The stock headlights on the Surf are ok, but nothing special. We fancied something with a bit more, well, oomph.

The yellow Bosch fog lights seen on the front bumper of many Jap imports have been replaced by more powerful, rectangular, clear fogs. The front of the roof has been lined by the matching spot lamps. No expense was spared; the broken headlight bulb has even been replaced.

If the guy from across the road is reading this, I'm sorry. I hope you weren't asleep.

It's 10 years ago to the day that I first left home, and flew to Israel for a 9 month volunteer placement. It's also 7 years since I became a home-owner (again to the day), and exactly 1 year till we're expecting to land in Tunisia.

The tenth of January seems to be one of those dates near the start of the year when things tend to happen. So Happy New Year, and may it be full of monumentus occasions.

To start 2009, I had a quick dip in the sea, stood round a bonfire, had a short night's sleep, went rock climbing and then chilled out with a few beers (and lots of friends!) in a hot tub, in the chilly rain.

Hogmanay/New Year this year stood up to the test, with the year ending, after a nice cosy fire in a newly-built igloo, in the same hot tub as 2009 started, followed by a night in a roof-tent with thick snow falling.

Many thanks to Henry's extended family who put up with us gatecrashing their party in Abbey St Bathans. We did bring a week's supply of groceries with us though.

The next morning started with pulling 2 cars repeatedly out of snow before realising how fruitless it was and instead taking the passengers in our 4x4. Followed by some good, hot soup and a nice drive offroad in fresh, deep snow.

This was followed by a 6 hour drive the length of Scotland, and another night in the roof tent, before spending a lovely couple of days in Lewis with Ashleigh and Donald.

Nearly trod on the little fellow. Instead I stole his soul with my photo machine.

Do caterpillars have souls?

Soon after moving into the new house, I began hearing noises, like people impersonating dogs barking, coming from the open area beyond the compound every night.

At first, I assumed they must be made by the same dogs that lay in the shade, or scavenged lazyly for food, all around the town during the day.

It took a while to realise they were actually hyenas, drawn towards the city to look for food after a long drought.

I never actually saw them, but I don't really count that as a loss.