A visit from Jack Frost

We had our first proper cold weather last week. After a lovely Summer, the warm weather has continued all through Autumn. Last week we woke to our first frost, in, ooh about 13 years, leaving a lovely icing sugar effect on the lawn. I was thrilled because it meant I had to go out and buy a winter coat, my first one, in about ooh 15 years. It's black and padded with lots of zips and poppers to keep the cold out. Rob found the suitcase with our ski gear in and retrieved hats and gloves not worn since our last ski trip.

 We had a lovely weekend. On Friday night we ended up at the Lary Spudkins for an impromptu dinner, semi celebrating (but not wanting to jinx) a very successful job interview I'd had earlier in the day in Lewes.  Lewes was quite something and it would be great to work there. It is an ancient town with beautiful castle and lots of winding lanes lined with books shops and great food and craft shops. Watch this space re the job.

On Saturday Ed, Cass and the kids came up by train from Brighton and after a walk along the beach and through the Old Town we had mushroom risotto for lunch while the kids watched their new favourite film on DVD, Nim's Island.  Rob is meant to work on Sundays and, until his training in Eastbourne finishes, he's gone for most of the day. We drove him to the pick up point to discover he'd been told the wrong time and that the bus had left without him. Cheers all round as it meant he could spend the day with us. We drove a few miles east of Hastings to the beautiful village of Winchelsea. It has a stunning church, partly in ruins, and  happened upon Spike Milligan's grave and headstone there, famous for its gaelic translation of the phrase "I told you I was ill." We had a lovely pub lunch and have decided to come back here for Bonfire Night.  We have been swept up with X Factor fever that keeps all right thinking folk on their couches every Saturday and Sunday night. My favourite is 50-year-old Mary, a Tesco cashier from Dublin. We are also hooked on Downton Abbey, the latest costume drama on Sunday nights starring Maggie Smith. It's bonnets at 50 paces and has lots of below stairs action too.
 I fell under the curse of Dehli belly on Sunday night and Rob had to take yesterday off work to look after the girls (who are on half term) and I. I spent most of the day in bed suffering waves of chills and fever and extreme tiredness. Eventually I dragged myself out of bed and demanded to be helped into my wellies and taken to Pett Level for some fresh air and a bit of a walk. I went back to bed after we got back, rising briefly to watch University Challenge which included a cross dressing student from St Andrew's University. How times have changed.

Finally, here's a shot I took this morning from our bedroom of a lovely sunrise coming over the West Hill.