I was out on my bike in the cold for six hours today, retreating inside every now and then to look at tiles and bathroom stuff, then a foray into a trade-only builders merchants because my builder had asked me what internal doors I wanted. As it's trade only they wouldn't tell me prices, but I was allowed to look at the doors, swing them on their hinges and finally walk out with a hefty catalogue.

I didn't know it was possible to spend so long on an industrial estate.

I spent the evening at my previous employer's Christmas party. I felt very honoured to have been invited and it was an absolute treat to see ex-colleagues and volunteers,