According to folklore an abundancy of holly berries was a sign that a hard winter was to come.

I am now getting a bit nervous.

There is a holly tree on the golf course that, as a family, we always used to visit.  At Christmas, we would cut off small branches of leaves with the berries, lug them home and decorate the house (a sprig over each picture, mostly). It was very pretty.  Anything left over would be used in elaborate and large table decorations created by mother.  One such decoration was placed on top of the family television whereupon it duly keeled over pouring water straight down the back of the TV set!  I remember we had to dry the tv out with hair-dryers so it would work on Christmas Day.  I don’t remember any explosions.

I must ask my sister if she remembers this too.

One of my jobs, while I am living at Mum’s house, is to empty the chest freezer in the garage.

Possibly around 10 years old (even more – I just don’t know), there are lots of unknown little containers of food that need to be thrown out.  Mum saved everything. I am not allowed to say hoarder but being brought up after the war, she wasted nothing.

So every day, I take six items, defrost them, and then put them out for the fox family, who are not looking bad on it.  In fact, I would go as far as saying one of them is very FAT!

Floss sent me these photos last night and I will confess that I burst out laughing.

They’re brilliant.

So snuggly and happy.

Someone is going to be a hairy-fairy…..

And someone else is still alive…. just!

Ted and I were met with fog this morning on our walk at 07:00.

But Ted and I have reached an agreement now.

Basically “bugger off, and I will do the walk without you”!

Taking photos as I go, obviously!

And, remarkably, Ted, so far, has stayed with me.  I have a bag of treats and if he a) comes when he’s called or b) arrives just because, then he gets a treat as well as lots of enthusiasm about his arrival and exemplary behaviour.

Today Ted met a cat on the golf-course and gave chase, albeit not very fast and the cat sauntered off.

If he does this to Monster, I full expect Monster to swiftly express his displeasure with a good swipe and hopefully Ted will learn this is not the behaviour we expect or encourage.

Monster doesn’t take prisoners.  Ever.

It was a beautiful still and quiet morning walk.

And guess what? Ted was home, waiting for me at the garden gate.

And yes, he got his well-done-for-going-on-a-dog-walk treat!

Today I am very tired.

I was up early having not slept most of the night.  Then in to see Mum for the morning and then back home.

After lunch, I drove over to the outskirts of Reading to a Chinese supermarket.

Floss and I visited here a few weeks’ back to have a mosey around.  We both love places like this and quickly discovered their dumpling and wonton section.  I have refilled the freezer and guess what’s for supper tonight!

I didn’t quite dare buy these, though. Actually now I wish I had been braver!

Apparently, everything is going along smoothly (or “controlled chaos” as OH described it) at home.  The weather is vile but Floss is nipping in and out putting rugs on and off Taktur and Haakon. I get regular updates and I am very grateful to everyone for all their efforts.

So gaozi, bath and bed for me.  I need some proper sleep.