The days are lengthening...

Sandy, with a false nose!

We have long since past the shortest days of winter, and the sun is beginning to get a little warmer. Today, the temperature reached 13C outside, which is admittedly rather mild for February here. Our conservatory temperature reached 24C for a while around lunch time and early into the afternoon, meaning that it has again taken on the role of heater for the whole of our downstairs! Of course, not every day is like that yet, but I imagine that by the time we reach the end of March, it will be heating the house well enough for the central heating not to be needed much at all again.

Anna and Olivia in the woods, today.


Olivia, talking to Baboushka in St Petersburg, on the phone.

Sandy and Olivia are growing fast. Sandy has started writing his first book! Yes, he announced he was going to write a book the other night, and produced a jotter that he had been given at school for this. So, we sat down and talked about what the story might be about. He was fairly clear in his mind about it all, so he wrote the first page a couple of nights ago! Tonight, we wrote and illustrated the second page. Not bad for a lad who only started school 6 months ago! His story is about a Robin that lays 6 eggs, one of which turns out to be smaller than the rest, and doesn't hatch when the others do...


Above and below, in the woods today.


Meanwhile, Olivia's speech is improving well now. She has begun to start putting sentences together and her vocabulary is becoming more advanced all the time. She still isn't sleeping through the night though- which can be a bit depressing for (especially)Anna, and me.



Sandy, reciting his Robin Redbreast poem, by J K Annand.