mistletoe | Oh dear

Hmm. Snowing with a vengeance now which is unfortunate as I have to drive a distance tomorrow, my friends are going to Edinburgh to see the rugby and more little buggers will snowball my windows. The road outside hasn't been cleared so it's not looking good.

I had a run in with some nasty little boys from across the road when I came in from work. They were mooching about on the snow covered grassy knoll outside instead of in their own garden. They moved towards the wall round next doors front and one started to get the snow off it. I heard the chap knock on the window to warn them and the older one threw the snowball at his window. I asked him if he would throw snowballs at his own windows and he said yes. So I told him to do that. He's about 9. He started to gather more snow so I told him to put it down. He didn't at first but when I said 'Understand?' he said yes and put it down. They both ran off home; but I ask you 9 years old. What is the world coming to?

I've just watched the highlights of the first one day final. Not only did England win but Paul Collingwood was magnificent - an outstanding catch; two superb run outs which should have been three but the replay view was blocked by the umpire and a match winning 120 not out. Australia bottled it after having England 15 for 3. The reason I'm so pleased, apart from the way we lost the Ashes, is that I taught Paul. English not cricket of course but still. He still lives in the area, his mam and dad are over the moon and he is such a modest unassuming lad he deserves it. Freddy Flintoff the Captain was effusive in his praise for once and it's about time that Paul was recognised. Two centuries in his last two innings and two man of the matches. Who needs Pietersen? Go on Colly! Let's hope he can keep it going in the World Cup - and the other two games in this series. He's a Sunderland supporter too.

Weather update: still snowing and road totally white with a few inches in it now. No traffic. Oh dear.