This time last year, today would have been a nothing-special day for me. A grey, drizzly, chilly day, with nothing out of the ordinary planned. But these days, having a child with a no-school day (it's inservice teacher training at Sophie's school today) is a real treat.

It's been lovely to hang out here and play dominoes and Jenga and Scrabble. And construct pudding for this evening out of finger biscuits and sweets. And curl up on the couch together with our books.

Today feels even more precious when I think that, once I start work, days like this will be a headache rather than an unexpected pleasure.