Thaw

Such a beautiful morning, it was a shame to have to go to work. The hills looked so appealing, but their white coating would be of thick, frozen snow, making a run out of the question.

The exciting news of the day was that A and the girls went to a farm near Lockerbie, and have returned with a young Border Collie! A failed but chilled sheepdog, he's always lived out of doors, doesn't chase cats or sheep, hasn't barked and was happy to travel back loose in the car, so first signs are hopeful.

I visited Dad, who not so bad physically, except for his paralysed left leg. Unfortunately he can't be persuaded not to try getting out of bed, so he's hard work for the staff, Mum and me!