Frosty adventures and a hero's welcome.

Somerset was glittering with frost whilst I was home.  The leaves and grass were brittle with it and crunched underfoot.  My mother's dogs love it, they roll around like puppies in the cold and then lovingly rub their damp faces on your legs.  Three piebald horses had escaped from their tethers and found their way into the long grasses (terrifying our dogs) and you could see their hot, steamy breath in clouds above their heads.

But the best bit of these cold walks always is the return, stomping to the sitting room, scrunching knees up in front of the fire and scorching icy paws bright red on hot tea.  Then, prickly with heat, curling up on the sofa and reading.

I love visiting family but it always passes by too quickly.