Yesterday, went over to Busy Bees to select fabric for my second quilt. Classes start this week. Very exciting. Took the young master with me, as the quilt is likely to go on our bed. We selected a palette of lilacs and apple greens, with a variety of six different prints that will be used for blocks and background. As the shop is at Tredegar House, thought we would combine with a dog walk. Order of activities was disrupted slightly when our arrival in the car park coincided with a ferocious hailstorm. We had just got the dogs out of the car, who normally at that point are tugging us eagerly when quite spontaneously they both jumped straight back into the boot and left us in no doubt that they would not be walking in the hail. Fortunately this was of short duration and then we were able to resume our walk. Not surprisingly, not many people, rabbits or squirrels. Iwas able to road test two new purchases from Lands End after much dithering. A pair of Extreme Squall boots (who the hell thinks up these names?)and an Extreme Squall jacket - ggaaaahhh. Toe curling just to write. Perhaps these names work for Americans.

Anyway, the jacket is a model of snuggliness and water proofing with a Goretex type outer (although not Goretex, but something similar), so many pockets I am still uncovering new ones, fleece lining and all sorts of zips, flaps, toggles, velcro bits and a hood of Sith Lord coverage. It is humbling to reflect that Captain Scott went to the South Pole with less garment technology. Anyway, the boots are similar with fleece lining, toggled laces and lots of cleats so that I can navigate tree roots, puddles and mud with equanimity. They are also a very cheerful fire engine red colour.

This morning, went to the park, again armed with new clothing. Woofs enjoyed themselves as did we. Returned home to bacon sandwiches, Sunday paper, and the last of the Christmas coffee, which smells divine. Just doing some leisurely domestic pottering, which is all I feel capable of, and the young master is about to embark on a run. His next scheduled public appearance is the Valentines PPK Love Run - keen readers may recall he entered this last year but it was cancelled owing to snow. He is now officially in race preparation mode. I will be downloading some pictures later so may post them.