No snakes today. On Friday the press office rang up to ask if we had been picking up live snakes that had been released near a school. That's what I like about this job - you never quite know what the phone will bring. Saturday was a day for having my hair done, cut and coloured - a rather fetching purple brown colour, very dark, unleashing my inner Goth princess. It must be admitted that my IGP is never far away and doesn't need much unleashing, just the tiniest amount of encouragement. Unfortunately although I am 42 (well nearly) on the outside, I am still 17 inside.

Saturday night we watched BBC4 who were doing Die Valkurie from the ROH, with Bryn Terfel singing Wotan, and Rosamund Plowright singing Brunnhilde. Glorious singing, although again miserable depressing costumes. Why oh why can't they just do proper ones with armour and decent hairdos? Think of an Arthur Rackham illustration and you're there in theory. The singing though was sublime, and I was moved to tears by the beauty of the final act and indeed the powerful eroticism of the bond between Siegmund and Sieglinde - if that is done right, the powerful attraction which has the twin taboo of both adultery and incest (although they don't know that at first)absolutely sizzles. However, the final act was accompanied by a gentle and rhythmic sound from the adjacent sofa, comprising a snoring husband. How anyone can sleep through a Wagner opera defeats me, but he said the music was very peaceful. Hmmmm.

Sunday we toddled down to Somerset for the day to see Andrew's parents, both looking very well, and they had the fire lit which is lovely in the winter. The day seemed to fly by, and then the young master jumped on a very early train this morning to get up to London. Unfortunately, the train was delayed by points problems so he phoned me about an hour and a half after leaving home to announce he'd barely gone 10 miles. And the Govt wonders why people drive cars.........

Meanwhile I trundled off to a site meeting with a location I have written about before. Meeting attended by politicians and sure enough, there was plenty of evidence of the aftermath of the oldest profession. What surprised me was the sheer variety of colours for the condoms - there were very bright red and yellow ones tied up on the floor, which of course made them easy to see. On a Goth website I recently saw black condoms advertised, but I hadn't caught up with the move to such a dazzling variety. The police seemed to take a very sanguine view of the problem- I think it is highly unlikely that they will want to move the issue away from industrial estates onto the nuisance caused by prostitution in residential areas. If we had sensible legislation in this country we would not allow street work, but would have properly licensed brothels where professionals could work in peace, safety and dispose of their waste properly. However this is never an issue that society wants to tackle.

Back from London, and only 240 emails waiting for me at work. What's the matter with you all? Don't you love me? Harrumph.... So, London - what can I say? It was lovely. Travelled up on Friday and stayed at our usual hotel. This is the Radisson Edwardian Sussex just behind Marble Arch/Oxford Street. Fantastic location, and we like it - bedrooms always comfortable, and lovely staff who seem really genuine. Friday night we went over to Cantina at Vinopolis - had a lovely evening there with cousin Alyson, and wobbled back after a delightful time admiring the river and the gherkin. Saturday we engaged in a little retail therapy down Bond Street - we loved Jo Malone but Smythson was a disappointment and the staff were very offhand. Boo hiss, won't spend our money there again. In the afternoon we went to a matinee performance of the Mousetrap, now in its 55th year just next door to the Ivy. Thoroughly enjoyable in a delightfully cosy, non threatening way, performed very competently in a tiny and lovely little theatre which made it very intimate and friendly. I can recommend. In the evening we sped off to Fino on Charlotte Street - or is it? Although the postal address is the actual restaurant entrance is round the corner so always confuses taxi drivers and other visitors. Joined by uncle Warwick where we had a magnificent and splendiferous Spanish feast of tapas, eaten in a leisurely way accompanied by much quaffing of red wine and some serious debate about the possible unity of Catholic and anglican churches and the ordination of women.......... A fantastic evening, again service was wonderful, food delicious and company convivial. Bliss.

Sunday was a little more relaxed. A trip over to the National portrait gallery which was my first time there. I was completely overcome as in the same room was a magnificent picture of one of my heroes, Sir Richard Burton and also a few photos of the expedition of another of my heroes, Captain Scott.. There was something so unbearably moving about seeing the photos of the little hut, crammed to the rafters with branded equipment and food like Bisto or Oxo, and homely things like socks while Scott was busy at his desk, or a picture of Dr Wilson before they set off for their last fatal walk. In some ways the fact that they were photos rather than paintings or drawings made them far more immediate and recent, and of course even more painful and unsettling to see. Also in the same room was a very fine portrait of Lord Baden Powell, lookign very twinkly and avuncular. Seeing Sir Richard though made me think of his dear wife Lady Isabel and I felt very sad there was no accompanying portrait of her. He was an extraordinarily handsome and striking man. When we lived in Herts, I made a pilgrimage to their tomb in the Catholic cemetary in Mortlake, that too was very moving. The tomb is shaped like an Arab tent, and although blocked up now, originally had an enamelled blue ceiling with golden stars and a tinkling camel bell. Wow.

Anyway we emerged to a full flight of Chinese new year celebrations which were lovely. Firecrackers exploded constantly around us in the street, beautiful lanterns swayed from every available lamp post and high place and in Leicester Square they organised a huge firework and firecracker display.

Sunday evening, we had a quiet meal at Zizzi on Wigmore Street. Monday morning returned to St Christophers Place as we had located the Marimekko shop. I have loved these beautiful Finnish textiles for a number of years, so stocked up. As is usual, we fell in love with a wonderful fabric that Andrew suggested would look gorgeous as a wall hanging on the landing, and sure enough they had none left!!

Returning to Oxford Street, stopped to talk to some operatives engaged in cleaning the street surface with a very good piece of kit, the Nilfisk. They have given me the contact details for the company and were very patient with all my questions and photos. Eventually caught the train home Monday afternoon, happily laden with a variety of parcels including the treat of some caviar (about the size of a large teaspoon, but costing a fortune) from Fortnum and Masons, one of my favourite shops in London (along with Liberty of course).

Have just tried to add photos of crocus in the garden, but keep getting an "Error on Page" message. Must be a glitch. Will try later.

Happy Birthday to my brother - 40 today. If you're reading this, Liz is trying to get hold of your new mobile number.

I'll begin with Madam Butterfly last Saturday night. The day was not the happiest anyway as Andrew's run had been cancelled, but we were both looking forward to a vintage production. We had seats in the front row of the Upper Circle, so had a good view. Unfortunately Julian Smith, the WNO's veteran conductor was as usual setting the volume of the orchestra (who actually play extremely well) in competition with rather than to complement the singers.

The set to be fair was very pretty and the costumes were all in the currently fashionable shades of chocolate, beige and chalk pink. Unfortunately Pinkerton's uniform looked as though he had slept in it, it was extremely baggy and poorly cut, and the portly singer wearing it kept pausing to yank his trousers above his belly. This is not the ideal behaviour for a romantic leading male who is supposed to be a dashing, Richard Gere type figure in a sexy uniform. I just kept wishing they could have afforded to buy him a pair of braces. Things continued to go from bad to worse with Butterfly having a voice like a corncrake, when she was audible over the din of the orchestra. By the end of the first act, we were both so disappointed and fed up we walked out. Butterfly should be an absolute cert for WNO - it's an old war horse, never fails to pull a sell out crowd, has lots of lovely tunes that are very well known, and has opportunities for good visuals and costumes. Yet it went wrong. Audience near us seemed to be enjoying it, but for us we were extremely disappointed. So we came home.

On Sunday, Sarah arrived for her study break - half term in Carmarthenshire is a week ahead of Cardiff. She stayed until yesterday, working on her art portfolio, but it was a constant battle to get her off the computer where she enjoys MSN-ing all her friends.

I seem to have spent the week doing large quantities of ironing. Happily, the pile has now shrunk considerably. As it was such a sunny day yesterday, I took some photos of the garden. We now have lots of crocus emerging, and a few Tete a tete narcissi. I attach a photo looking back towards the house. As you can see, the ferns have settled in extremely well and I am very happy with their progress. The little pot of violas on the step is flourishing. Even the recent snow last week does not seem to have damaged them. For sturdy determination they have been fantastic.

Started making some Easter cards last night- experimenting with a variety of papers. Most enjoyable.

More snow. Drove to work OK but as soon as I arrived it really began to hammer down hard. We eventually called all the guys back in around 10, and by 11 most of the office based staff had gone. Drove home after 12 very gingerly - I hate driving in snow, and by then it was deep and slushy. Why do people tailgate in this weather?

Young master is in London, and as I type should be on his way home, GWR permitting. Unfortunately, just had email confirmation that the PPUK Valentine Love Run that he was entering tomorrow has been postponed due to the weather conditions. He had been looking forward to this so much and had been training hard to beat his previous time. As it is a park course, he should have been able to have made a fast time. Unfortunately, the race has been postponed to a date when we are away. Ho hum.

Have just finished a huge pile of ironing, and am now going to relax with some stitching. My sampler is progressing well. Tomorrow evening is Madam Butterfly - hoorah!

Snow today. Interestingly, bang on forecast. Woke this morning to a white world. One of my colleagues kindly gave me a lift into work as he has a 4x4, the perfect vehicle for this weather. Journey only marred by the fact that his closest ear to me is his deaf ear, and the batteries had gone in his hearing aid, so what should have been a pleasant early morning chat ended up with me bellowing for a bit, then eventually giving up. No refuse collection or street sweeping today - sent the guys home. Office very very quiet and most other people left early especially as they were worried about ice and bus services were quite irregular.

A thoroughly annoying day as a particular Cllr was on the rampage
making all sorts of wild allegations and generally throwing his teddy out of his pram. What is most growl making is the fact that his constant interruptions to moan actually take more time than getting on with the job. Aaargh.

Time now for another of my pet hates. CANCER RESEARCH CAMPAIGN ads. Nothing like a bit of emotional blackmail. Yes, I know that they need to encourage people to give. But I hate the way they ambush you on the radio or on tv when you least expect it, and I am still at the stage where the issue is raw for me. Heard one yesterday on the radio featuring a sobbing woman with the voiceover asking if they were tears of joy or sadness. Felt an instant urge to ensure the latter, most uncharitably. The trouble is that all cancer survivors (and our loved ones) know that surviving is just as hard as going through the treatment (in some ways more difficult). All of us live with the knife edge - we plan our lives from hospital appt to hospital appt rather than the calendar. We worry endlessly about every little ache or sneeze or bump - is IT back? Is that cough a sign of mets in my lungs? Is that twinge in my back a tumour? Meanwhile like swans we gracefully (or not so in some cases) paddle along the surface, running our lives, doing our jobs, having fun. And then all of a sudden while watching some mindless and delightful nonsense on TV, someones sits there looking brave, and says "I shouldn't be here. Or my mum should be here." This kicks you in the solar plexus, ruins your evening and leaves me feeling miserable and conscious of that chap in the black cloak with the scythe sitting apologetically in the corner of the room. So, if you want to support a cancer charity please do so, there are some great ones around. But not the CRC. My vote goes for hospices - they are fab. The care I had in the one in St Albans, Grove House was outstanding. There, rant over for this evening.

Snow is forecast, all around us, little children having fun..... yes, go on, hum along to Shakey...

Tomorrow we coastal softies are due for around 5cm while the hardy souls of the valleys and mountains will be getting between 10-15 cm. Phwoar, missus... I wonder what it will be like. Although I love playing in snow, it's an absolute nightmare at work, as schools seem to close at the first sign of a flake so half the workforce is on emergency childcare, even if the roads are perfectly clear. Also I am a big girl's blouse and hate driving in it. So we wait and see. The pond is frozen at the moment though of course we have the little plastic ducks maintaining an oxygen passageway for the fish, who I devoutly hope are tucked up nice and warm in their duvets having a snuggly winter snooze.

Eventful times at work. Went to Scrutiny Committee last night - talked about street cleansing, it was an interesting session. After the meeting, came back towards the depot with our Enforcement Manager, and checked out an industrial site that was the subject of a meeting today. Found the site we were interested in was nicely closed up with no trouble but a neighbouring dodgy skip hire firm was ablaze. Immediately called up the fire brigade, the Environment Agency and shortly after two fire engines arrived along with the police. our concern was that there were gas bottles on site. Slowly developed hypothermia watching the fire be extinguished then returned to base, collected car and retraced my steps to the station to collect the young master, returning from Brum where he'd been at a meeting. When we finally got home, both very tired, cold and hungry. Munched some grub and almost immediately collapsed into bed.

This morning, had a call to deal with an abandoned pig's head (where was the rest of it?). Needed to move swiftly on that as it is possible it may have been intended as part of a racist attack. Also dealt with one of our Councillors who was upset about what he described as some fly-tipping but was in fact waste stored securely under some scaffolding behind high fences- hmm. Must be election season.

A member of staff wants to return to driving duties after being off them for a number of years - he withdrew when going through some personal difficulties. I respect this position and we will do our best to support this. Alas, another driver yesterday was not so careful, driving a small mechanical brush over some temp traffic light cables with his brushes down, thus ripping them from the carriageway and causing traffic lights to collapse. It would be funny if it wasn't so stupid.

The letter bombs in the news are causing us some concern. Received emergency guidance (common sense rules) as of course our dept includes transport and traffic related issues. Spent some time with our senior admin team going over mail procedures.

Also now continuing to refine our bird flu procedures. We are currently involved in a long series of meetings anyway with our colleagues in Emergency Planning, refining a number of our pandemic issues and procedures, but the current situation has hightened people's awareness.

Had a meeting with our Portfolio holder this afternoon about the industrial site mentioned above and in previous posts. Have suggested using some of our recent grant money to alleygate it, or doing a joint surveillance operation with the EA. Highways are now considering some of the practical issues related to gating - this would be the best long term solution.

Finished early as last visit this afternoon by plumber's mate to do the grouting on the last section of tiling. Now all complete and looking like a rhapsody in blue......