Fairisle for Rebecca and a new coat for Norman

We arise earlier this morning, out of bed by seven O' clock, I still didn't sleep well, but there again, I ate a large meal late in the evening. It is still dark, as I let Normy into the garden, there has been no more snow overnight but it is still crisp and cold outside, a few stars still twinkle in the sky and the first hints of dawn lighten the sky to the east. I make breakfast for us, but my appetite is somewhat diminished, so Normy and I share a sausage and some bacon, black pudding and egg. My annual winter curse, catarrh, has returned, probably a consequence of falling off the wagon, with regards to the over consumption of alcohol and processed carbohydrates. A period of strict observance of my recovery diet is probably overdue. After breakfast, I make a list of all the things I need to do, and then phone Felicity to arrange to collect the winter coat she has so kindly bought for Norman, with snow on the ground, the old boy will be grateful for the gift. We arrive just after nine, and the coat, which is fleece lined and in blue, fits him like a glove. I give Fliss the poster of Van Eyck's annunciation and the booklets from both exhibitions, and then we extemporise a poem, entitled, "I hate my fxxxxing rollator", and collapse in fits of laughter. The Westwood's mud has frozen iron hard from the severe frost and Normy, snug as a bug in a rug, in his new coat, runs off into the woods. We do a shorter walk today, only staying out for an hour, a pale lemon sun shines weakly through low clouds and the landscape is transformed into black and white, punctuated by the redness of the hawthorn berries and occasional holly. A nithering North wind searches out gaps in my clothing, and shrinks the skin close to the bones of my face, but the winter landscape, though austere, retains it's beauty. After dropping the dogs off in Cherry, Norman and I drive back to town and park outside Sarah's house, I leave him in the car and then walk through North Bar to the bank, to get some money. Our branch of Lloyds has been selected to be transferred to the Coop, as part of the EU regulation, following their acquisition of HBOS. It is the best news from the bank in years and the staff seem pleased about it too. Armed with cash, I go shopping for Rebecca's birthday present and find a matching fairisle, hat, scarf and gloves set, in a pink pattern, with a fleece lining for winter. Next door is a shop called "Paper Chase", that has beautiful art cards, that I prefer to use for birthdays, rather than the usual cliched rubbish. Then it is on to the Library to collect Cormack McCarthy's "The Orchard Keeper", before a quick haircut at Tim's. On our way home I collect my shoes from the cobblers and arrive back in Tickton for a quarter to one. Norman is still asleep on the back seat, so I carry him into the house and gently remove his winter coat, which he seems to really appreciate. Lunch is a déjà vu, of braising steak, potatoes, greens and swede and carrot mash again, but coming in from the cold, it hits the spot, and we both clear our plates. After washing up, I meditate for an hour and then make tea and wrap Rebecca's presents in some exquisite Chinoiserie lining paper from the V&A, that I bought on eBay. I also pack the coloured paper, scissors and glue, as Laura is usually happy doing creative things with me, Norman is standing by the door, wagging his tail, so I wrap him in his new coat and take him with me. En route to Sam's I collect my prescription from the pharmacy and arrive dead on time at half past four, following Sam and Laura into the house. Rebecca arrives moments later from her school bus, I give her the presents and cards, which she unwraps and seems to like, but then goes off to play on her Nintendo DS, after first giving Normy a pat. Rebecca is autistic, but I know she will appreciate the present, when she wears it in the cold. Sam tells me she will have to leave at five, in about twenty minutes, as Laura has a photography session at the leisure centre with her Gym Club. It is much easier, and more sensible, for me to take Laura, rather than drag Rebecca out into the cold again. We duly arrive at five, only to find the session is not until five thirty, so I buy Laura dinner in the cafe. The photo shoot goes on for an hour, but Laura and her friends enjoy the get together and I sit with the other Mum's and Dads and watch proceedings through a large plate glass window. I drop Laura back home at a little before seven, collect Norman and drive home again. A text from Hahne, tells me that tickets for the Royal Ballet's "Nutcracker", at Kingswood have sold out, but a bit of research shows it is also being telecast to the Odeon in Hull and I manage to buy tickets online for everyone. When I tell Felicity, she is delighted. A light meal of Camembert and sourdough bread and then an early night, as I am taking Louis to school in the morning.