In answer to questions about the Greek alphabet, I’m using Microsoft Word, I don’t know which version, nor do we any longer seem to have a button to click on to provide that information. Composition pauses, for a moment I can’t type anything, then there is a portentous ringing noise – and then everything is in Greek. Everything. It’s no use leaving Word and going out into the greater world. Everything I type is in Greek – Help can’t help because it doesn’t understand what I’m typing.

But rebooting solves the problem.

There is nothing much to report today. I have proceeded with the centre of the shawl but without quite the first-day enthusiasm of yesterday. I’m approaching the end of the second repeat (of 14) of the centre pattern.

To my sorrow, no one on Ravelry has yet responded to my challenge to reveal how much of what we bought at EYF 2016 is still unknit.

So here’s January over. I’m sorry to see it go. What have I achieved? The income tax. My resolution to deal at once with every financial paper that turns up in the post has been fulfilled. “Dry January” didn’t work – there’s time for that in Lent. I haven’t yet tidied and filed away the papers left over from doing the tax. They’re still spread out over the table here. I’d better get that done tomorrow. Spaying the poor cat has to be regarded as an achievement, I suppose.

My sister is coming for a visit on Thursday. I fear she will find us very limited in both diet (because of toothlessness) and activity. She is Serena to my Venus, and considerably more active, I fear, by now, than I am.