I walked this morning, for about two hours, through the town and out the other side, up and around Snapes and then back through the town, home. My boots are very muddy!

The view was blighted by bad light, and it threatened rain, but I reached home, dry and warm, flushed with the exercise. I record whenever I train or attend a dance class or go for a walk - and put a large asterisk beside the entry in my diary. The target is three stars a week.

Bad light

It's low tide and the beach is clear
It's that festive time of the year
When a bad light can blight the view
And bring a distant gloom too near

While the streetlight wears a halo
And the cobbles glisten and glow
Shops are bristling with Christmas cheer
But the shoppers are saying no

It’s sad: we’re all feeling the pinch
The effects of the credit crunch
Can’t afford to waste a penny
Having paid for our yuletide lunch