Let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, a long time ago....
Back in 1991, when I was working in London, I joined a theatre group called Group64, where I met Danielle, and we became friends. Then, life being what it is, things changed. I moved back to Devon, Danielle married and moved to Hong Kong, having paid me a brief visit in 1993 when I was pregnant with Adrienne. Regular Christmas cards have passed between us ever since but we have not seen each other for 17 years. Until today...
Today 17 years could just as well have been 17 minutes. Danielle was in the area on work and called in to say 'hello'. She said I look just the same, I think she was being kind, grey hairs, wrinkles and three children all clearly having made their mark on my body. She really does look the same though. We talked for hours, naturally, having a lot to catch up on, and the time just whooshed by. It's a shame she lives 5 hours away (yes, she did return from Hong Kong) because I could envisage regular coffee mornings or bouts of retail therapy.
It was a great day though, and nice to know that friendships can stand the test of time. Danielle, lets not leave it so long next time!
Yesterday I did battle with the Christmas crowds in the High Street and so only walked the dog for a little way. Despite seeing snow on the hills all around there was none at all where I live. The leaves were all still pretty colours though and I actually got Willow to sit still long enough to take a nice photo.
Today we went further afield and drove onto Exmoor in search of snow. We went to Whistlandpound Reservoir and walked the circuit by the waters edge. The snow was not the sort of snow you could make snowballs with. It was too powdery. The dog didn't mind it at all. Her favourite bit was chasing lumps of ice, then crunching them up and eating them.
Adrienne with her eyes shut again!
We saw some deer on the way home, and a hawk of some description which flew down the road in front of the car for a good 30 seconds, carry its latest prey in its claws.
