h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

11 November - a big day for so many reasons. St Martin's is the most visible - all the kids walking along in the early dark, reverently holding their lanterns out in front of them.

In France and Belgium it was a public holiday so things were a bit quieter at the office today.

At 11.11 this morning the Carnival season got off with a bang. Well - they mentioned it on the radio.

A big day for anyone called Martin, really. One of my sons, for a start. I might bake some gingerbread men later, then I'd have one for my new piano teacher who is also a Martin.

Plans for Christmas festivities are beginning to materialise. Some of them will be in the last week of November - not long now.

Christmas falls midweek which is really great. I haven't taken any time off for Christmas, but there are only a couple of days between 20 December and 4 Jan where we'll have to man the office. I can't see much work getting done, though - maybe a few things that have to be adjusted ready to start the new year.

It's turned very cold. One pair of gloves is not enough once the sun has gone down. I shall have to add an extra layer next time I go out.

Got my gloves out too.

[Amy P]

I miss making the lanterns for St Martin now the Gruesome Twosome are too and to big to join in the fun. Our village parade is always on the Saturday after the 11th so I'll watch them all set off at the weekend.

For various reasons I was on a train to work more 2 hours later than usual, full of people in fancy dress (mostly half cut) heading to Köln to kick off the 5th season. I really don't like it much.