Our daughter was back to work today, and the grandchildren had an extra day off school due to teacher training day, so it was up and out for an early start.
I got out of bed just after 6.30 a.m. it was a clear morning, so I stepped outside while the kettle boiled, and the stars were absolutely marvelous,I spent a couple of minutes just looking up!
We got ready and went down to our daughters house, so that the boys could finish their lie in, but the younger one was already awake. the daughter went off to work, and the younger one had some breakfast, and then Euan, Lacey (the dog)and myself set off for a local beauty spot. Euan on his bike, Lacey and me on foot.
We walked off the estate, away from roads Lacey was let off the lead, and she kept up with Euan on his bike.
After about a mile and a quarter, we got to the most pleasurable part of the walk.
We shared the banks of the lake with a few other people, but nothing like the amounts of last week, as people were now back at work.
Not satisfied with cycling, Euan wanted to play on the park equipment, and soon ended up on the excellent adult training equipment.
We continued, and finally got close to home, and Euan asked if he could ride on ahead as he definatly knew his way home from here. Itwasstraightforward from her, and so I told him to ask Nanny to put the kettle on for a cup of tea, which was very welcome after our three and three quarter mile ride/walk.
Henry had just got up when we got in, he had coffee with us and we decided to go to a local carvery for lunch (cheap and cheerful but Euan loves it) and we all tucked in with a gusto.
Upon returning home, Chris did some ironing and watched t.v., the boys watched dvd's in their rooms, and the dog was absolutely out for the count.
That's the way to leave 'em!

A horrible day today for the people returning to work after the Season's break. No such activity for me as I'm retired, so the wind and the rain didn't bother me other than I'd have liked to have been outside doing something rather than sat inside catching up on t.v..
The rain cleared about 11.30, so I fetched the emptied dustbin back into the garage where it is kept for refilling. I thought that this was going to be the highlight of my day, but when my wife produced lunch, and told me she had used the last of the Christmas goodies, I was overjoyed to sit down to scrambled eggs with smoked salmon crumbled in, on toasted chiabatta bread. where have these eggs been hiding all over the holiday I asked? I thought I was going to have to duck, or have 2 helpings of lunch, but it was a double wind up and we settled down to enjoy the lunch.
A little more t.v., then we decided to visit our sister in law which was very nice, and waylaid the cabin fever.
Home, realised that the International Space Station (ISS) was due to pass at 17.36.57 So I went outside' looked west and there it was right on cue. I watched this for about 4.5 minutes (amazing they can tell me to the second when I can see it but I can only speculate on my observing time.It never ceases to amaze me that there are seven people working, sleeping, eating and living on board the ISS. The website that I use to gain information on satellite passes and other interesting data is www.heavensabove.
Then back indoors to curry and rice, washing up, more t.v...........
Roll on tomorrow, no dustbin to move.

Nice surprise this morning as I walked in from feeding the birds in the garden, our daughter and seven year old grandson visited with their dog.After a cup of tea, and sorting out term times for the two boys schools, we enjoyed a lunch together. All that is except for poor Lacey, who has a food allergy, which was sorted, but the product being used has been withdrawn, and daughter is trying to sort out a new diet regime for her.After lunch daughter had to see a friend at her own home, so we got the grandson's bike and the dog and went for a walk in very pleasant though a little cold winter sunshine. Many other people had the same idea as us.Back home, fed and hay turned and having a relaxing evening. I feel a beer or two coming on.

Happy new year. Here we go, have it all to do again in 2012.

Last year ended well after a bereavement early in December (brother in law).

2012 started well with a new years day walk with my wife Christine, visited my sister and her husband on the way home, had lunch and then just chilled out at home.

Made and received phone calls, watched t.v., did some puzzles.