The thick snow has now been replaced by a slow thaw and an endless fog and gloom. We head out in the morning for a very foggy drive to Thame (why do so many people, particularly in fog-coloured cars, drive with their lights off?). Emma finds some comfy shoes in the Clarks sale and I find a new stock pot which you can use both on the hob and in the oven for doing my cooking – I’ve been looking for one of these for ages – and then we hit Waitrose for a shop aimed at seeing us through the New Year to the end o of next week.

I am happy with the more than average total based on the fact that this shop is going to last for a week and a half and incorporates some moderate treats for the festive time. Not too bad at all.

I don’t really achieve much in the afternoon, but I do read some. This is good.