03-Dec to 09-Dec 2011

Sat 03-Dec: Seems my life is nothing but paint and sandpaper at present, and today the carpet was fitted in the bedroom I'd just finished decorating. Hurrah! Just the curtains to pick and I'll then have a week or so break before it's the downstairs toilet next. But today's image is of the study, which I've nicknamed the Tardis. Do most of my tapping away these days from here since we gave it a good tidy a couple of weeks ago so there was at least room to sit. Had another go this afternoon, taking out about six bags of books, folders and other stuff. Still looks congested. Doesn't help that Linda's battling to keep all her playgroup stuff just in case, I'm battling to keep all my empty folders for the day I truly start to get organised, as well as the blue set of drawers I keep all my stuff in. Generally I'm having to fight my way past two clothes horses full of drying smalls. It's a difficult environment in which to be truly creative... excuse me a minute while I just wipe the steam from my glasses ~;0)

Sun 04-Dec: Paige's 7th birthday today, so we were round at Beth's house at midday for the party. Paige and Izzy were having a ball opening the presents while Connor and Sammy were holed up in Connor's bedroom, up to something. Here's the magnificent pheasant cake (Paige is keen on pheasants) Beth made. I've just been looking up the You've Been Framed web site and see you can get £250 if they show your video... when Beth was bringing the cake through full of lit candles the pheasant gave up the ghost and its head dropped off, all of which I caught on video!

Mon 05-Dec: At last... managed to escape the decorating and go for a walk in the country by myself this afternoon. Been more than a month since the last walk. Ambled off from St Ives to the Saxon ring village of Holywell, a two hour circular walk that included the sun setting over the banks of the River Ouse. This image is of a bit of the walk that's always fascinated me. It leads up and into Holywell and must have been used for millennia by those living in Holywell to walk to St Ives for the fairs and markets. I'm sure it's a holloway, with a double hedge and bank on one side. Just love identifying historical features in the landscape.

Tue 06-Dec: In between a walk this morning to The Thicket and an afternoon visit to the allotment and then squash with David, just managed to plant the wallflowers I'd grown from seed on the allotment in the border by the front door. Just in time, with the first serious frosts on their way.

Wed 07-Dec: Watched Paige's and Izzy's school play early this afternoon before we headed into town with Becky, Barry, Sammy and Izzy. Did a bit of shopping followed by drinks at The Dolphin. Really getting Christmassy now... The Dolphin had their decorations out and the lights were on around town. Here's Sammy getting a lift up to see his beloved Dolphin, Izzy following suit. We're heading across the St Ives bridge for an amble around town to view the Christmas lights before heading home.

Thu 08-Dec: Heading to the allotment this afternoon with a load of kitchen waste etc for composting, found they'd closed the car access gates for winter and had to cart the stuff up by wheelbarrow. Wasn't all bad... such a strong wind I almost got blown along. Spent most of the hour doing composting. Small win in the battle against the two rat brothers, who spring out from the warm depths of the compost whenever I remove the covering. Last week I managed to tap one on the head on his way out and looks like he's had it, since today only one made a burst for freedom. He was just too quick for me... get him next time!

Fri 09-Dec: Off to the Corn Exchange this evening for a first visit to the community cinema to watch The King's Speech with Becky, Beth and Chris. Really enjoyable. Managed with difficulty to get into the chocolates I'd bought without too much rustling, or so I thought... the female element of the group made out as though I'd drowned out all sound while extracting my dairy milk!