The plumbers are here! Contrary to popular urban legend, they are delightful, arrived exactly on time, appear neat and professional and brought their own stuff for making tea and coffee. Lead plumber even entered a brief but knowledgeable discussion of London theatre and has recommended a restaurant to us; I suspect he is a friend of Dorothy. So the transformation is under way. Very exciting. I have spent the day quietly cross stitching out of the way downstairs - it has been a real treat.The sampler is progressing well. Young master is in London today, returning later tonight and working from home tomorrow so it will be his turn to enjoy their company.

An enjoyable weekend which was quite quiet. We went out for a meal on Saturday night. When the taxi picked us up, he remembered us from previous forays down the Bay, which was nice. Went to Woods Brasserie, our first time there. Lots of young French staff with outrageous accents. Do they practice them? Is it some Inspector Clouseau style conspiracy? Do they stand in the back room together practising? Delicious food and an impressive wine list. I would recommend and would certainly go back there again. After the meal we went for a romantic evening stroll which was lovely but very, very cold so we toddled home and watched a DVD.

Inspecting the garden on Sunday, we now have three crocus flowers, and lots more in bud- wow!! Very happy and very impressed. Lots of other interesting spikes emerging - I love watching them grown and turn into flowers. On a less exciting note, did a huge pile of ironing. Ho hum.