I write this, in my pyjamas and dressing gown, in a state of thaw. We've had a lovely but cold day today. We met up with some friends who also have a greyhound, another black boy called Paco, who looks strikingly like Andy. Our friends live in Cardiff so we decided to meet approximately halfway, along the A470, at Garwnant, a Forestry Commission area within the Brecon Beacons National Park, adjacent to the Llwynonn reservoir.

We had a wonderful walk and Paco and Andy in particular got on famously. I have to say though the weather was bitterly cold. To our astonishment, the reservoir was frozen completely, with no visible signs of water anywhere. The views were wonderful, and we scrambled down off the main track to a path by the side of the lake. We seemed to have the place virtually to ourselves and it was gorgeous. We had a slight problem getting back on to the main track - there was a stile but no dog gate, so we had a difficult and rather undignified game of "Pass the Greyhound" to get them over the stile. Eventually stopped and had a coffee and some chocolate traybake that I made yesterday, which was very welcome in the cold air.

Then it was off to Cardiff to visit the house to pick up some photo albums and photo CDs for Sarah's scrapbook. We went over to a friend's house who has been laid low by the flu that has been going around. As she lives by herself, she has not been able to walk her greyhounds much. I'd been intending to accompany Andrew as we took her greys over to Tredegar, but unfortunately my heel had by now gone into a major sulk after its first proper walk in ages. So I waited in the house while Andrew did the good deed. Then it was time to bundle our two back into the car and back up north on the A470, admiring the wonderful moon that was visible for most of the journey. Now we're thawing out and I suspect an early night is due, as we're both very tired as are the dogs.