1. It's not raining today, but clouds the colour of burning tyre smoke make us hurry out for our walk. By the time we get to the furthest point on our circuit the sky is blue and crowded with high white clouds racing east.
2. A man and small boy play cricket on the soggy January Grove. It seems to me that they are taking their preparations for summer rather too seriously. Nick says he's seeing his future.
3. My father arrives with yellow tulips and daffodils, his camera and the little nursing chair from my bedroom at home. We sit and watch Alec flicking through his collection of expressions.
