Last of the year - and no snow (December 27th 2006)

Hawes End landing stage was really wonky this morning. We didn't do it, honest! We just got there and found it like that. Io was chuffed as she didn't have to walk along it but I thought it was a shame that all those touristy types from Keswick wouldn't be able to do their Catbells walk via the ferry. (Wow, I almost sounded sincere then. Did you notice?)

The first landing stage on the lake's western shore that wasn't all wonky was High Brandelhow but even that was slightly wobbly. Here Io is at Hawes End looking bedraggled after a quick splash about in Derwentwater to get the fur on her ears to go all crinkly. In mine I'm modelling a new earstyle, what do you think of it? I often get to wear my ears in new positions while Io's just stay put like they were glued there. That's why she tries to get them crinkly as it is the only difference she can make.

It was a really cloudy day, with no sun and no snow! We'd been looking forward to some snow - it's great to mess about in. Hairy chucks these snow bally things for us to catch. I think it's a bit daft but Io loves it. She even eats them once she's caught them - which really is daft.

At one point the top of Skiddaw poked its head through the clouds which looked very strange. You had this sea of cloud with a pointy bit sticking up like one of those tower thingies on a submarine. Hairy took a picture but it's rubbish. I wouldn't let him show it - so he's sulking somewhere.

I suppose it was enjoyable to walk along the west side of the lake but it meant we didn't hit Keswick at all and, more importantly, didn't get to the bacon butty man in the tram! Still, we did get some more left over Chrimbo dinner when we got back as Hairy had done far too much on Boxing Day. He curried the turkey and made a turkey korma with rice. Not your traditional meal, as Io kept whinging, but it was good. He doesn't make his curries hot so we don't need a waterfall to cool our mouths down afterwards.

In order to stop Hairy sulking I agreed to put a picture of him in, waving at you from the end of High Brandelhow stage. Please don't ask what he's wearing. The memory of it makes me cringe. Just imagine what it was like to have to be seen with him wearing it! Embarrassing or what?

Happy New Year!