I scream

It's a terrible disaster at any time of year, but I was sad to witness such a sight so early in 2010. It's January and it's cold - who is selling ice cream? Perhaps it was home-made.

This blip was taken on my one trip out the door today. I walked to the garden centre for more cone-shaped willow structures to put in place of the dying fence. In time, these structures will form a fence of climbing plants. I also bought some primroses to add a bit of colour to the bare flowerbeds. I noticed that some of the spring bulbs are poking out shoots already. Hooray!

Then it was back to the flat to tackle the final things to shift out of the bedroom before the false ceiling is put in tomorrow. The bed came apart and was put back together relatively easily, and we still have space to swing the cat in the front room. That cat is looking very anxious with all the moving around that's happening, but I think he will like having the beanbag and the bed in the same place - a cat-sleep heaven has been created.

Back in the stripped-back bedroom and things look grim. it's obvious that the carpet has suffered mould and the walls are horrible with the bits of textured paint gathering dust that will not be shifted. Roll on redecorating!

A big whoopee for today, too - I completed my first tax return without too much frowning and cursing. I rang the nice, patient people at the helpline only twice.