Before the crash

"No Conor, not that one!"

Mr B arrived in France late last night, after a long drive through all kinds of awful weather in a slightly ropey convertible, stacked to the gills with the kids' Christmas presents, ski clothes and all manner of other stuff from Scotland we wanted to have here.

So we had a great relaxing family day today. After unloading the car, there was the inspection of dens, a long lazy outdoors lunch, then an afternoon of playing games (trivial pursuit which, since it was the kids' edition, we absolutely whooped them at; chess and jenga). Meanwhile I'd rustled up a fine roast lamb dinner with probably my best gravy yet. And orange surprise cake for pudding.

The afternoon indoors was only possible because it was raining too much after lunch for the kids to go out. Sometimes rain is good. But it can stop now.