49 days

What keeps you going at this time of year? Magnificent sunrises and counting down the days until the winter solstice (49). Yesterday was the first time I really felt the early closing in of darkness. The feeling that I won't be cycling home in the light for 3 or 4 months (and soon might well be cycling in in the dark if I have to go in early). November is truly dark: I was standing outside New College looking down over the National Galleries thinking that at least in December there will be light and colour and noise down there for the winter festival. However it's difficult to imagine how they will fit it around the mess on Princes Street this year.

Off to London this lunchtime. Oh joy.