First ramble of the year! (Walking, that is :)) Despite the freezing temperatures, rain/sleet and a generally grey outlook, a few of us wandered down to the North Downs for a five mile jaunt in the fresh air. After the lethargy induced over the holidays, it was good be be out and about.

Spent the evening round Sarah’s playing Diplomacy (again :)). My enthusiasm for the game was slightly cooled as I drew Italy out of the hat. With a full complement of seven players, I feared it would be a difficult game. Sure enough, after a couple of years, I was scrabbling around the Italian peninsula grasping for survival. Fortunately, the game ended with Germany and Austria-Hungary also vying for first exit, with Russia, France and England forming a rather inescapable pincer movement. The only thing stopping the inevitable happening was a shortage of time! I think we’ll have to start these games a little earlier in the day!