Breaking the Ice

This very clever blackbird had managed to find the only small space in our ponds that was not frozen solid, though he didn't appear to be getting much water each time.  I used our plastic heron to break the ice in both ponds, the first time it's ever come in useful for anything:-)

An afternoon spent wrapping presents, making up parcels to be posted tomorrow and writing some of the Christmas cards.  I even managed to persuade TJ to do his share, as most of "our" relatives are actually his!  The big shock will come when he takes the parcels to the Post Office in the morning and finds out how much they will cost to send:-)