Amy in a top she was given for Christmas, which sums up her feelings nicely. Unless Dad happens to be doing it, in which case she would feel that her mum could do anything. Fortunately both of these things are more or less true.

Extremely wintry today, with quite a lot of snow overnight. However, the sun melted most of it by this afternoon. I drove to the supermarket about lunchtime and it was a pleasant day. Dot had her hair cut but is not at all well. She has a bad cold and has retired to bed as I write (5.30pm). I’ve been writing my page for next Monday – one of the less easy ones. Sometimes it will all be done in an hour – at other times it’s a struggle.

England managed to lose at cricket again yesterday. However little their opponents get, they seem determined to show they can get less. I don’t think Freddie Flintoff is a good captain really: he seems to laugh it all off. I can’t imagine Ponting doing that.