This really woke me this morning when I opened the blinds and curtain stripes, the sun came shining through. I was blinded by the strength of the rays when taking the photo. It looks like it is going to be a good day today weatherwise.

Yesteday was dull and dreary. It stopped raining in the afternoon, but it still did not entice me to go anywhere.

I decided to bake a fruit cake. I still had some sultanas and orange and lemon pieces from the last cake, so combined it all and this was the result. It is supposed to be one of those cakes you can keep for a couple of days as it stays quite fresh. However, the way Mr. Swiss and No. 1 son were devouring it yesterday, I do not think it will live very long. My next cake adventure will probably be a pineapple cake. I used to make one now and again in my younger cake making days. I stopped baking for the last ten years, had no more interest really and just bought what I needed. I now have the time and my kitchen is quite well equipped with various machines and appliances, so I have started to bake now and again.

I was never really a person that liked to buy food that had been processed somehow, that is the same when I cook something. I like to make my own sauces, spice my food myself with my preferred mixtures and use my home grown herbs from the garden. Now that Winter is upon us I can buy the grown herbs in the store which is second best. Although I have a collection of various vegetables in my freezer, I prefer to cook fresh veg if possible and keep the frozen for emergencies when the weather is bad or for some reason I cannot get to the store. I just enjoy cooking and also like to watch the various TV programes with their cooks and ideas.

It looks like the birds are returning for some Winter feeding. This photo is from last year although I spotted a great tit this morning outside but was not quick enough with my camera. I have no bird food yet, the stores are not yet selling it and I like to get it in big bags. I suppose the idea is that the birds can still find their own food outside.

I was up at 5.00 am this morning as I am planning on a scooter journey to town today for some shopping and suddenly remembered I should upload the battery to my scooter. I usually do it in the evening and leave it to charge through the night, but forgot. It has now been charging for the last 4 hours and it should be OK by mid morning. There are so many things to think of sometimes.

It really looks like I will now be masked when I visit the town. That is the latest recommendation by our government and when it is a market day or morning, you must wear a mask. That is Saturday morning and the second Monday in the month all day for the big market. It seems police will be stationed to caution the non mask wearers and if you insist on not wearing a mask you will be faced with a fine from the public prosecutor and that can be very expensive.

Like all of us, I am thinking when will this all be at an end.

It will already by halloween for many on Saturday but not so much for the Swiss. There are a few single groups that might enjoy a costume party but that is now finished completely. Tricking and treating was never a reason here, so it will not be missed very much. We do have a holiday on 1st November for All Saints day which is custom to visit the departed in the cemetery but as it is on a Sunday this year it will be a normal Sunday. It is one of the fewer days when the cemetery has quite a lot of people. I suppose we will have to wear a mask. I will probably take a wheelie through the cemetery on Sunday to visit the action.

And now to the daily chores. I have quite a bit of ironing to do from the bed linen change this week, otherwise no great jobs. Have a good Friday, may it be a safe one, and no stress. I had a look in my garden yesterday and found that the leaves are now falling thick and fast. Looks like I will have to get busy with the broom at the week-end and recruit No. 1 son to help.