According to the radio, December the first is the first day of winter - and what a way to show it. We had arctic winds all day yesterday followed by a few inches of snow which made the roads treacherous under foot and wheel.

I managed to drive to work only to have most of my patients cancel - well some of us had sense - so I did the Guardian and Times crosswords. Doing some visits in the afternoon, I saw a man lying in a side road, so I stopped to assist. He was 90 years old and had popped out to get a paper slipping on some ice on his way to the shop. He'd hurt his hip, and at that age a very possible fracture - they don't always hurt very much. I called the paramedics and waited with him until they arrived. He'll have an evening being poked prodded and X-rayed, poor bugger, but better than lying in the street.

I came home on some country roads which hadn't been gritted and that posed a little more of a challenge than the main roads. When I parked outside the house, I noticed from the marks in the snow that I was almost inch perfect to where I'd parked the night before.

Two rather sleepy felines were very happy to see me if only to relieve their boredom and extreme hunger. Hazel used to feed them about twenty times a day - since she died, they get a bit stroppy having to wait until I get home for elevenses, lunch, tea, dinner and supper, plus a snack before bed. I think sometimes I spoil them, but it's nice to have two purring hot water bottles.

Angharad.