Proof it's still winter, 26th March, 2013.

In case you hadn't noticed from the below freezing temperatures, the patches of snow on the ground, and the knife-like blasts of easterly winds making it necessary to wear two hoods when out walking, here's a dodgy photo of a Redwing in Gheluvelt Park taken earlier today just to confirm that it is still winter.

Redwings normally fly away when approached by a big ugly cold bloke in two hoods but, today, they were so cold they couldn't be bothered. 

They usually return to Iceland or Scandinavia by the start of Spring but they'll be here 'til late May (if not June) at this rate.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Saturday, 23rd March, 2013.

The route across country. Not great, but not too bad.

Vicky is at the wheel. David is no longer experienced enough, evidently, to drive in these conditions.

David chuntering to the contrary, happily, not recorded here.

Safe arrival in sunny Stratford.

About to enter the RSC Theatre. Vicky is wearing it as a hat. 

Not a very pretty hat, is it? It'll be nicer inside.

The Swan Theatre stage (and musicians) for The Orphan Of Zhao is set.

The play finishes at 5pm and, if anything, the weather outside is even worse. No time to have that Italian meal we had planned and, worse still, no time to revisit Much Ado About Toys (boo!) as we want to get home before the light goes completely. 

We decide to go home by a different route to avoid any local flooding which is a regular feature of the route we took this morning. This is Henley-in-Arden, by the way.

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday, 18th March, 2013.

This is Jenny. She's been scratching herself on account of having Wet Dermatitis and so has got sores all over her body and bonce.

Now Miki is fitting a thingy around Jenny's bonce to stop her scratching herself all over.

Katie receiving a lesson in the art of 'playing nicely'. It'll end in tears.

Felix lounging about. Alright for some.

I'm Timone. My mother was a Siamese who was got at by a Mackerel Tabby 15 years ago. 

I'm cat of the day, obviously.

A cat has just been re-homed so it is time for Vicky to give Pen 2 a deep clean 'cos there will be another cat coming in soon. Bound to be.

Mini-Daffs brighten the place up nicely.

Miki is an expert with an ear-pokey-outie. But you wouldn't want to see what came out of Roach, the new resident cat. Far too graphic for a family blog.

Rumination? It's an art form.

Syd enduring a non-comfy lap.

BSB Test Day, Donington Park, Thursday, 14th March, 2013.

Using all the skills he has finely honed in winning the BSB title three times in the past, Ryuichi Kiyonari negotiates some steps whilst clutching a racing boot.

We are grateful that the weather forecast was right: it won't rain today. Trouble is, they didn't say anything about snow! Blimey, it's cold in the Pit Lane.

Simon Andrews: fastest Superstock rider of the day. He's from Worcester, y'know.

Jacob Smrz and Clive Padgett are hoping to put together a budget to enable them to run a Honda for the whole season. We shall see.

Queuing up for the Food of the Gods. The Paddock Cafe did a roaring trade all day. We had Pesto Chicken and chips in case you were wonderin'. Just the job on a freezing cold day.

Oh yes, we remember the good olde daze when riders used to battle with the raw power of their machine as they exited Redgate. Now, thanks to all the gizmos and rider-aids this is about as good as it gets. This is Dan Linfoot, by the way, we like him. He can pull a little wheelie out of Redgate.

Connor 'Too Tall' Cummins getting in some sneaky practice for a season on The Roads with his Superstock Yamaha.

Trying to get a shot of Simon Andrews. He's from Worcester, y'know. Have we mentioned that?

It's time to go home and Vicky and Howard have selected their chosen steed but, given the temperature, they'll stick to the innards of a cozy Lancer if it's all the same to you.

Yay! Another season of motorsport has started!

Crufts, NEC, Friday, 8th March, 2013.

Precision walkies in one of the small arenas. Looks like fun.

Making friends.

The Agility Trials in the main arena - it's a long walk to get there so it's nice to just sit for a while and take the weight off.

Victoria Pendleton (she's one of those Olympians y'know) promoting something or another. Can't remember what now.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, Sunday, 3rd March, 2013.

A bloke in a poncey jacket, and a poncey scarf (tied in a poncey way), in a poncey town.

Note look of extreme guilt as he clutches his most recent slot car purchase, hidden in a plain black bag, purchased from the den of iniquity that is Much Ado About Toys.

Methinks we shall be returning to Stratford on a more regular basis (oh yes).

Vicky and the very bridge upon which a very important person nervously asked her a very important question back in 1984.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Two very gnarly things.

Vicky shows off to David the office she is based at when covering the Stratford area. 

Looks nice.

Stratford as its Tourist Office would like you to imagine it.

Our royalties are in the post, I expect.