And back outside we came across a Chinese pagoda twinkling in the fading light.
On Sunday my young friend and I drove to London to see my very old friend Katie. Sadly she's not well these days but is being well looked after by a team of wonderful nurses. Katie's sister, Margherita, had arrived from Geneva with Gianni, so we spent a nice time with them.
Totty, Katie's Italian greyhound, kept Katie company on her bed while Gianni and I chatted.
During the past few weeks I've not been idle and have painted three or four miniatures and various other pictures, but haven't been able to show them because either they were Christmas presents or were not yet delivered to the clients. Here, however, are two miniatures I painted for my cousin Paul Carter of two of his grandchildren, Georgia and Derry.
I spent a lovely Christmas Day with my niece Louisa and her family in Marlow. Picked up Val first and loaded the car with presents, booze, Christmas crackers and all sorts of other goodies. Here are a couple of pictures of my great niece Kate with her new 'Hollywood' style signs for her bedroom.