Winter walk.

The first 'normal' day of the year and I wasted no time in telephoning our hoover manufacturer to discuss the obvious design fault with the clip on the telescopic tube which has broken more times than I have been able to keep track of. They refused to take on board my suggestions but agreed to send me a replacement tube, so a partial victory (although a short lived one, I suspect).

The afternoon was a rather more civilised affair as we met D, S and J for a wander in Dunham Park. It was a very-well-walk which the boys loved and there was much splashing in muddy water and general larking about.

This stream was near the end of the walk and I was struck by the intensity of the colour in the plants that were emerging above the water. They seemed to be far too mature for this time of year.