Thanks to you all for the kind words and the wonderful welcome. I had to move 3000 miles away to start getting to know some more UK mudcatters! Just goes to show how much work can interfere with your social life!

We came back to snow and it's still there, with more threatened for tomorrow. We've both got colds, which is a good excuse for not going out unless essential, but Kendal was glad to get back to his own bed and to see his dog, Seamus, again.

I'm now planning a quick trip to Florida at the end of the month, when my son is on holiday there. Looking at the temperatures there at the moment it will be quite a contrast to the weather in Maine.