they have left. the husband too. and the cats are out hunting in the rain. the house is empty and quiet, the pup is tired, my new friend and the sloughi girls are not coming until 12, and i can't sleep. i woke up at 6.30. what a waste of winter time! i had been looking forward to that extra hour of sleep, and instead i wake up at 6.30. maybe i'm getting old... our grey old neighbours wake up at 6 every day.