Late News

 I have just realised that I forgot to comment on the momentous arrival of Eloise Danielle into the world. Paul sent me a message from Connecticut late one night this week to inform me of the arrival and to provide some first-day photos of the beautiful little bundle snuggling up to Cathy. Micael and Emily (the parents) are doing well, and the grandparents are just moving into overdrive (which will last for years)! We are so pleased for them all.

I set a wakeup alarm this morning. Our plan was to complete yesterday's shopping before Sainsbury's got busy and before Ellie was due to be dropped off. We walked in the door at 08:00 and the shop was almost deserted. We were able to whizz around and collect everything that was left on our list from yesterday. By 09:00 we were back in the car and heading home.

Ellie was dropped off mid-morning. She is clearly a lot better. She had colour back in her cheeks and was full of beans. During the morning she helped Diane finish off some of the decorations and watched a lot of YouTube junk. At lunchtime, she settled down and asked if she could play chess with me. I was delighted that she wanted to play, but nervous because I hadn't played since my early teens. Could I even remember the rules?

The game went well and it took me about an hour to beat her, but in so doing, I showed her various moves that she could make to damage my attack. She took it all in and started to think independently. It was very much cat and mouse. When we finished, I went back to check some of the rules... (which I admitted during the game, had not been clear to me). Next time we play, we will adhere to the rules that I had missed... and no doubt, she will beat me. What a shame I have lost contact with Carl Spencer (Deep Blue); he would trounce me and teach Ellie properly.

This afternoon Ellie went and played with Maddie. We had some Kindle time until Diane had to take Jasper to the vet. 

With Ellie back here, we have just finished dinner and, if it stops raining, plan to go to the Salvation Army Carol Concert just along the road.

It stopped raining, so we strolled along to the next road and joined in the carols with the Salvation Army brass band, who had set up on someone's driveway.

We stayed out singing carols for about 45 minutes. Though there was quite a gathering, very few seemed to be joining in with the singing. We did our bit but seemed to be lone voices in the dark.

It was a nice little event and it provided an opportunity for the neighbours to get together.