INSIDE LOOKING OUT

Who would have a birthday in December? Birthday cards are swamped by Christmas cards, it is too cold to have a barbecue, a garden party, a picnic or a skinny dip and this year and 2010 the snow mucked up our plans. The Prof says he will swop his July birthday as he likes to be indoors anyway, and I might just take him up on it. Or could I be like the Queen and have an official birthday in June?

I shouldn't complain, really, I have had some wonderful birthday parties including some notable alfresco ones, like the pre concert picnic in Pollok Park (our teeth were chittering so much we could hardly eat the pie) or my 40th when half the party took place at midnight on top of a hill in West Kilbride.

And this one was brilliant too, although it was not as hoped at Loch Venachar as the owners were snowed in, but inside at Princes Square. At least there was a glimpse of the bonny blue sky. And weans singing carols. And the company was excellent. And the conversation rich. And I got my breakfast in bed and a wonderful phone call from my lovely Canadian granddaughter and my son and heir.

Most of all, it is just great to be still here, still healthy, still surrounded with lovely friends and family and still with worthwhile work to do. I've had an extraordinarily wonderful 62 years and I am so grateful. Better take myself off to bed before I get too mushy. Honestly, I never drank a drop of the evil liquor.