It is a truth universally acknowledged...

.... that a woman in possession of four grown-up children must be in want of an equivalent number of daughters/sons-in-law. Well, with three of mine happily settled (marriage, mortgages, kids etc) I had an excited phone call last night from child no. 4 to say he'd just become engaged. This is fantastic news. For not only is his girlfriend (fiancée now!) lovely, but it's wonderful to hear them both sounding so happy.

The year has got off to a wonderful start. Happy new year, everyone.