Blogtober Four

In a change to the advertised programme in this morning's schedules, the usual Rooks were replaced by Jackdaws and a few Rock Doves.

It is dreich outside, with persistent showers lasting through the day. All thoughts of a bit of gardening or a pleasant stroll have dissolved in favour of the cosy indoors. Megan's dad came over for the evening last night, as her mum is away south at a sisters' gathering. She's not taken religious vows (unless it is to imbibe red wine), rather she has three siblings. So this morning was quite a lazy affair as we eased ourselves into the day.

As lunchtime approached, the general consensus coalesced around eating something warm and nourishing. Megan was of the opinion that it was about time for homemade soup season to begin, and busied herself with producing a cauliflower and broccoli soup, which will last for several days. With a sprinkling of grated Cheddar cheese and black pepper, it was just what was needed.

Another sign of the year turning is jigsaw puzzle season, with half the dining table now allocated to the pastime. We do have so many jigsaws squirrelled away in cupboards, drawers and wardrobes, we should start a library. Even if we manage to complete all the new ones we didn't get around to last Winter, there's always an enjoyable puzzle to piece together again.

This evening, once the curtains are drawn and the heating is fired up for the first time since who knows when, we will gorge on some more of the stew (my contribution is to cook the rice) and then sit down to watch the last two episodes of Marble Hall Murders, the dramatisation of Anthony Horowitz's third and final Atticus Pund novel. Don't worry, no spoilers here.

I did notice on the BBC Weather website, this interesting sentence contained in an article on the likely general lowering of temperatures during the coming week:

"If the thermometer fails to reach 20C anywhere in the UK, it will be the first time that has happened since 11 June."

The good folk of Orkney will no doubt be surprised to learn that, save for about seven days in the past four months, they have not been resident in the UK.