Elizabeth Street

These have been simply blissful days. Just Ibolya, Ruby, the cats and I, all just being together, enjoying each other's company and getting to know each other. We've not had to be anywhere at any time and can please ourselves, with all the warm and comforts of home or on little outings to Roundwood Park or the shops at Westfield or High Street Kensington.

Ruby's changing and growing each day, like the amaryllis at our kitchen window. A little more weight, hair; slightly lighter, expressions more animated. But above all, each day she seems more aware of her surroundings, her eyes focus and and she can now look and examine things, instead of looking into the distance at nothing in particular. She's become fascinated by the musical play feature on the rocker, Christophe and Stephen bought for her for Christmas.

I keep detecting the slightest of smiles, whether these are involuntary, chance like gestures or the first signs of genuine amusement, it's hard to tell. Smile or not, she's constantly fascinating and amazing to watch. When I look at her, I still can't believe this perfectly formed, beautiful little girl is my daughter and that there surely must have been some gigantic mix up at St Mary's.

Elsewhere today, the morning started with a trip to Elizabeth Street Veterinary surgery, to take Josie, after three days of vomiting. It always seems it isn't Christmas without a poorly pet. Going back to Elizabeth Street is always painful as it was there, in the very first days of 2000, that I said goodbye and watched Boofy put to sleep.

Josie was treated for over-grooimg irritable skin, caused by a reaction to fleas but is otherwise in perfect health. I was immensely proud of her as she showed the utmost bravery and fortitude when her temperature was taken and she was administered a steroid injection. As the vet finished with her, adoringly, she reached her paws up, and demanded a big cuddle before I put her back in her basket.

After lunch we took the train a couple of stops to Olympia and did some shopping in Kensington. After suffering Ibolya's constant plucking and pulling at my nose and ear hair, I treated myself to an electric, mail grooming device.