A better day. Chloe, it’s a strange idea, but I wonder if you’re right, that my enervation yesterday was connected with the solstice? Helen came for my walk today. I had her stop at the fishmonger at the top of Broughton Street and bring me a fillet of smoked haddock. I made myself some kedgeree and ate a great deal of it.

 

And speaking of food, I have been worrying about my Christmas dinner. My “black chicken” is French. Was it festering in a lorry at Dover? But today we had Fred’s usual Tuesday message, and he describes himself as “surrounded by poultry of many shapes and sizes in the kitchen today, getting them ready for all the Christmas orders.” That sounds all right. I think it will be delivered tomorrow.

 

And I got back to hap-knitting. I counted 94 stitches this morning. I knit more after that, and hope to add a bit this evening. I’m aiming for 144. Each row adds one. Then, of course, I start decreasing one per row until I'm back where I started.

 

Kate Davies’ new book came in this morning’s post. Sure enough, as one of you told me: the essays about technique aren’t included, although there is a reference to a website where they can be found. I like “Carbeth” although I’d want it six inches longer.

 

VK also arrived. I haven’t spent much time with it yet. I flew into a panic when I failed to find Meg’s name among the contents, but she’s there, all right, if one perseveres. She’s writing about hems, and it could be interesting. I see we are to have a new editor. Who is it? But I almost certainly wouldn’t recognise the name even if you told me.

 

And as for reading, I’m doing a rapid re-read of “The Little Drummer Girl”, and enjoying it, although I think I need something more cheerful than le Carre.

 

The weather continues rather good, in a December-y way. 2021 is well advanced in Drummond Place Gardens – snowdrops in bloom, winter aconites likewise, daffodils growing strongly. Nature is rather wonderful.

On Thursday, Christmas Eve, the animals can talk, I am told, although unfortunately, only in Polish which is more than Perdita or Paradox or I can manage.