Winter solstice

Open the front door at 9am, and it's warm. Look out of the kitchen window and the view is a riot of golden sunshine, russet-and-grey trees, orange khakis, startling white snow-caps and a clear, clear Canaletto sky. Indoors, Mathilda is crackling away, the children are slurping happily on their Nesquik and two white-and-tabby cats are surveying the scene.

December 21st. The winter solstice. Ezio says it's the first day of winter, but to my mind it's midwinter, and it's all downhill to spring. Of course, Ezio's right and I'm wrong - there'll be plenty of dark and very cold days in January and February, but up here you just gotta think positive. So tomorrow I'll be thanking whatever gods are listening that the sun will be rising a fraction earlier and setting a fraction later. And if I have time, I'll be weaving a Christmas wreath in recognition of the neverending cycle of the seasons.

Perhaps also the chickens will register those extra moments of light and start laying again. Otherwise I might have to buy a second freezer...

PS Thanks one and all for your company once again for Christmas mass followed by pannetone and mulled wine...and for the beautiful decorations in the church. Fingers crossed that our nativity wins the Cannobio competition for the most beautiful scene. If simplicity is one of the criteria, we're certainly in with a chance.