Junior arrived mid-afternoon and promptly disappeared to his friend's, returning to be fed at the appointed hour.

Excellent dinner cooked by yours truly (and eaten by Junior!). He complained slightly about the garlic and the "woody bits" (thyme), but was quite happy when assured that neither is poisonous. We had pheasant breasts cooked with baked apples and fried potatoes with garlic, pancetta & rosemary. Not your typical Scottish mush, but thats us...

I got a good book via Amazon (arrived yesterday, just in time for the festivities) which has been a godsend for today (after it got dark at 3.30). It is very witty. About what parents do/have to do if their kids play ice hockey.