Sun, Jan 31st

We both watched the Australian Open from Melbourne this morning, both hoping that Andy Murray could defeat Federer and become Britain's first men's grand slam winner in 70+ years. Sadly, as with the US Open two years ago, Mr Murray fell short and lost in three sets. Oh well, he still has Wimbledon to look forward to in July!

The rest of the day was spent as usual with Dawn doing her chores and me in the kitchen. I made some cherry brandy fruit cake cookies, a large saucepan of chili using soya mince instead of mince meat, and enough Ratatouille (also from a Delia book) for the next couple of nights.

Dawn also had her weekly video call with Brady and I called Dad to check on him.

Sat, Jan 30th

Woke up this morning to snow covering the ground. Just our luck as we needed to take the car into town for its MOT. Something we almost regretted as it slid sideways as we stopped down at the bottom of Hale Road. Thankfully nothing was beside us, otherwise we would have had a repair bill and insurance claim, too. The car passed its test, by the way.

After dropping the car off we headed into town and had a coffee at Starbucks, did some shopping and even grabbed a bite to eat at The White Hart while we waited for the car. Then it was off to Tesco and home again.

Tonight I made a great clam risotto that I found in one of my Delia Smith cookery books.

Thu, Jan 28th

The big news today is that everyone at work received an email this afternoon informing them that from Monday they would be working a three day week. A number of factors were given as the reason for the decision. However, it was the fact that next month directors, managers, and everyone else would be losing 8 days pays came as a shock to many people.

Tues, Jan 26th

We're still walking to and from Hertford North and it's beginning to feel a little easier on our legs. It's just a shame that it's so cold and dark. It would be so much easier if we didn't have to wear our heavy winter coats while carrying our backpacks for the thirty minute walk. Oh yea, I am still walking back to Enfield Chase in the evening, too. That's another 30 minute walk.

Tonight I relaxed in front of the television and enjoyed watching Spurs beat Fulham 2-0 live on Sky Sports.

Sun, Jan 24th

This morning I was back in the kitchen to finish off the rest of the dinner for George's birthday. As Dad doesn't feel up to going anywhere, we said we'd bring it there. So we cooked another Christmas dinner (like the one he'd missed when he was in hospital). We also took George a cake like he wanted.

It was good to see Dad enjoy the dinner and George his birthday cake. It will definitely be one of those meals I'll remember for a long, long time.

Otherwise, we enjoyed a relaxing day at the house watching the Hope for Haiti telethon special that had been shown in the US, and was repeated here on MTV. And some of the American Idol auditions, too.

Sat, Jan 23rd

For the first time this year we did the grocery shopping by car. This was only because we needed to go to Sele Farm to pick up a free range turkey we had ordered for a special birthday dinner we were preparing for my brother's birthday on Sunday.

When we got home Dawn did her usual Sunday chores and talked to Brady on the phone because Brady had a problem with her laptop and they couldn't make a video call. I on the other hand spent several hours in the kitchen roasting the turkey and making our favourite turkey gravy, stuffing balls, cranberry sauce and pigs in blankets. Then I made some icing for George's cake and Dawn covered it.

After dinner, I watched Leeds United twice come back from a goal down to stop Spurs progressing into the 5th round of the FA Cup live on Sky Sports.

Fri, Jan 22nd

I suppose it was a given that we would end the week with another late evening. This time Dawn had to attend a meeting on the bike program at CU and did not get out of work until 4.30pm. So while walking back to Enfield Chase, I decided to get the train back to Hertford North on my own, walk home as quick as I could and then drive the car back to the station and meet Dawn. It proved a good idea. Not only did it save Dawn having to walk home, but it meant that we were home earlier than we had been on Thursday.

After dinner we then spent a good hour or so mixing and baking a chocolate pound cake for my brother George's birthday on Sunday. Credit to Brady for the recipe. Although it was Dawn's tweeking that turned it from a plain pound cake to the chocolate version.

Thur, Jan 21st

Again we were getting home late this evening. This time we had to stop by our doctors for a periodical check up. I had to get my blood pressure checked because I am on BP pills. I was a little anxious because I've gained a few pounds over Christmas with all the good food we have been eating. However, even though I haven't lost all the weight I have put on, the walking must have helped because the nurse seemed happy with the reading.

Wed, Jan 20th

We're still walking to and from the station at the beginning and the end of the day. However, the 30 minute walk home this evening meant we got home later than usual today. Well, the real reason is that Dawn had a late afternoon dentist appointment.

Tonight watched Spurs fall to Liverpool at Anfield live on Sky Sports 2-0. Sadly, we got what we deserved.

Mon, Jan 18th

Once more we walked to the station in the morning, and would have walked home again this evening. Unfortunately the box with my new food processor was just a little too uncomfortable for me to carry the mile and three quarters with a rucksack on my back. So, we hailed a cab outside the station and made it home in no time. Felt a little guilty, but I had walked all the way from Argos to Enfield Chase station with it.

Sun, Jan 17th

Woke early and after a shave, shower and breakfast, we walked into town with a backpack each, and mine filled with woven bags for our shopping.

As with last week, we walked into town and did our grocery shopping at Waitrose. This time we just got our stuff and headed home. Dawn and I were both feeling tired by the time we got back. Especially as Dawn still had laundry, ironing, vacuuming, and her video call with Brady still to do. And if that was not enough, she disappeared upstairs and did some studying, too.

I tidied my mess on the table, worked on my laptop, and followed a couple of football matches on Sky Sports.

Sat, Jan 16th

Now that us greenies are walking everywhere instead of driving, we walked into town today to get our haircut, then walked to Hertford North station to catch a train to Finsbury Park, and then walked to Dad's. Obviously, we walked back to the station and home again, too. Unfortunately though the snow we had been having recently has turned to rain and it rained almost all the way to Dad's.

As for Dad, he looked okay. He has lost a little weight over the last few weeks. But he is in good spirits all things considered. George was of course happier to have Dad home with him.

Fri, Jan 15th

Nothing to report today, other than that Dawn completed her first full week at work since December 11th, and that we walked to and from the station every day meaning that we covered the distance of a marathon walking this week.

The news from Haiti is not good. We are still following the news on the radio, when I walk to Enfield Chase station in the evening, and the BBC news when we get home.

One other thing to mention. Despite cutting down calories and walking, neither one of us lost one pound in the last week. We were not at all happy.

Thur, Jan 14th

Again we were up early and walking to the station. By now Dawn's legs were really beginning to ache with all the walking we were doing. We were both pleased with the benefit it was making, but in Dawn's case her no pain, no gain was affecting her more than me.

This afternoon I left work a little early because I had a dentist appointment. All went well until the dentist tried to check my gums. She immediately commented about my sensitivity and asked if I had a cold. When I said I hadn't, she asked about stress. I mentioned my work and she decided to leave that check up until next time. So she just cleaned them and told me to come back in three months.

Wed, Jan 13th

Woke up at the same time even though neither of us needed to get the normal train. Dawn travelled down to Kent to attend an Eco-Campus seminar in Chatham and was meeting her boss at St Pancras so they could be there by 10am. In my case, I needed to attend Hertford County Hospital for a blood test to check up on my cholesterol. When I arrived at Enfield Chase I even walked all the way to work instead of getting a bus because snow again overnight had caused traffic snarl-ups.

Dawn's day was a long one regardless. She didn't make it back to Hertford North until 6pm. To help out, even though I had walked home, I drove to the station to collect her. In fact, it was the first time either of us had driven the car since last Tuesday.

Sadly, the main news of the day was that a 7 magnitude earthquake had hit Haiti and that it looks like many thousands may have died. We both followed the news the best we could.

Mon, Jan 11th

Dawn finally returned back to work. We left the house around 5:30 and walked to the station. Dawn's magic boots kept her feet dry and warm. Again there was a snow timetable, but at least we got to work.

Having finished with November's invoices last week, my boss was on my case to finish December now. Worse though was getting calls from people chasing me and a reversal of some of my accomplishments last year. Dawn spent the day trying to catch up from last week.

With only two trains an hour, we both left work a little early. However, we still had the walk back home. We were both tired, but pleased that we'd made the decision to start walking to the station.

Sun, Jan 10th

Kept up the walking routine by walking to the PO to get Dawn's Sunday papers. Then it was home to spend the best part of the day editing all the photos that I had taken all week in the snow. That took forever. Then I posted them to Facebook and had to spend even longer backing up loads more to DVD to free up space on my laptop.

Dawn did the chores as usual and had her weekly video call with Brady.

The weatherman forecast snow for today and thankfully it never came. There was still more than enough snow on the ground from the last lot that came down. Besides, Dawn was already apprehensive about going back to work on Monday and didn't need a fresh layer of snow to deal with in the morning.

Spoke to Dad and surprisingly he sounded a little down. He has good and bad days. So today was obviously the latter.

Sat, Jan 9th

Finally the weekend. Dawn, who had been stuck in for 3 days, was getting cabin fever and wanted to get out of the house. She still didn't have ideal footwear, but we thought that if we could get a bus into town she could get some there. Just our luck the bus did not come to our bus stop because of the snow so we decided to walk in to town anyway.

First stop was Millets and they had sold out of wellies and any other boot we could have bought. Leaving the store I slipped on ice and ended up on my backside. Thankfully the next store we tried had a pair of snow boots that fitted Dawn perfectly. I even got myself a pair of boots. Best of all they didn't cost us anything. We used the money Dad gave us for Christmas.

We ran several errands, stopped at Starbucks for a coffee, and grabbed a light lunch at The White Hart before doing our grocery shopping in Waitrose. Then we headed back home with a backpack each and a woven bag in each hand. On the way Dawn came up with the bright idea that we should do this every weekend, and even walk to the station, too. It would improve our carbon footprint, help us lose weight, and hopefully get us fit, too. So watch this space.

Fri, Jan 8th

Last day of our first week back and once more I walked through the snow and ice to and from the station. Once more Dawn stayed at home in the nice warm house with Tiny.

However, I did have something to be cheerful for. I had lost four pounds since the last time I had weighed myself. Clearly cutting down on food and walking to the station has helped. However, I have to admit that I had gained a little weight over Christmas, so it wasn't really as good as it sounds.

At the house Dawn got the shovel out and cleared a path to the shed so she could get some food out of the freezer. Dawn said it really tired her out and had been a real good work out. Tiny watched from the back window wondering what she was doing.

Thur, Jan 7th

The snow fell overnight, but thankfully had stopped falling by the time we woke up this morning. However, the roads were still treacherous so there was no way I could drive to the station. This meant that if I was going to work I would have to walk to and from the station. This I ended up doing. Dawn on the other hand spent another day at home. She had paperwork with her so she could still work.

I didn't enjoy work at all today and even had a little barney with one of the directors. It's going to be a difficult few weeks and the snow has not helped.

Again, I left work a little earlier than usual. Walked back to Enfield Chase, caught the train back to Hertford North, and then walked home. The ground was covered with snow and ice and made the walk hard work. So much so that by the time I got home I was baking inside my heavy coat, despite the temperature being in minus numbers.

Wed, Jan 6th

The weatherman got it right this time. We woke up to about five inches of snow this morning. The road outside was treacherous, so there was no way I could drive to the station. But at least the trains were still running. Even if it was a restricted service with a snow timetable.

Dawn, who didn't have boots or any other footwear she could put on to plough through the snow, decided to stay at home. I, on the other hand, persuaded by my boss's need for me to complete November's invoices, decided to walk the mile and three quarters to the station just as I had before Christmas.

Once at work I worked as quick as I could to get the invoices posted and with more snow forecast, and already still falling, decided to head home mid morning. Dawn's texts telling me that all she could see through the window at home was snow also influenced my decision a little. I did not want to get stuck in Enfield if the trains were cancelled.

Back at the house the phone rang and I was delighted to hear Dad's voice on the other end telling me that he was back home at last (after 38 days). I couldn't believe that they discharged him in these conditions. But as long as he got home safely, that's all that mattered.

Despite being at home this afternoon, it did not stop me working. I logged into the office over the Internet and worked my typical hours as usual.

Tues, Jan 5th

Again I had to thaw ice on the car this morning with some warm water from a kettle. However, seeing as we only had the cold to deal with, we weren't complaining. The news showed countless reports of heavy snow and it was forecast to reach us this evening.

At work I was still working on last November's invoices. My boss, who left for Christmas early, was on my back to finish them ASAP so he could do the accounts. Upstairs some staff were complaining how cold it was. One thermometer showed 11 degrees and no one could get warm because the H&C system was not working and the radiators aren't worth a damn. My boss approved the purchase of three oil filled electric rads to help.

Tonight I spoke to Dad and he was pretty confident that he would be home tomorrow. I have to admit I have my reservations. Based on the snow that is being predicted, I can't see them sending him home where the road conditions are so bad. Only time will tell.

Mon, Jan 4th

Back to the early morning routine of climbing from bed around 4:15am and driving to Hertford North station. However, before going anywhere I had to scrape the ice off the car. This was not what I wanted first thing in the morning.

Both our days back in the fold went as well as we could have expected. In my case, if felt like I hadn't been away. Same old challenges that beset me before Christmas were still there. In Dawn's case, it was the first day back since she'd been informed that her boss was leaving. Needless to say, the two never discussed the matter because they were both too busy.

By the time we made it home we were exhausted. Especially Dawn who hadn't worked since the 17th of last month. Called Dad as usual and he was in high spirits because the doctors want to send him home on Wednesday. George was also in a good mood, probably for the same reason.

Sun, Jan 3rd

Last day of our nice Christmas break and neither one of us was feeling good about going back to work in the morning.

Walked to the paper shop to get Dawn's papers and then spent the rest of the day taking it as easy as we could. Dawn of course did her usual Sunday chores. I watched FA Cup football on the TV and was delighted to see Manchester United get turned over by Leeds United from two divisions below.

Called Dad after dinner and spoke to George again. Both seemed to be holding up well all things considered. But, I think it's more to do with the hope that Dad will be home one day this week.

Tonight we tried to get work out of our minds by watching some sitcoms like Two and a Half Men.

Sat, Jan 2nd

Count down to work has begun with neither one of us looking forward to going back to work on Monday. Today we were able to distract ourselves by heading onto town for a bit. Dropped off some DVDs at the library and popped into Waitrose and WHS. As usual, in town, we enjoyed a nice hot latte in Starbucks. After Dawn looked at the newspaper we'd picked up, we discussed our New Year resolutions which generally focused on a healthier lifestyle including more walking, eating less meat, and of course losing weight.

At the Coop pharmacy, where we were picking up our medications, I was informed by the chemist that I needed to drop in to the local hospital for a blood test and my doctors for a blood pressure check. Both needed to be done within 2 weeks. Great. I also have a visit to the dentist within the next 14 days, too.

The highlight of the day, especially for Dawn, was a second helping of our New Year's Day dinner tonight. Then we saw out the day watching the film Milk. It was pretty damning confirmation on how bigoted some Americans were, and still are. Sadly, prejudices have a greater impact on all our lives than they should.

Fri, Jan 1st

After staying up last night, we didn't get up until gone 8am this morning. For us, this is LATE!

Walked down to the Post Office (new resolution) and then took things easy. The main events of the day were getting a photo of Dawn, Tiny and me, and cooking Dawn's second favourite meal of the year. She loved the roast pork loin, greens, cornbread and black eyed peas that had been simmered in bacon and the juices from the pork.

This afternoon I used up more of the mince meat I had made a few weeks ago and made some more mince pies. We need to lose weight, but the diet doesn't start until tomorrow.

Tonight chatted to Dad and George before watching Last Chance Harvey. Not a Hallmark or Disney movie, but a feel good film.