Greetings

While most other life forms in this part of the world are preparing to go into hibernation, I am making my first tentative attempts to emerge out of mine. Until, of course, the clocks go back (which is in roughly two weeks) and whatever little resolve I have will then freeze under an avalanche of snowflakes and thermal underwear. But enough. Before this little island is taken over again, Narnia-like, by a seemingly perpetual winter, let me try and get some words in.

So, where to begin? 

In the last three months, a number of significant events have taken place in my life. I realise that some (if not most) of these will be of little interest to anyone but me, but here is a shortlist anyway (in somewhat random order of significance- in keeping with the beautifully upside-down-inside-out nature of my present condition). Now, on with it- mild frostbite is already setting in.

I married an amazing woman.
I flew for 14 hours non-stop and didn't throw up once. I repeat- I didn't throw up once.
I learned how to tie a reef knot.
I laughed. Loudly. Several times.
I woke up in one continent and went to sleep in another.
I met people who'd last seen me when I was still in diapers and talked funny.
I sang 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' in public with my wife and sister.
My uncle passed away two weeks before he was due to travel to the wedding.
My grandmother's leg prevented her from making the final leg of the journey to the wedding. (the awkward pun is a defense mechanism)
on more than one occasion I experienced, as Colin Firth famously described, 'stirrings somewhere in the upper abdominals which were threatening to form themselves into dance moves'
I carried a baby (not mine) through airport security.
I traveled in an official Government of India car.
I met Bruce Lee. He was moonlighting as a waiter in an Italian restaurant in China.
I married an amazing woman.

That is all for now. I shall keep you posted on the weather front.