David Hunter popped over today looking, may I say, very smart indeed in his new blue and charcoal suit.  His taste, of course, is just about impeccable and he seemed very pleased that I had noticed this new addition to his wardrobe.  His reason for dropping by was to discuss the forthcoming re-decorations to the motel.  It's several years now since the last work was carried out and I for one shall be very happy to see a nice new shiny coat of paint.

 

We had a little difficulty agreeing about colours, though.  David was insistent that we ought to experiment and perhaps change to strongish shades of red and blue.  Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned, but my taste ventures more towards whites and pastels.  Anyway, after chewing it over for a few minutes, we decided to compromise.  To help maintain our air of 'respectablility' we're going to keep the exterior looking fairly conservative, mainly blacks and whites, but inside I'll let David carry out some of his more extrovert ideas on decor!  The painters are due to arrive in a week or two's time, so no doubt there'll be more written about this soon.

 

I managed to snatch a few hours away from the motel this morning to pay a visit to Birmingham International, our brand new station which opened recently.  It must be quite an historic occasion really, because Hugh tells me that it's the first British Rail station to be built this century - the first, in fact, since London's Marylebone was completed in 1899.  I must say I think it's marvellous the way they've built it all up with the main line trains thundering past at all hours of the day and night.  Of course, as Hugh pointed out, the great thing as far as we are concerned is that the new stop has been built to serve that seventh wonder of the Midlands, the National Exhibition Centre.  No one has to tell me that National Exhibitions mean just one thing ... more guests!   

 

Jill and I popped into town to do a bit of window shopping (although I must secretly admit to having more than half an idea along the lines of a new evening dress).  Well, I've heard of love at first sight (though I must say it's never yet come my way), but my heart skipped a beat when I saw IT ... a sort of pale turquoise-green creation with billowy sleeves.  I tried it on and - oh! - it was beautiful, and almost a perfect fit.  Then the assistant told me it was seventy three pounds fifty.  I could have cried with disappointment.  Jill tried her best to console me and kept telling me of all the wonderful clothes that had never reached her front door, but it didn't really help.  I suppose like all the others, the dress will just have to remain locked away in the wardrobe of my dreams.  

 

All of a sudden winter comes to King's Oak.  A bit of a surprise really: I don't remember the weather forecaster mentioning snow.  Anyway, here it is, like it or loathe it.  Mind you, one of the few things for me that makes being a grandmother bearable is having a new generation of youngsters to get silly about.  Children really are adorable little creatures and the sight of them all dressed up in their little boots, thinck pullovers and pom pom hats takes me right back to my own childhood.  I can still remember the trouble I used to get into.  Things weren't easy in those days and sopping wet clothing had to be taken off, dried and put straight back on again.

 

When I come to think about it, what with one thing and another, winter for a lot of people isn't really such a bad time.  There is something very cosy about blazing fires (if you're lucky enough to have an open fire), hot drinks, early nights and the sound of the wind whistling round the chimney pots.  I suppose this is a very old fashioned sentiment in these days of television and central heating, but I still believe there is something to be said for that way of life.