Blue

I got up early and drove to Kingston to buy some trousers. You have to get there early, it's one of those places that descends into middle class savagery once the car parks start filling up; hell hath no fury like two Surrey drivers disagreeing over spaces in the Bental Centre multi storey. I was in fact well early; the roads and the car parks were deserted so I had a pleasant three hours before it all got a bit bad karma, of the post Christmas sales variety.

Driving along the Thames towpath at Sunbury and Hampton Court was lovely; a golden early sun and a mist amongst the houseboats made everything quite magical. I had a quick walk by the river but my god it was cold. This boat was moored up above Kingston bridge and the colours and the frost struck me as chillingly beautiful. Not a day for falling in the water ...

I was successful in the trouser mission. And a couple of shirts as well. Had a fantastic cup of coffee in Local Hero which is a lovely little independent and award winning coffee shop (see extras). Seriously nice people. Not too sure about Obama Burgers though (again see extras). Looks like they are cashing in on a certain famous name ...

When I came home TSM, The Dizzle and I went for lunch in a local Italian where the food was good but I berated them for still having the Christmas music on. I got a sigh from the waitress and a whispered "tell me about it - I've told the boss but he won't listen".

Afternoon and early evening were spent trying to master the rules of Istanbul - took us an hour and a half just to unpack it and set up the board so we are leaving actual game play for tomorrow. It's all about running around the Turkish capital and filling up your wheelbarrow with rubies. Or something like that. Gorgeous to look at and apparently very good to play once you have spent three years mastering the rules and been awarded your degree. 

Going to watch a bit of an old movie now then crash. In a warm bed. With an electric blanket. And no frost this side of Kingston ...