Town Mouse The start of the holidays

LAST week included a very happy visit to Glasgow, the first for Town Mouse in more than two years. My sleeper trundled over the Clyde in the first light of dawn and, within minutes, everything was bathed in brilliant sunshine. On such a wonderful morning, the search for breakfast gradually turned into an exploration of the city, culminating in a walk to the top of the Necropolis with its stupendous morning view of the cathedral. It felt exhilarating to be back. The only real sadness was to see the Egyptian Halls still clothed in scaffolding.

At home, the children are settling down to enjoy their Easter break. It’s delightful—if slightly provoking—to see them quite so relaxed and their ability to lie in bed is nothing short of astonishing. I get my own back, however, by reminding them at regular intervals that they have homework to do and—one of them—a violin to practise. The stock response is that ‘rest’—by which they seem to mean reclining somewhere and using their phones—is essential before they can focus on anything. Work, I am assured, will start ‘later’ or ‘tomorrow’. We shall see. Their chief excitement, meanwhile, has been watching brief flurries of snow fall as the spring weather swings from warmth to intense cold.