Day 325. 100,000 on the clock.

My little car clocked 100,000 miles today. I could see the big number approaching and hoped I'd be able to pull over as it ticked over from 99,999. The photo a day gods were clearly smiling down on me. Not special to look at but it's been a trusty vehicle all the same. I wonder how many more miles we'll travel together?

Day 324. Notes from a small isle.

That's Bill Bryson. I was lucky enough to get tickets to hear him talk about life in general and his new book One Summer in the glorious surroundings of Ely Cathedral. My friend Jane, as usual, pulled a blinder and found us front row seats also placing us directly in front of the book signing table.

If you're a Bryson fan you can imagine he's as charming and funny when he speaks as when he writes. I'll forever remember listening to the audio book of Notes from a Small Island as I drove home to Liverpool. At the end of the M62, I pulled up at the lights just as the narrator read "I arrived in Liverpool to find they were holding a festival of litter." Glancing right there were indeed a number of crisp packets and sweet wrappers dancing in the wind. I smiled, home is home and us Scousers learn at an early age to smile and wave at the criticism.

Bill had been asked to add an extra dimension to his talk by introducing some slides but after 10 minutes of frustrated clicking he admitted defeat and did what he does best; engaged the audience.

We were first in the queue to have our books signed and I even had my photo taken (fan girl). Top night and not a piece of litter in sight.

Day 323. St Paul and David.

Frantic day making last minute preparations for a client event. The venue is near St Paul's which is always a joy especially as the evening draws in. Then a late train home with the lovely David for company on iPlayer. Swoon.*

*There's no gin in that orange. I suspect I'm overtired. But he is a beaut. Again, swoon.

Day 322. Battered or flattered?

At the gym tonight, one of the TAs from Bea's pre-school was on the treadmill next to me. I smiled. She smiled politely. I smiled again and she looked properly then finally said hello. Later on when neither of us were sweating our way through another workout I went over to say hi properly and she admitted that she hadn't recognised me immediately and thought maybe I was someone she was at school with. Given the fact she's at least 10 if not 15 years younger than me, I'll take that as a compliment! I think most days I look battered, today though I'm feeling pretty flattered. Is it ok to eat a bag of chips now?

Day 321. In a flash.

There she goes. Another Sunday, another cross country race. Quicker than her last race but still tears at the end. Gotta admire her fighting spirit and her desire to improve but we need some perspective. Time for a Team Honeybone pep talk I think. If I can catch her.

Day 320. If you can't beat 'em.

Ely Cathedral knows how to host a Christmas market. Beautiful stalls, exquisite decorations and choral music. Heavenly. Even managed to join Bea and buy quite a few Christmas presents: silk scarves, beautiful hand made coasters and several items that are for me...

The only thing missing was a glass of mulled wine but I was driving. Also it was the middle of the day. Oh, and it's only November. I've been sucked in. It's not Christmas yet!!!

Check it out next year if you're in the area.

Day 319. 'Tis the season... hold on, not yet.

And so it begins.

November marks the start of the Christmas season here in West Norfolk, filling me with dread not joy. It's time for our school's annual German Christmas market. It starts with the story of St Martin (after whom the school is named) and descends from there on in to an evening of kids flying around the classrooms to look at numerous stalls selling everything from sweets to Christmas trinkets. I agreed to go for an hour with B and after a few short conversations with other parents, generally feeling sorry for ourselves, we headed home; B armed with most of her Christmas presents. Organised or what!? Must take after me.