Poj roused the Scouts for a walk up Pen y Fan in driving drizzle. Naomi and I went along to make up the numbers of “responsible adults”, and we took Grandma too. And of course Robin and Helen to even things up again. We were able to park at Pont ar Daf despite the Phytophthora ramorum outbreak that has attacked the larches. On the hill, Mackenzie... read more

Lois playing her new cello Helen, Bobs and Naomi All of us with the tree Windy walk up the Crug with Mike, Sally and Tony Christmas dinner Robin sorting out the Hotwheels, and still in pyjamas at lunchtime Lois and Helen rehearsing for the concert (Mae Hen…) read more

For posterity, here is the recipe, or rather the list of ingredients – I can’t remember how I made it, but I imagine “bung it all in the big pot, stir and simmer for an hour or so” should cover it. It is possible I fried the solids for a while first - who knows. Shallots (some) Tomatoes (1 tin ?) Onion (one) Garlic (some) Red pepper (one?)... read more

We are making these yummies this afternoon, after Stewart brought some into work before Christmas and made us happy. The recipe is from the Guardian: Dan Lepard's orange and pistachio stollen bars: A twist on the German Christmas classic. Photograph: Colin Campbell for the Guardian. Very straightforward to make and outrageously good to eat. Be... read more

A quick note for anyone encountering similar misery with Windows 7 updates, failed installations, and TrustedInstaller.exe gobbling CPU. Here's a solution that does not involve reinstalling Windows. My Windows 7 64-bit PC failed to install an update to Paint.Net a few weeks ago – mildly irritating at the time, but in fact just the first in a... read more