(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

It's events like our hunting party at the weekend that really do reinforce the good that one's training does, particularly when one attends to it regularly. Of course, indulgences like the food and wine at the Frost Faire do almost as much to put one off one's regimen.

There's also a breath of spring in the air - at least, here at the Manor. Snowdonia was still capped in white, which as everyone said made the stalking that much easier, but even there a few snowdrops were poking through round about the lodge. Maebh, it really is lovely, what you've created. Thank you again. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate Lucius' 40th (and no, neither of us can quite believe it: 40!).

But as I said, Wiltshire is greening. I think, Mr Cooper, we may even be able to resume your installations there and in Kensington within the week. Certainly I should like them completed as soon as weather will allow.

Oh, and Aleta, dear, I think a holiday social is a marvellous idea but we've already made our plans for Easter. Perhaps we should talk about it at the next DoP meeting? I'm sure we'll find someone with space and time to host.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

Forty or not, Lucius is in admirable fighting trim. In fact, you and he so decidedly outclassed several of the Aurors in the party that Bellatrix and I have agreed we need to toughen standards in the department.

I apologise for yesterday afternoon's change of plans. Maebh felt it best that she return to Snowdonia straightaway. She does feel uneasy about leaving things there in other hands, and as she said to me, there will be all the more reason to celebrate next week when all is certain. I think I managed to convince Mother that this is a useful lesson in patience for her as well as for us. It seems to me that she's become more inclined--not to rashness, exactly, but to prematurely announcing her hopes or expectations to others, thus opening herself to public disappointment. Perhaps she's always been this way and I simply failed to note it.

There are hints of spring here, too. I was tempted for the first time in several months to extend my walk to work with a ramble up to Lincoln's Inn fields and on through New Park. I hear that they plan to dedicate a new monument to the heroes of our Protectorate there: judging by the site preparations, it should be a rather spectacular installation.

The Prophet promises that tomorrow will be fair again, so perhaps I'll look in on some of the other new works underway around town. There must be a dozen projects that have already begun despite the nastiness of this past season. It does feel that we are finally beginning to realise Our Lord's vision for New London.