The coldest day of the winter.

We get up at a quarter to seven again, but at least it is dry this morning when I let the dogs out into the garden, before making soft boiled eggs and soldiers for breakfast. The broadband is still down, so we stay in the kitchen and listen to the religious news, which has extensive coverage from Rome about the election of a new Pope, which I listen to, whilst I rinse my aubergines, dry them on a paper towel and then shallow fry some in olive oil. I have to leave half to cook later, as I need to take the dogs out before driving into town for ten thirty Mass. Although it is dry today, the easterly wind is much stronger and consequently it feels very cold, we reprise yesterday's walk and are all very glad to return to the warmth of the house. Norman is left in charge again and I drive to North Bar, but have to park a quarter of a mile further down from St. John's, as there are no parking spaces, as being Mothering Sunday, the church will be full. It is full, but I manage to find a pew near the back, on the left, and have time to say prayers for Huby Nana and Leslie, before the service begins. During the collection, we sing one of my favourite hymns, "Love Devine, All Loves Excelling", and after Father Roy's sermon, the children distribute daffodils to all the Mothers in the congregation. After the service Father Roy announces that the children making their first communion next Sunday, will be making their first confession on Wednesday evening and that any adults who wish to confess, will also be welcome. As I missed confession yesterday morning, due to taxi duties, I will come along on Wednesday, as part of my Easter duties. After Mass, I call in to see Sarah and the children, she has just made a full English breakfast for everyone and as they have finished eating, we retire to the front room, where Richard, Sarah's boyfriend for the last two years, puts a football program on the TV for Louis, while I chat to Sarah and Clement, who is going back to UCL tonight. Sarah leaves to shower and dress, before going to see Pip for Mother's Day with the children and I drive home, but first call at Tesco, as I forgot to buy more dog food yesterday. As soon as I get in, it is time to feed the dogs and despite the appetising smell of the vegetable chile, I decide to fast today. It seems to make sense to fast on days that I don't intend to swim, so this week that will be today and Wednesday, when I have Leslie's funeral to attend and won't be able to fit in any pool time. I am also out of oaties, so knock up a batch and then fry the rest of the Aubergines, which I store in the fridge, wrapped in kitchen towel, (along with the others from this morning) and then make a tomato and garlic sauce to accompany them in the food processor. I have a Turkish cookbook and fried Aubergine salad with tomato sauce is one of the many Mezze, (starters), in it. Later the spring cleaning continues, first the kitchen, including all the cupboards and then the bathroom. Finally I tidy the bedroom, but am too tired to vacuum, so the final task will be left until tomorrow morning. Around six o'clock, I feed the dogs, two tins for Teddy and one for Norman, before taking them for their evening walk, in a howling blizzard that is blowing in from the North Sea. The wind chill makes this easily the coldest day of the winter and my face is stinging when we get back and my glasses steam up the moment I cross the threshold into the warm air. For my evening snack I toast a whole meal pitta bread and eat this with a few slices of Aubergine and tomato sauce. It is quite delicious, the sweetness of the Aubergine contrasting with the acidity of the tomato sauce. The remaining slices are stored in a Tupperware container and the sauce in an empty ante pasta jar, that I washed out and saved for just this purpose. Later I read my book in the Garden Room, while outside the wind howls and occasional flurries of snow rattle against the window. Teddy sleeps in the cane chair opposite me again. To bed for ten.