On alert

The day started in a muddle - I couldn't find my work pass at home, but discovered it somewhere unlikely before I was too late for work. I then tried to pay for the bus using my pass rather than my Oystercard. There was tutting. Luckily, I found my Oystercard quickly so I didn't hold up the bus for more than a couple of seconds.

I enjoyed the rest of the day, which was busy, and there was sunshine at lunchtime. This pigeon watched me eat my sandwich. He was very attentive and did manage to snaffle a tiny bit of avocado that escaped the wrapping.

Around 2.30, my desk buddy started making "ahem"-type noises. I was concentrating very hard on an index about castles so I didn't respond immediately. My senses suddenly pricked and I looked up at my desk buddy, who was looking at me with a smile. I saw several other colleagues standing behind him, also looking at me and, to my right, the rest of the team hovered and Di carried a shiny parcel. The yearly birthday humiliation was upon me (11 days early, but my birthday's at an awkward, non-working time). I tried not to go beetroot and babble too much as I opened my presents, which are marvellous - a lovely tweed blanket and some paperclips in the shapes of bicycles. Perfect! I'm very pleased that I'm now old enough to be given a blanket to cover my knees at work. I confess that I've used it already and it's very toasty.

I braved Oxford Street this evening and it was fine. I still don't understand the Marmite Christmas lights. The wee boy being sick into a Santa hat is just not festive.