Luke and Xena

Luke and Meriel only managed to get to us late last night as Luke was finishing off work for a Monday deadline and Meriel had a busy day in Oxford in the library. Meriel is doing her masters degree at Oxford University (part time) and it is all quite stressful and very demanding trying to juggle work and her studies.

This morning Gavin, Luke and I went for a walk with Xena - Meriel stayed home to work on her studies. It was so dull and grey with not a glimmer of bright light all day. We are now entering the worst part of our winter, when the days are so short. As the summer holidays come to an end in August, we usually enjoy mild, sunny weather in September and October, and so far November has also often been sunny and mild. However next week it is getting much colder and we then limp along to Christmas, enjoying the coloured Christmas lights for some artificial cheer. January is usually the coldest month but we are starting to see spring bulbs, and then by February we are noticing the lengthening days and we get optimistic about the forthcoming spring. 

Gavin and Luke are busy watching the rugby - Gavin supporting SA, Luke and I supporting England! Adam should be arriving here later to change into his 1970's outfit and then get the train to London for a themed birthday party - I am sure that people on the train will notice his purple 70's disco suit!

For lunch I made butternut soup which was perfect for a grey day. We are going out for supper at an Indian restaurant tonight, it has excellent food and of course many veggie and vegan choices.