No rain, no leaks, drips, soggy dogs etc., just freezing cold and brilliant sunshine! GLorious!

It is also perishing cold. My fingers can barely type, the car battery has died and the road is like a sheet of ice (no corporation gritting lorries up here yesterday.)

The garden is covered in ice, like something out of a fairy tale. And if it stays fine Mr Penry says he will put up the rest of the Christmas lights either today or tomorrow.

On the down side there is talk of a petrol blockade - which wouldn't bother me except we have a wedding next week...Can see us sledging down the A470 now, pulled by 3 unruly St Bernards and a Bassett.

Actually I have tried suggesting this to the dogs - the boys are up for it but Florence said only two words (and the second was 'off'). So it's just 2 unruly St Bernards and a Bassett then....

Now there's a thought...