The weather wasn't all bad, we enjoyed a lovely walk in warm sun along the banks of the Dordogne. The 'Verglas frequent' (often black ice) sign was true later in the week.

Isn't the weather funny? We did escape for the later flight with a very hairy transfer at Gatwick thanks to delays at security. I have no concern about the extra security precautions, but BAA must have enough staff to cope. The queues were twice round the check in desks on Thursday night and only two belts operating - two hours to get through. The security staff would not take responsibility, nor the airline and each blamed the other. In the end the Inverness passengers did a charge to the front and ran for all we were worth. With thanks to anyone who let us through........... Not good for the blood pressure. Return to a balmy 7 degrees in Inverness - how strange!

Snow

Having got up at 6.30am for the early flight, we are faced with 4 inches of lying snow. No-one driving anywhere right now, and we decide it is too risky to set off. Hopefully things will clear a bit and we can catch the later flight.

A France!

1. Up at 4.45 is not the best start to the day, especially when it is blowing a gale and only 2 degrees c. Arriving at 17.00 in Bordeaux after the long wait at Gatwick (thank goodness for knitting to fill some time) we arrive to a calm 16 degrees - it is another world. We do a quick shop, get unloaded have a quick and simple dinner and off to bed, pretty exhausted.
   
   Wake up refreshed today and see how things look in the daylight; the garden is pretty tidy and all is quiet and calm here on a Sunday morning. There has been a little rain, but is has now brightened up.
   
   After lunch we do a wee tidy in the garden, cut back the roses and top up the bed with bark. Our pots are looking sad and these are emptied out on the compost heap. Our neighbours say hello and explain there was a really hard frost a month ago - all the laurels were bent over with it. Madame hands over two freshly cooked crepes over the fence - how kind folk are here.

Dreams of summer knitting................

Although we have had sleet showers today here, thoughts of warmer days were heralded by a delivery from Rowan of their summer catalogue and shade cards for new yarns. These look really lovely - the nicest from the Rowan stable in a long time. Lots of lovely new books, including a new one for Summer Tweed - one of my favourites.

By co-incidence Ian from Designer Yarns came tonight with all the new Noro, Debbie Bliss and Louisa Harding summer stock. Lots of lovely new yarns here too and some excellent patterns.

Elton tickets go on sale next week and are £40 each. We won't be around as we are heading off to France for a few days. Maybe if there are some left when we get back??

Sir Elton John to play in Inveness

Wow! Hot news from Tracy in Prestwick that Sir Elton is to play at the the Inverness Caledonian Stadium as part of the Year of Culture on 15th July. Off to investigate the price of tickets....

Hamish's Birthday cardi

Hamish, my friend and colleague, Isabel's little boy. He was 3 on 15th January, and there has been a bit of pressure to get the cardi finished in time. By a stroke of luck H & I have been away in London and the cardi is now wrapped and ready to to hand over on Thursday when Isabel gets back to work.

It has turned out rather well, it is the checkerboard pattern from Debbie Bliss, in green merino aran with lovely Rowan metal buttons. I think it will suit Hamish's colouring and auburn hair really well.

I can now turn attention to the current WIP - a cable tank top for my daughter Tracy - who did a spot of 'commissioning' when she was here at Christmas. The colour will suit her vey well, although I do want to escape green knitting soon!

One of the members of the French theatre group entertaining the large crowd ahead of the aerial display.

One of the 'monsters' of thr street theatre- these were more Dr Who than Loch Ness!

More of the firework display.

Launch of Highland City of Culture 2007 - 12 January

Fantastic firework display at Inverness Castle on Friday to launch the Year of Highland Culture 2007.

After a day of gales and rain, there was a window on the weather and a spell of calm. We cycled in to the city and joined the large crowd to await the launch.