yesterday that I'll be reading out at the next meeting. 19.2.26 A man in his sixties in Norfolk celebrated his birthday today. They came at eight in the morning and quietly drove him away. He was probably still in his pjs, the ones with the royal crest, a man of such high standing surely never sleeps in his vest! I dare say he felt rather slighted torn away from his teddy bears but I'm feeling very delighted at this current state of affairs. His brother has issued a statement, far more than a note of regret, so perhaps it is quite fortunate that Andie's unable to sweat. I'm waiting for police news with interest, for the moment they're keeping quite sthum. I'm hoping they'll manage to dish up the dirt and then there'll be some fun. We are all tired of privilage corrupting, depravity and lies. I hope that he won't wriggle free no matter how he tries. I live in a country that claims to be as equal in justice for you as for me. Well, here is the test and we'll see what we see.

February

We have two family birthdays in January, no chance to shed the extra pounds that were gained during the feasting at Christmas. The family were all with us over the weekend. Himself had requested a small homemade chocolate cake to please be decorated by our grandson. The boy did well!

There were quite a few candles to blow out, although not the whole eighty-four!

Wee One, our younger daughter, prepared the meal. I got down the old meat platter from the top of the kitchen cupboard. No fish, fowl or flesh this time, all the food was vegetarian, a first, I think, for this platter.

A base of Greek yoghurt, a drizzle of vaious spices, herbs and sauces

and a topping of vegetables to roast. Delicious!

We ate a variety of other colourful salads

and finished off with a very indulgent tiramisu.

But now it is February and we are going to behave. The cold and wet continues but there is a very occasional glimmer of sunlight to cheer us through these winter monthe.