Red Nose Dog.

Dinner with A this evening, after an unpleasant day at work. A project I thought I'd be working on fell through, and it feels personal (it shouldn't, but sometimes it can't be helped). Anyhow, it was lovely to head home after work, change into something slouchy and comfy and drive out to Inchmarlo with M. When we got there, A's son F was toddling around happily in his too-long sleeper suit, looking gorgeous with a big grin and bouncy curls. I'd brought him a dino-roar from the other night, and he didn't seem too interested, so I gave it to one of the dogs instead. Diesel thought it was great, and herded it into his bed like a puppy - then growled at anyone who wanted to take it away! As soon as Diesel laid claim to it, F was desperate to have it for himself... Cue tears before bedtime - all my fault.

After F had been given his milk and tucked up in bed, we all sat down to dinner; A had made a lovely veggie sausage casserole which was perfect for a night like tonight - snow battering against the windows and wind howling down the chimney. We spoke weddings (A's is in 14 months) and about friends moving away (two of A's friends have emigrated to Australia this month).

When we started to get sleepy, M drove us back home... Lovely evening, we should visit friends during the week more often.