The presentation

At 11.30 this morning the old mayor gets presented with his medal for 38 years of service. His father was mayor before him and his grandfather before that. For all I know his great grandfather might also have been mayor. The village hall has been set up with a hundred or so seats. These are all closely packed together. A sign has been sellotaped onto the front door with the admonition that 'Masks must be worn'. With case numbers soaring we will 'circulate' when people gather outside and then quietly slip away. This will hopefully combine the etiquette of sharing in his big day while avoiding danger. The plan requires the rain to ease off. We have our fingers crossed.

It's bitterly cold outside.  The rain has that strange frigid consistency that tells you it can't decide whether it wants to stay rain or turn into snow. Sophie wanders into the kitchen to suggest that Angus finish off his coffee so that we can go for a long, leisurely walk across country.  Angus looks out of the window at the grey skies and sleet and informs his shaggy companion that there are reasons people have C-A-T-S. Sophie choses to ignore this.

There is yet more non-verbal communication as Angus puts on his shoes . Sophie settles down on the hall floor with a loud harrumph that hints at irritation. ' Get a move on ! The best of the day awaits ! '.

Post walk Sophie is toweled rigorously dry. I head off to change my trousers which are soaked through. This morning the strong wind has driven the downpour horizontally so my knees are drenched. The PONette seems completely untroubled by these frigid conditions.

When I come back downstairs the family diva has made the executive decision to fall into a deep and supremely happy sleep. Sausage Dog has been savaged and then discarded. There can be no doubting that this PON girls life is filled with high adventure.

Advent already ! Where did the year go ? By my reckoning it should be mid-February not the end of November This morning a parish church in Sweden starts it's  socially distanced Advent celebrations with a no nonsense light the candle and sing approach . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFkm62IFF_Q