13th November 2011

As the title suggests, the evenings are turning decidedly nippy. Winter is limbering up in the wings, ready to make its grand entrance. The wood burner is now crackling away most nights, but it’s not yet cold enough for the central heating; gas prices being what they are, we’d rather put on a thicker jumper and pretend it’s a fashion choice. Hopefully, this winter will be kinder than last year’s, which started all snowy and charming, but quickly became a chore. I remember vividly that the day Joan and Phil arrived from Italy was also the day the snow swept in, turning the driveway into an ice rink. They’re due back in the UK on the 28th of November; lovely people, just so long as they leave any bad weather behind in Tuscany.

Sad news from next door: our neighbour Peter passed away last week. He’d been unwell for some time, and after a recent stroke, the dye was sadly cast. While I didn’t know him well for most of the years we lived here, our families grew closer over the past year during his illness. His funeral is on Wednesday, and I’ve agreed to read a poem chosen by Doreen. Sue is helping with arrangements and is making a salad for the buffet, a practical contribution to go with the poetry.

On a lighter note, Jamie ordered a giant New York Cityscape mural for his apartment. Once it arrived, we set to work sticking it up. Four hours later, his lounge was transformed into something worthy of a Manhattan loft, minus the rent bill.

Friday afternoon saw Jamie, Charlotte, and me in Gumley Woods on our annual chestnut hunt. This year, we were squirrel-late to the party and had to rummage through a deep blanket of leaves for the few survivors that hadn’t been whisked away by the local wildlife. Still, we gathered enough to roast after that evening’s family curry night. Lucas was fascinated, happily peeling them and feeding his nan and grandad like some miniature chestnut butler. Suraj, finally free from the clutches of work, joined us for the first time in weeks and brought along a hard drive full of films to copy onto my media centre. Afterwards, Jamie gave him the grand tour of his newly wallpapered lounge before we all watched a video of my recent trip to Bulgaria.

Sarah, still away at university, rings at least once a week. This week’s call was particularly cheerful: her lecturer told her that her latest dissertation was the best they’d ever read on the subject. Not bad at all. Judging from her Facebook photos, she’s throwing herself into student life, dressing up, joining in team activities, and generally stockpiling enough stories for a future memoir.

Nan, meanwhile, is recovering from a particularly unpleasant mouth and throat infection (thrush). Sensibly, she’s keeping her distance from most people, though not from her weekly hair appointment or the odd trip to Rotherham for shopping.

Finally, David and Genya flew back to Bulgaria on Saturday. It looks like they’ll be staying through winter. Here’s hoping the Bulgarian weather gods are feeling generous.