Wednesday 13th Feb

Out to do the papers bright and early passing kids going to school, and it’s snowing. Flurries blowing down the streets and into the bag. Funnily enough it’s not that cold once I get going. It was much colder last week with the wind blowing on a clear day. I wasn’t expecting the snow first thing, having watched both the local and national weather forecasts last night. Strange how they never quite match up, and still leave you guessing as to which one to believe. I suppose the best advice is still to look out of the window in the morning, and that’s the weather.

Met a mate after who is gutting a house he’s bought. It’s quite strange going into a house with rubble all over the floors, ceilings removed, and plaster off the walls. It makes the house seem somehow smaller than it would if there was carpets, furniture, a kitchen! You realise how little there is to the framework, once you peel the decoration away. Though I suppose that could be a metaphor for lots of things in life.

We popped down to Mac’s for a coffee, and were rewarded with a view of two battleships getting fitted out in the local shipyard. I’d guess it might be the only Mac’s in the country with such a view.

The first day of Lent without chocolate has gone okay for me and Mrs P. Just a question of working out what snacks are now in play, though in truth I should have paid a bit more attention to what we bought in the supermarket on Monday. To be honest Mrs P seems more focused than me, and glad to be getting on with it, which is surprising as I’m only doing it to support her. Looks like my generosity is going to be my downfall again.

Yours regretfully

Jay