Jumpers on, fire lit and batton down the hatches - it's autumn!

The family Hammond is cold, very cold indeed. We are hibernating and have gone into winter mode. Camped around the first fire of the year watching 'Disney Cinemagic', snug in Pyjamas, the realisation that autumn is here has finally kicked in. With several family birthdays on the horizon the female Hammond's have begun their present attack and the wish lists are coming in thick and fast. I can feel my wallet being raided in the next week or so. I do tell a lie, Mrs Hammond is strangely quiet on the present front apart from the usual bombardment of can I have an Audi, Passat or a mansion in the country. That is day to day stuff and I simply do not pay attention. Lucy, on the other hand is highly organised and has submitted a detailed wish list for her birthday and Christmas for the next five years. It is incredulous that she will be six in a week or so. She has been a superstar at school and at home with her reading so a big birthday surprise is needed. The big question is what to buy Mrs Hammond, what indeed......