The snow and ice have melted enough to allow me to cycle in for the first time. There were a few dodgy patches and I took my time, but it was worth it not just for the exercise, but for the gorgeous views of the sun shining on the Potomac. The Mount Vernon Trail was very quiet with only a few runners and cyclists and was very pleasant until I had to tackle the back roads of Alexandria. It wasn't too cold either, although I was well wrapped up.

We had a small house warming last night with the guys from work and their families. It was very different with the house full of people, at least upstairs, but did it ever feel empty when everyone left!

Helen flies home tonight so I'll be all on my own until Kitty flies out for Easter. I should be pretty busy though; putting up curtain rails, getting the imported stuff into the house and buying loads of furniture. The house should be in good shape and possibly the pool open and hopefully not all the healthy food or beer drunk!

Hopefully you can see and use the house calendar opposite. We will fill it out to show when people are staying. As we have a spare double, twin and single room there shouldn't be many occasions when we are toppers. There's also plenty of room to camp in the garden or sleep in the lounge if push comes to shove. So come on everybody, grab a cheap flight to Dulles and come and see us! Preference given to boarders, and OK, skiers during the winter;o)