THE GIRLS HAVE...

... always had an issue with people daring to trespass upon their territory, and that extends to the road at the end of our drive. Anyone who dares to park within sight of the girls' room is I for an ear-bashing. The poor unfortunate driver may have no intention of visiting US, but. The girls make no allowance. Your in their space, you get barked at.

For the next week or so they are going to be beside themselves because we have temporary traffic lights set up at the entrance to Cheviot Lodge and the start of the queue is right outside our house, so There is pretty much always a different car parked outside - and it is causing mayhem in here. I've banned them from their roomat the moment, just to get a bit of peace and can only hope that they give up their territory defending efforts once they realise they're fighting a losing battle!

I've had them out twice so far today, mainly because I want to make sure we avoid the snow and ice that are forecast for later on. We've had a few flurries so far, but just wet stuff and nothing that's settling. I will totally understand if James and Claire decide against coming up this evening though, especially having experienced the skating rink that the village had become this morning.

Of course, Charles is in Birmingham today and tomorrow. The girls settled pretty quickly after he left at the crack of nowhere-near-dawn. Took me a bit longer, but still managed another couple of hours before we all surfaced for the day. I think we're getting into a bit of a routine. All it needs now though is for Kevin to upset the apple cart...