Progress. I got up the hill to John Lewis yesterday and bought the square pillowcases, and on to Thornton's for a large and luxurious-looking box of chocs. It feels like a day gained. I mustn't waste it.

Today's job is to decide on new tables, and perhaps purchase. My husband will need something better beside the bed than a chair piled high with books. We often eat in front of the television, with plates balanced on our knees. He will need something more secure for that purpose.

I left the rugby yesterday at half-time, to set out on my shopping trip. Scotland were trailing the USofA ignominiously. After buying the pillowcases I went to the electronics dept, because my husband fancies he wants a tablet. Everyone had abandoned the pursuit of electronic delights in favour of standing around the big television sets to watch Scotland score an important try. I got home in time to see the final one. Another secure win. Next we play the mighty South Africa – who were recently humbled by Japan.

Lots is about to happen. Alexander will be here tomorrow to interview a private care-provider, and again on Friday, perhaps with Ketki, for the great Homecoming. And James and Cathy will arrive that evening for the weekend, staying in Greek Helen's nearby flat and promising me a Japanese take-away (=carry-oot) from Bonsai.

Knitting

I finished the second Dunfallandy square and cast on the third. I tried to spend the evening curled up with Downton Abbey and the sleeveless vest, but found it boring and went to bed. The vest is at that stage where no matter how much one knits, there is still an inch and a half to go before the underarm.

Flipboard likes to insert amongst the items relating to knitting, a list of other topics I might be interested in. I often click through to Personal Organising, just for a giggle. But I've signed up for something called 101 Days To Christmas and am trying to follow its programme. A suggestion is emailed every day, most of them, so far, irrelevant in my situation. But I have found the gift list, as suggested, and made sure it has been successfully ported over to the current computer.

And now they suggest I think about knitting things for people. They phrase it more generally: “craft”.

I doubt very much if there'll be time this year. But I remembered that I have mentioned the dread word here a couple of times, and I tracked the references down. One was the big cowl on the cover of the latest VK – the pattern stitch is too fiddly, I fear, on close inspection. The other was felted slippers from Arne & Carlos' new book, which I haven't seen yet.

Can you felt things in a front-loading washing machine? I've often wanted to try, but have never actually attempted it.

And there's that nice two-colour cabled scarf on the cover of the new Rowan book.

Non-knit

Here is a link -- if it works -- to a YouTube video of last weekend's wedding. I didn't spot myself anywhere, but it's first rate for the feel and look of the day.