Rain rain go away…

One of those days you would rather forget – nothing to do that could possibly inspire or motivate. Just grey and wet and windy and cold. A real January winter day.

Not much happening

While I went off to spend the day teaching Stephen tackled the wet plasterboard which had to be removed after damage caused by a burst pipe. The pipe had already been repaired by the plumber but the ceiling needed replacing which brought back memories from near two years ago when we put it up in the first place. Luckily the Grange isn’t too wet and hasn’t seemed to have suffered much water damage from the catastrophic recent cold weather.

We managed a walk just before the sun set which was between 6.30 and 7pm. How nice it is to feel that the days are drawing out. Avalanche chased a pair of quails. We live in hope of her bringing something back each time we take her out having profited from her capture of a magnificent male pheasant.

Bruno’s Bistro and The New American President

Today we staved off the winter blues with a visit to what is fast becoming our favourite lunch spot – Bruno’s Bistro in Saint Savin. Stephen, having just returned from performing with the 'City of London Sinfonia' at the Cartegena International Music Festival in Columbia, South America, was hankering for some Froggie nosh, whilst I was determined to have an outing having spent what has felt like several weeks snowbound in our remote rural hamlet. While Stephen basked in 35 degree tropical climes we here in La Faye endured minus 12 temperatures that caused burst pipes, huge inconvenience and general frozen misery. The first lovely snowfall – that quiet beauty and stillness – quickly turned to ice, causing the lane leading from our house to become lethal and pipes to freeze and burst. While Stephen saw sloths and Iguanas and toucans of many varied beautiful colours I saw one colour only – and that was red.

However, a good meal can sooth even the most savage breast and indeed Bruno came up trumps. A salad composed of fine fresh leaves, pine kernels and sesame seeds was garnished with slices of his own house-smoked haddock. Very tasty indeed. For main course we sampled an excellent confit de canard with fried potatoes and broccoli. Dessert – a rich combination of vanilla, meringue and caramel icecream bathed in a thick caramel and chocolate sauce. Scrumptious.

After teaching tonight at the laboratory I look forward to coming home and watching coverage of the inauguration of the incoming President of The United States - Mr Barack Obama. Along with millions of other fans and supporters we wish this new President much luck and grace and sit quietly in awe that such a defining, inspiring and hopeful event has passed within our lifetime.