The day started sunny and bright but soon clouded over, and it was cold today with temperatures at lunchtime of about 6C. The winter trees in the woods are looking lovely now, particularly the silver birches which seem almost purple from a distance. I noticed the daffodils near the woods are already coming up, much sooner than usual.

Both Gavin and Luke were working from home today so I walked Xena on my own. After our walk I went to the hairdresser so my hair is trimmed and all sorted for Christmas.

It's the lull before the storm, I am waiting for my Christmas food delivery first thing tomorrow morning and fingers crossed there will be no substitutions or things missing, because then it will entail a mad dash to the supermarket to get those missing items, and I suspect the supermarkets tomorrow morning will be so busy. Once I get everything I can start preparing some of the items for Christmas. I managed to find an Italian panettone at the local deli on the weekend as everyone prefers panettone to Christmas cake these days, it's much lighter. They also prefer stollen to mince pies, tastes change over the years and therefore I no longer make a Christmas cake.

I finished Day of the Jackal last night, it was so good no wonder it has been nominated for Golden Globe awards.