In my garage I have a lovely little car – it’s a 1994 Suzuki Cappuccino. I’ve had it for over 14 years – bought it after the birth of child number 4 and my main car was a boring green people-carrier. I wanted something for me. This was my choice.

Just over 20000 miles later and with under 60K miles on the clock I feel it’s time to let it go to someone who wants to take it on for the next part of it’s journey. And so it’s on the market.

I asked around for a valuation – there are only about 180 of these in the UK presently with most being SORN’ed. Increasingly rare they are apparently increasing in value and currently nothing under £6K for a decent one. This is a more than decent one and I’m asking £6K.

But I know this snowy weather and Lockdown situation isn’t the best time to be selling our summer-loving little friend. So the question is do I take time – and spend money – to make it immaculate (I’ve been given a price of around £500 to iron out minor bodywork flaws)or sell as is (realising that the buyer may want to make their own modifications – I see a lot of different colours on specialist Facebook groups) AND wait til spring and a warmth in the air – or go for it now?

What do you think?

When you’re the only one in the house – or the only one who wants to eat veggie (for example) – do you bother to make yourself something delicious?

Sometimes – in fact mostly – I’m inclined to wing it. Always healthy – loads of veggies, stir fried, boiled up together, on a plate with a Quorn option – all easy and healthy. But recently I felt inspired to buy Cooking with Love by Keith Squires; cookery inspiring the amazing food served up at the Dru Centre in Snowdonia. Food that always is mentioned as a highlight of a residential stay at the centre.

As well as pondering over the pictures, on reading through the ingredients I realised I had most of them already in the cupboards. So yesterday I made the lentil and quinoa spicy mix served with homemade coleslaw and some fresh spinach: OMG – totally amazing! Even though I have to eat it myself for 4 meals in a row – I’m totally on it!

Cooking with Love – if it’s good enough to make to share, it’s good enough to make just for me.

A most auspicious end to 2020 as the year concludes with a full moon hanging in the sky.

A full moon usually has the significance of bringing things to a conclusion – as does the year end. I wonder, is it just me who has felt the urge to conclude and draw some lines under those items lingering for too long on the ‘to do’ list?

This year more than any other end of year I have felt this to be the case. Tax return completed, accounts up to date, LPA registered and in the process of signing off (after many many years!!) Cappuccino on the market, other items listed on eBay, Christmas decorations back in the lift – the list goes on.

I’m hoping I’m not in the minority here and that as a group we can leave much of this decade behind and be ready to enter 2021 with a fresh enthusiasm.

Total chaos. In a world of plenty everyone has gone crazy. There are queues to get into the supermarkets again with fears of food shortages as trucks are being held up at the borders in anticipation and preparation for Brexit. Never mind the cancellation of Christmas due to the mutated C-19 and the magical appearance of Tier 4.

Until Saturday afternoon everyone was expecting a 5 day window of opportunity to see their family groups in special Christmas bubbles – by Saturday evening the food they had been buying in anticipation of the arrival of said large groups had been delivered. Que announcement that only one day of extended bubbling was to be permitted and calls of distress re said over-purchased food.

This morning we hear trucks bearing loads of more food from the continent is being held up at the ports – possibly for several days whilst the paperwork is completed: and the news now stating food shortages could occur if people went out to panic buy. So people went out to panic buy.

In a week or 2 when said trucks arrive there will no doubt be stacks of food to replenish – but in the meantime: what shall we do?!

It’s exhausting.

New moons always offer a new start. This one was yesterday. Coinciding with a solar eclipse and with the full moon to rise on 30th December as the year comes to an end.

This prompted me to consider what ‘new things’ I might like to welcome this new moon.

Given the the period up to full moon takes us to the year end it seems inappropriate to be starting with ‘new’ stuff – but rather to make a resolve to conclude some of the thing started in 2020 before 2021 begins. So that is my resolve for this last ‘new start’.

I will have my tax return completed and sent (this will be a first – to to this before January), I will complete rooms in the house started and as yet partly done (the downstairs bathroom for one) and I will get my red car sold. Anything else – no doubt there are several little jobs that will shout for attention – but the aim is to complete – ready for the New Year.

2021 will begin with a clean(er) slate..

One of my favourite afternoons out is to meet a friend and go for a walk. The sort of friend who has an assortment of connections and you feel like you could talk for hours with. The sort of friend with a quick mind and can float in and out of topics to match your own busy and slightly crazy way of thinking.

Uncovering topics not often discussed in polite company (the non-linearity of the concept of time, the existence of parallel multiverses) and pondering the state of our world as it is without judgement.

A stroll along our glorious coastline in the winter sun and warmish breeze, wrapped in 3 or 4 layers makes the whole experience a total joy. Random conversations are the best.