Vera Macdonald

My pal Jim the Painter has been here and my old bedroom, now the double guest room, is a completely different, new shade of white. It looks good and best of all, all the wee cracks are filled and painted over. Also had a mega shopping spree with Linda and Mary when we all bought stuff but the most remarkable for me is a frock – I bought a frock. Not yet sure wheter I’ll keep it.

I was planning to head up north to visit the ‘golden oldies’ but my plans have been scuppered again by snow. Just a slight covering here but a good few inches up north, so not good for taking them out to visit each other. I’ll try again later this month.

I had a fab time and wandered around in familiar (Covent Gardens) and less familiar (Spittalfield Market) areas. Spent a whole, rainy day in Tate Modern and did the tour so I ahd some idea what the weird and wonderful artworks are about. Here are some snaps of less usual London.

Only umbrellas

John Betjeman in St Pancras

Tate Modern's neighbours

I’m heading to London on Wednesday for a few days, so I hope to have lots of interesting photos and things to post when I get back next week sometime. I’ve nearly finished my filing at work, so I’m getting into that ‘not working’ mode. So far, so good.

I got a new microwave yesterday, chosen not for its green credentials or its price, but for its size, the smallest available, and of course for its good looks in my fabby kitchen. Note the Warhol tea towel in the bottom corner, and the brightness in the top corner. The bulb went weeks ago but we couldn’t work out how to remove it and here we are 2010 and it’s working again – it’s a sign, I’m sure it is!

Shiny new microwave for 2010

It’s minus 3, my road is a sheet of ice and I’m at home, toasty warm with total disregard for the planet or my gas bill, so I’m happy. I wish everyone all the very best for 2010.