Education completed.

A bitterly cold start to the day but the snow that was supposed to fall overnight has somehow missed us. The two boyz stuck their noses out of the door at first light but faced with frost on the grass and a wall of glacial air they turned on their heals and retreated to their respective beds for some additional beauty sleep . I went off to the bakers in town for the croissants alone - so much for mans best friend. Let's hope their lack of energy is a seasonal thing and that they'll revert to being more active come the spring and the brighter,warmer weather. Wilf is having less exercise but consuming as much food as before - a check on his waistline will be in order later today.

Lunch yesterday with the nuclear physicists was a convivial if intense affair. My knowledge of lithium and deuterium and the benefits of fusion over fission is now as complete as it is ever likely to be. As compensation the wine list was wonderful and a peaceful 20 minutes was spent studying it while 'the font' engaged in meaningful conversation. Everyone chose fish so the bottle of Chateau Figeac was replaced by a Grand Cru Chablis. Strange,when I was a child cod was the most of mundane of foods but overfishing has elevated it to luxury status alongside turbot and halibut.

' The font ' is off to Paris for the night , ie shopping. A beef stew has been cooked for me and left in the oven. All I have to do is remember to heat it up and of course take it out again at roughly the right time.