We got up this morning to discover it was snowing! This was the view from the kitchen at 7am - no, it's not a blurred photo, that's heavy snow!
We were worried we would have to change our plans for the day, but an hour later, this was the view from the front doorstep
As we headed down the A68 towards the Border, there was more and more snow lying - until it was at its deepest as we crossed into England
Our first stop was at Jennifer's, to give her a stool that Malcolm had made for her
Jennifer had given Malcolm the piece of needlework, which had been done by her mother-in-law, and asked him to make a stool - she was delighted with the result!
There was a rather unusual sight in Jennifer's back garden - a female pheasant (unfortunately the male was nowhere to be seen, as he is much more colourful!)
Next on the agenda was ........ lunch! We went to the Milkhope Centre, where we enjoyed some rather tasty sandwiches
But we were under strict instructions not to eat too much, as next we went to visit Rachel, who had promised us a feast of baking! First we had the most delicious cheese scones, hot from the oven
You know that Malcolm and I usually share a scone when we are out, but these were so delicious, we disgraced ourselves and ate two each (as did Jennifer!!). Then we somehow found room for a slice of this wonderful, delicious, gorgeous (you get the idea) mocha cake (yum, yum, yum)
But of course there then followed the quid pro quo ........ those of you who regularly read Rachel's blog will know the tale of woe about her dishwasher. Although she had sourced and fitted a new circuit board herself, it still wasn't working. Malcolm delved into the innards, and promptly produced a large piece of glass (from a broken wineglass) that the repairman hadn't noticed. We all held our breath as he pressed the start button ...... drat, it still wasn't working! Unfortunately, to do any further investigation required a specialist tool, which Rachel didn't have, so we will pop down again sometime soon (Malcolm hates to be defeated!)
My part of the baking/skills swap is much easier ....... to knit a cushion cover to sit on a chair with this cushion, which was made by Rachel's Mum
It is now 7pm, and we are still so full of cake and scones that we haven't had any dinner! However, Rachel gave Malcolm the last two scones, which he will have later for supper. She also gave Jennifer and me a large slice each of the mocha cake - I might share mine with Malcolm with our afternoon cuppa tomorrow ........ although I could be like Nigella and get up in the middle of the night and guzzle it (except I don't have the required red satin dressing gown to do that!)