Monday 20th December 2021

It was a nice weekend. Usual tidy up, made some lists for the coming days and went for a couple of walks. I’m determined to get more walking done over the holidays. It will help with the dogs nails too. He usually just runs around the garden and the croft, but that's all soft ground. A good trot along the metalled road will keep them in check.

I had a really lovely zoom knit night on Sunday. I'm working on a pair of socks -concurrently, and also finally got round to casting on the front of my son's Saddler sweater. It calls for an Italian tubular cast on, and while it’s not difficult, it is a bit of a faff and I just wasn't in the mood. Anyway it’s done now, so plenty good tv knitting ahead. This is not a Christmas gift, so there's no pressure.

I went swimming this lunchtime. I met up with a couple of friends at a nearby beach. It was glorious - the sea was beautifully calm and a couple of seals were bobbing around too. It was cold, but for me, the whole point of swimming in winter is to embrace the feeling. I stayed (within my depth) for about 15 minutes, half swimming, half floating. It was magical.

Then, after a hot drink, it was back home, wee bite to eat, then off to pick up the boy and take him to his training. I dropped in to visit a friend to exchange presents and have a quick cup of tea.

Home again. That’s all the gym and training sessions done for the year, so a rest from driving home in the dark.

I’m starting to read The Dark is Rising, by Susan Cooper tonight - Midwinter Eve. I’m planning to read it in time with the events in the story.