On Saturday went to Jessops and bought a new camera battery. Of course, immediately I did that, the weather turned and it has been very wet, misty and windy and therefore completely unsuitable for photos. Hmmm.

We went out on Saturday night to jointly celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary and Andrew's birthday. We went to Le Gallois which is one of (if not the) favourite restaurants. Had a delicious meal, with fine wine and people watching which is always an enjoyable pastime when out. The service there is excellent; unlike some other restaurants, they have not skimped on the staff/customer ratio, which means the service is prompt, efficient and friendly and never feels stressed even when the place is really busy. I like some of the details there too - the cutlery, which is an unusual design, the napery which always feels good in the hand, the bread (lots of good flavours) even the chairs are comfortable. The only thing which I can ever find to criticise is that the accoustics (like in many modern restaurants) mean that when it is busy, the noise level makes it difficult to have an intimate conversation. Sound seems to bounce round the room. Interestingly, the taxi driver who picked us up to take us home asked what we thought of it, and we responded very positively. He was telling us that he had not yet had a negative comment about it from any of his fares. That must be quite unusual for a restaurant.

Also on Saturday went to the fabric shop for a look in daylight at the sashing fabric to be used on my quilt. This week, the homework has been to finish a block of fans - scary curves and to make another block which should be easier featuring triangles. Fabric selection went well- have a pretty blue to act as the relief to the blocks with an outer border of a lovely cream fabric featuring a delicate print of roses and butterflies, similar to the highlight fabric used on the blocks. I also bought what is called a "jelly roll" of pre-cut patches to make up a patchwork quilt after Christmas which I am going to make as a gift for a special friend's birthday.

Sunday was the annual Greyhound AGM. Hounds were welcome - so off we went up the A470 to Cilfynydd above Ponty, taking the Aberfan turnoff and then coming back along the old road. We walked the woofs first so hoping to enhance their behaviour and in fact I was very pleased in general with them. One of the local ladies had made a huge cauldron of cawl, and before I could say no had brought over two bowls for us. I'd had a late breakfast before leaving home so was not hungry. Andy was eyeing it keenly especially when Andrew was slurping his. My initial thoughts were not to let Andy and Booty have any, but the lady who made it had a huge soft spot for Andy as she used to walk him often when he was up in kennels, and made a massive fuss of him when we arrived. She therefore didn't seem to mind a bit when Andy and Booty shared a bowlful with great enthusiasm. We were all in the huge function room of the inn, and the temperature was freezing! We got colder and colder as the meeting went on. Both Andy and Booty were commandeered as mobile portable hot water bottles. Andy did well as he was sitting on Andrew's lap, with his head and neck stretched out and his cawl lady stroking his head on the other side. It was quite funny to look round the room and see various hounds and lurchers being cuddled and snuggled in a variety of positions. The meeting went very well and finished about three so we were all very glad to get back in the car and get warm. Came home and Andrew made a lovely casserole of beef in Guinness with some roasted beetroots on the side and sprouts. Warming and delicious.

One of the unexpected spinoffs of Andrew's early morning departures for his clients is that I generally find it very difficult to get back to sleep for a short time and find myself getting up early. This morning it was 6, so I was in the park with the woofs by 7.30. One of the benefits is the wonderful bird life to be observed and enjoyed at that time. This morning, as it got light I watched a buzzard at very close quarters and usually have a grandstand view of a couple of herons. The buzzard was amazing up close - normally you only see them from below, with that very distinctive "fingered" wing shape. It was a real treat to see it perching just in front of me on a low tree branch before flying off.