January 21st, 2001

 This has been the longest, wettest and most miserable winter that I can remember. 

From November to January, it rained steadily. Then there were two weeks of frost. It snowed a little last week and now it is raining again. Everywhere is knee deep in mud. The children haven't been in the garden or gone to the park for weeks. The cemetery grounds have not been in such a state for twenty years. Weather forecast says more frost on the way.

People walking along the road and out shopping, all look miserable. Perhaps we will have a lovely hot summer and everybody will complain about the heat. 

January 22nd, 2001

It is pelting rain again today. I just got soaked picking Isabel up from school. Lord I hate rain. I don't mind frost or snow or cold, at least you can wrap up warm and go out.

January 23rd, 2001

This is a nice mild morning, no rain yet. It is just hanging around up there waiting for me to go out. The sun has peeped out of the clouds over Keith's house. Sorry, it was an illusion. I think it is affecting people's health. The children are miserable. They complain of headaches. They can't go out to play. January 23rd, and wee Zoe's birthday. She is two today and has been telling us about it for weeks. She is a lovely, intelligent girl. All today's little ones seem so much more aware. They walk and talk much earlier. 

I'm just watching Olivia. She is sitting on the couch, looking at a book and telling herself a story. She can amuse herself for hours and she's only eighteen months. 

It will be Mary's birthday on Thursday. She will be 12 years old, going on eighteen. Pop stars have a lot to answer for. When I was 12 years old, I was a very naive child. I think the facts of life bypassed my generation of children. Nobody told us how we came to be and we didn't question it. 

Still 23rd Jan. Afternoon and pelting pitchforks, also a high wind. Thinking about going out was nearly as bad as being out in it. I'm fed up with getting wet. By the end of this winter, we will all be sprouting a fungus. The children have just got in before me. They got a lift. I hope Mary doesn't get wet, while walking from the bus. Thank God Anne has the car. She would not be happy, cycling in this weather. Michael cycles all the time.