tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56059779314888468652024-03-18T16:36:17.539+00:00Through The KeyholeJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.comBlogger1419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-19317922348296345182024-03-13T09:06:00.000+00:002024-03-13T09:06:18.625+00:00Baby Knitting<p>Now that I've told you about the new family member we're looking forward to meeting in a few months time I can show you a few things which I've been knitting.</p><p>These three little cardigans were actually knit last year. We were expecting to become grandparents before Christmas, however, that wasn't to be. Sadly, Eleanor and Jacob discovered at a routine scan that the baby had no heartbeat. After twenty four weeks it would be classed as a stillbirth but as the baby hadn't reached that age, it's actually called a missed miscarriage, a term I'd never heard before. There was no outward signs of a miscarriage, the baby's heart had just stopped beating.</p><p>As you can imagine, it was a sad and traumatic time for us all, but especially Eleanor and Jacob, and I don't think it's something they'll ever get over. This second pregnancy has been fraught with worry after what happened last time, plus the fact that Eleanor's had hyperemesis gravidarum, or severe sickness.</p><p>Anyway, on to the knitting.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK4amt994WHcmxO1_57atgGn7sUSu5kxdBVyJy1KMcp2MsF7EqYf_VAkfnucdX8OE_3g7Zp03ZMcZliwVwVOabCXYnzaODIRqUr0t0ueYl5BmFQG_kIU8Rr8gGnIWrNVlU4bXZDrAknT0E86DO0gGJoBBeSgs5urlq2v69rXi2G2PIr2DB0HqOGrjxUM/s800/P1110048.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK4amt994WHcmxO1_57atgGn7sUSu5kxdBVyJy1KMcp2MsF7EqYf_VAkfnucdX8OE_3g7Zp03ZMcZliwVwVOabCXYnzaODIRqUr0t0ueYl5BmFQG_kIU8Rr8gGnIWrNVlU4bXZDrAknT0E86DO0gGJoBBeSgs5urlq2v69rXi2G2PIr2DB0HqOGrjxUM/w400-h300/P1110048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>This is the Baby Aosta Cardigan by The Knit Purl Girl and this is my favourite of all the little baby cardigans I've knit so far.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKcu3cBRQHpRsv-ydT3RbkvnBJCpbO17tRzGNxCTzRHG_QijJoUoPuQSj0X244jf_4Fi6F2S7RUebX0-x7ADS8hMIooWR-pY8Qd-GtT1OaVm7FxZ6iarh0FDUUlZJPQ-lVMCAc60ed7Z5AXr28u8H6XV3sCM63jZJxfG3smPTEvqZnFzAYyTYz0p8U9g/s800/P1110044.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKcu3cBRQHpRsv-ydT3RbkvnBJCpbO17tRzGNxCTzRHG_QijJoUoPuQSj0X244jf_4Fi6F2S7RUebX0-x7ADS8hMIooWR-pY8Qd-GtT1OaVm7FxZ6iarh0FDUUlZJPQ-lVMCAc60ed7Z5AXr28u8H6XV3sCM63jZJxfG3smPTEvqZnFzAYyTYz0p8U9g/w400-h300/P1110044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It's knit in Andalusian stitch in Sirdar Snuggly DK in the shade Twinkle Toes, isn't that a great name for a colourway. I love these little wooden buttons I've used. I've started buying my buttons from the local market, they're so much cheaper than places like Hobbycraft, and they have a much better choice too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy81caOQD0WFFm_6XsdvwyJXlKxC_CO946PrvjfCtPf8zl86tOB5KF4bYM-pcGFROk8BJOixskVBg2ozZkMjL6Y_ByHRLaYmcueImkFvFuHS9M0a0KQGgmrpLOSUeNXuabXYX92NaVUQrbEjd6R7pddlVFH4J2duW3CmkxRkY-RKPFaKpQVWpz4ilqiU/s800/P1110033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy81caOQD0WFFm_6XsdvwyJXlKxC_CO946PrvjfCtPf8zl86tOB5KF4bYM-pcGFROk8BJOixskVBg2ozZkMjL6Y_ByHRLaYmcueImkFvFuHS9M0a0KQGgmrpLOSUeNXuabXYX92NaVUQrbEjd6R7pddlVFH4J2duW3CmkxRkY-RKPFaKpQVWpz4ilqiU/w400-h300/P1110033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The rib is cast off using a tubular bind off and the button band is cast off purlwise, which I can't remember ever doing before. It does give it a lovely neat finish.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW91wohA0G1qr6fl563xTzE2rxWzkH_KL7ejWBxnEauSxLsolxx5ICz4-UPYg_gWDedfEv7vB_TfhXIIXu2tK_4WOI6IyQUY_Tulkw4q8uVHIPt3OUzWROJlUGZIA4j3e1s6SNj71fmXaf8o7pJ8jTkgjp_F4_P1Ra5q_sInoum8hyphenhyphen6SZayHsDea06cg/s800/P1110092.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgW91wohA0G1qr6fl563xTzE2rxWzkH_KL7ejWBxnEauSxLsolxx5ICz4-UPYg_gWDedfEv7vB_TfhXIIXu2tK_4WOI6IyQUY_Tulkw4q8uVHIPt3OUzWROJlUGZIA4j3e1s6SNj71fmXaf8o7pJ8jTkgjp_F4_P1Ra5q_sInoum8hyphenhyphen6SZayHsDea06cg/w400-h300/P1110092.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Another one I really like is the Biscotti Baby Cardigan by Lilia Vanini. I knit the first size. The pattern is written for a sport weight yarn but again, I used Sirdar Snuggly DK. I knew the gauge would be wrong but it just means that it's come out in a larger size, which is fine as it will be perfect for the winter months when baby will be older.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiOMjVTpirKrmHTBdjaZsPSfBP02hVtzHyAIcASNCYGeZ4edaGkMCSvcQB4C1UXuLOYqPLnbRlUDGSLfUFiUBjVM_SRY2psosLtugaUCtRZhvtlePPEc3GKSBx1rfYjhNfY_n0twz8-bUb32-VVcUzeOQbpQN7ERDoF_eLtYou8LWj0xA9-DJ3XXfgHk/s800/P1110098.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiOMjVTpirKrmHTBdjaZsPSfBP02hVtzHyAIcASNCYGeZ4edaGkMCSvcQB4C1UXuLOYqPLnbRlUDGSLfUFiUBjVM_SRY2psosLtugaUCtRZhvtlePPEc3GKSBx1rfYjhNfY_n0twz8-bUb32-VVcUzeOQbpQN7ERDoF_eLtYou8LWj0xA9-DJ3XXfgHk/w400-h300/P1110098.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>This colourway is Treasure, another great name. The raglan on this little cardigan is different from the norm and makes a lovely feature.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkMuDYnkrbW6r874PymHagFU4hHLNGyqf2S9yrYAkE7QTUJM7tgiBwyMXwsfT51pPG4fVLKXpWgBafb7QRbDJgDknLYv4PZcb6rl5wPkyLvWaKXWyEwu0XdwcE7s2AJlBfi8CWNSDwFbWvDADGLLACrj1EbG8g6D6RDpliWCmngwzho7G3HI8ztCS18o/s800/P1110097.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkMuDYnkrbW6r874PymHagFU4hHLNGyqf2S9yrYAkE7QTUJM7tgiBwyMXwsfT51pPG4fVLKXpWgBafb7QRbDJgDknLYv4PZcb6rl5wPkyLvWaKXWyEwu0XdwcE7s2AJlBfi8CWNSDwFbWvDADGLLACrj1EbG8g6D6RDpliWCmngwzho7G3HI8ztCS18o/w300-h400/P1110097.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I can't say that cables are my favourite things to knit but I do like the effect they give. I started this cardigan and then realised that the cables on each front go the same way, I'd have liked them to be mirrored, but I didn't want to start ripping back to start over. When looking at this designers patterns at a later date, I realised that she actually has the exact same pattern but written in a way in which the cables are mirrored. It will teach me to look more closely at a pattern before I start in future, and also to look at the designers full range of patterns too. I'm happy with it overall though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB8r62PvDl8Db7BSW-RICkKqDMashhJKiqPLE6La-Ec2DrZAy-IJWzLSf0EjO1Cy9x46dc3eCQIYqrDodMVi1nxUu06426kJvT5tVw0rhxBztbrKSbdyyycS7QeE3BfraoHljtvB3LZBUtLXbamjColrDilwVPPY8eukwu-y9zup-lmDO50hNCvyp0Tk/s800/P1100755.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSB8r62PvDl8Db7BSW-RICkKqDMashhJKiqPLE6La-Ec2DrZAy-IJWzLSf0EjO1Cy9x46dc3eCQIYqrDodMVi1nxUu06426kJvT5tVw0rhxBztbrKSbdyyycS7QeE3BfraoHljtvB3LZBUtLXbamjColrDilwVPPY8eukwu-y9zup-lmDO50hNCvyp0Tk/w400-h300/P1100755.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>This one is the Oh Baby! Cardigan by Roberta Rich and it's one which I've knit before. It's a quick, simple knit and perfect for an everyday baby cardigan. Again, knit in Sirdar Snuggly DK, this is the Rice Pudding colourway.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFnNBEFT04TKK14ejVz-ihtytnK061lupIwnaQtOqrmPDtkecsu-YM1rn98Gw5tfgneKOK87eQxMFy-4GDNronuKCelhHph1UtjX5KBQqKdLYrjvcHLaGLDp-waYrioh-iGOqgfy-24PbSDYjUzrOLpj84nXJLOn_jlGheDl53h_SFMqTIQEgUO4HZ_g/s800/P1100762.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFnNBEFT04TKK14ejVz-ihtytnK061lupIwnaQtOqrmPDtkecsu-YM1rn98Gw5tfgneKOK87eQxMFy-4GDNronuKCelhHph1UtjX5KBQqKdLYrjvcHLaGLDp-waYrioh-iGOqgfy-24PbSDYjUzrOLpj84nXJLOn_jlGheDl53h_SFMqTIQEgUO4HZ_g/w300-h400/P1100762.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Aren't these little bear buttons the cutest. They finish off this cardigan perfectly. I bought these from Spring Into Wool, a yarn show held at Leeds Grammar School, last year.</p><p>I'll leave it there for this post but there's more baby knits, and crochet, to come!</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-79073331512710529412024-03-07T09:03:00.000+00:002024-03-07T09:03:44.566+00:00Exciting News!<p>I've been keeping a little secret. I'm going to be a Grandma!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFFzbzFDE9tdwig9AQKK2Z5z-upMONSEWRBNasmJRdzioSqF1pMUnAo5pvu1Op2uEjuAcjv5eOhRYtmjJEW-SkHchZGyV9ZGTecn0YDFirB4WlbyiOhvR3dK3z0uMyLTFGpppbd9a4s5ggRA_9c5_Wl0rOh0xzGZ08Qi27juyOj0rzVZyMFWoaTeOD9U/s800/P1120515%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFFzbzFDE9tdwig9AQKK2Z5z-upMONSEWRBNasmJRdzioSqF1pMUnAo5pvu1Op2uEjuAcjv5eOhRYtmjJEW-SkHchZGyV9ZGTecn0YDFirB4WlbyiOhvR3dK3z0uMyLTFGpppbd9a4s5ggRA_9c5_Wl0rOh0xzGZ08Qi27juyOj0rzVZyMFWoaTeOD9U/w400-h300/P1120515%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Eleanor and Jacob are expecting a baby in June. As you can imagine, we're all very excited, we haven't had a baby in the family for many years so it will be very spoilt. I've been bursting to tell everyone but we've kept the news to family and close friends until now, and they haven't known very long either.</p><p>They don't want to find out whether it's a girl or a boy before the birth so it's going to be a lovely surprise for us all. It does mean that I'm having to knit gender neutral things but I couldn't resist a little pair of pink and a little pair of blue socks. I don't think Eleanor's really into pink for a girl and blue for a boy anyway so I don't think colours will matter very much.</p><p>Eleanor was only twelve when I started this blog and I know that many of you have been with me since then so you'll have seen her grow up, leave school, go to university, get married, and now you join us in this next step of her life, becoming a mum. The time has gone so quickly, I can't believe that Mick and I are onto the next phase of our own lives, becoming grandparents. </p><p>Eleanor and Jacob will be brilliant parents, I know, and the baby is going to be very lucky to have them as their mum and dad.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-65294961909388678302024-02-29T09:42:00.000+00:002024-02-29T09:42:09.163+00:00February 2024<p>February is the month I look forward to the least, though it's passed quite quickly this year, even though we've had an extra day because of the leap year. We've only had one day of snow this month but it's been very wet with plenty of rain. The cold weather hasn't been as prolonged as it is some years, and though we did get a dip where it was freezing, we've also had many mild periods where the mercury has hit double figures at various points throughout the month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyZpKp4qAW9Rh5Zz6MPDHfszR24imLD-3BDDKPXSoB1ZEjhONIgwTQtAkBKDUAdcy8iYd2_R9_x44aWo8zqX7A19CS6045cNaAQ1RKMrrEbhS78KXIk6le39MudMKHp3AwIdmvPuD7f7fovXfHNqSCPsBkMd5fNX3AcrrpBKnybBtvHmyV-mAhDcg3GM/s800/IMG_3963.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiyZpKp4qAW9Rh5Zz6MPDHfszR24imLD-3BDDKPXSoB1ZEjhONIgwTQtAkBKDUAdcy8iYd2_R9_x44aWo8zqX7A19CS6045cNaAQ1RKMrrEbhS78KXIk6le39MudMKHp3AwIdmvPuD7f7fovXfHNqSCPsBkMd5fNX3AcrrpBKnybBtvHmyV-mAhDcg3GM/w400-h300/IMG_3963.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've had some lovely days out this month. We've wrapped up well against the cold on some of our outings but other days we've been lucky and had some glorious sunshine. The photo above shows the market square in Masham which is lined with independent shops. Unfortunately, the wool shop was closed when we visited.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wTK1BlTV0gyr919jPxvCNUqxc82MpmAHzJrJpDnFPXcmoqlElVPpsfmZHS3r3PGcWHJyWzHlqgnyrMaNUhSSMtd0dB4PC7rVbhM8tGS4nLtNMzfsIN-nGHeL0FdWk5iMldVbiaBZVONu0z6d4WZPQOcCcMlfangYMIirJs53C_YZoDKHI310Kr-UUFc/s800/IMG_3943.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wTK1BlTV0gyr919jPxvCNUqxc82MpmAHzJrJpDnFPXcmoqlElVPpsfmZHS3r3PGcWHJyWzHlqgnyrMaNUhSSMtd0dB4PC7rVbhM8tGS4nLtNMzfsIN-nGHeL0FdWk5iMldVbiaBZVONu0z6d4WZPQOcCcMlfangYMIirJs53C_YZoDKHI310Kr-UUFc/w400-h300/IMG_3943.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I saw that an old friend who I haven't seen for a number of years was having an art exhibition so we travelled to North Yorkshire to see that. Unfortunately, she wasn't there at the time, it would have been nice to catch up with her, but her artwork is stunning. Many of her paintings are inspired by Yorkshire's coast and countryside.</p><p>My reading mojo has returned and I read three books in February, two of those were over 600 pages each in length.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7fAz6ZY6KWqEWTz95XhsRTLgjnrtaJcidsjQ_gnUHbrVw114tGoqdr0SHbmMsfz87Zn6mJn3If8_rQqb32R2eWlr8jnqDeCJw5UDdZNPDSyR7zo_jrDVfji4nqQhQpMMn3_xRyqAAeFaTGj56cplqJa_rwT309zl2TfYx_OThQTOYueKajYr2WNNJqk/s800/P1120389.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7fAz6ZY6KWqEWTz95XhsRTLgjnrtaJcidsjQ_gnUHbrVw114tGoqdr0SHbmMsfz87Zn6mJn3If8_rQqb32R2eWlr8jnqDeCJw5UDdZNPDSyR7zo_jrDVfji4nqQhQpMMn3_xRyqAAeFaTGj56cplqJa_rwT309zl2TfYx_OThQTOYueKajYr2WNNJqk/w150-h200/P1120389.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley.<div><br /></div><div>"Maia D'Aplièse and her five sisters gather together at their childhood home - a fabulous, secluded castle situated on the shores of Lake Geneva - having been told that their beloved adoptive father, the elusive billionaire they call Pa Salt, has died. Each of them is handed a tantalising clue to their true heritage - a clue which takes Maia across the world to a crumbling mansion in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil...</div><div><br /></div><div>Eighty years earlier, in the Belle Époque of Rio, 1927, Izabela Bonifacio's father has aspirations for his daughter to marry into aristocracy. But Izabela longs for adventure, and convinces him to allow her to accompany the family of a renowned architect on a trip to Paris. In the heady, vibrant streets of Montparnasse, she meets ambitious young sculptor Laurent Brouilly, and knows at once that her life will never be the same again."</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd read some fantastic reviews of the Seven Sisters series and these are what made me want to read these books, but I got off to a slow start with this one and wasn't sure that it was for me. I could have easily given up on it, but I'm so pleased that I persevered because once I got into it properly, I absolutely loved it.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story takes us from Switzerland in the present day to Brazil back in the 1920s where Maia, the eldest of the Seven Sisters, discovers her ancestry. I really enjoyed the history in the book and as is so often the case when reading about periods of history, it sent me off to Google to learn more about certain aspects. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm really looking forward to reading the second book in the series now, in fact, it took all my willpower to not reach for it straight away but I shall spread them out a little and prolong the enjoyment.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJvB4QDm1-2BW1BkcrhyphenhyphenEH3m4sn9msY39zcFi4XtS7wrE0_52RMYLzXM94jY1jYznWInIW6GkFyO2Zp9sR4T_eNPMt2kFaj9Rp3m9VlLPwidrXuKS5zrVhwVzgPB0x8ghT98uFUX-Jtj9VS5fvmnjjqRV4an7hAoVJnJS4HTJMBp_U_YJ5z_0UWdcA20/s800/P1120524.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJvB4QDm1-2BW1BkcrhyphenhyphenEH3m4sn9msY39zcFi4XtS7wrE0_52RMYLzXM94jY1jYznWInIW6GkFyO2Zp9sR4T_eNPMt2kFaj9Rp3m9VlLPwidrXuKS5zrVhwVzgPB0x8ghT98uFUX-Jtj9VS5fvmnjjqRV4an7hAoVJnJS4HTJMBp_U_YJ5z_0UWdcA20/w150-h200/P1120524.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Queen of Our Times by Robert Hardman.<div><br /></div><div>"The definitive new biography of Her Majesty the Queen by one of Britain's leading royal authorities.</div><div><br /></div><div>With original insights from family, friends and staff, new interviews with world leaders, new photographs and papers, including diaries and letters from the Royal Archives, bestselling author Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest-reigning monarch in this compellingly authoritative yet intimate biography.</div><div><br /></div><div>Elizabeth II was not born to be Queen. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the era of Covid-19, she has proved an astute, pragmatic and quietly determined stateswoman, leading her people through seventy years of unprecedented social change. She has faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, rescued the Commonwealth, charmed (and chastened) fellow heads of state, been criticized as well as feted by the media, and steered her family through the turbulence of life in the public eye.</div><div><br /></div><div>Queen of Our Times is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger, tragedy and triumph. It is an enthralling portrait of a leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the throne aged twenty-five."</div><div><br /></div><div>Mick bought me this book for Christmas 2022 and I've only just got round to reading it. It was written prior to the Queen dying in September of that year.</div><div><br /></div><div>An interesting read which starts from the Queen's birth and ends just months before her death. As you would expect, there's a lot of politics included which some may find quite boring, I didn't, and it's definitely written as one may expect a royalist to write about a member of the royal family, quite a one sided view in my opinion with little criticism, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I've definitely learnt things about the Queen and the royal family which I didn't know before and it was an entertaining read.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V2Z1ZQ6p-fOfbZByNagDLzPZ5he8a6MUP_qJwj6YYE1NnVqbU8IH7edCRzqLJDrVjteldDeEmGtMGg6IFMoF981U2x3gRtq75PEVmYNC-91hcq4dAN-YAvBaBJVa2zGdD6wPC_iJ5Y8FN8f6c07nw0YcpYG9djcEpQXHseESfQMzhm5UZ7XvH36_Rx4/s787/P1120703.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="787" data-original-width="547" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8V2Z1ZQ6p-fOfbZByNagDLzPZ5he8a6MUP_qJwj6YYE1NnVqbU8IH7edCRzqLJDrVjteldDeEmGtMGg6IFMoF981U2x3gRtq75PEVmYNC-91hcq4dAN-YAvBaBJVa2zGdD6wPC_iJ5Y8FN8f6c07nw0YcpYG9djcEpQXHseESfQMzhm5UZ7XvH36_Rx4/w139-h200/P1120703.JPG" width="139" /></a></div>Fresh from the Country by Miss Read.<div><br /></div><div>"'All behind chairs! Quickly now! I want to introduce you to your new teacher.'</div><div><br /></div><div>'Miss Read' in this humorous and charming story draws us magically into the world of the primary school. Anna Lacey, a young country girl, is given her first job in Greater London, and as she learns to cope with the challenges of her new life, we share with her the delights and pleasures of teaching 'those dear, devilish, delicious, disarming, infuriating and exhausting creatures' which are her young pupils."</div><div><br /></div><div>After finishing the Fairacre and Thrush Green series it's been a delight to return to this author and read another of her standalone stories. This story takes us away from the countryside to a new housing development where a teacher fresh out of training college is struggling with huge class numbers. Quite different from the two Miss Read series mentioned but just as enjoyable. As always, the book is littered with references to the seasons and nature which brings the story to life, and there are some very memorable characters.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCimvvk4YU3h9vuZC-p0ZtmhTZjrMvC5qYSWrMrRE_CfcIgKuw4ga1CvHU3rCWxMDhmsYKj4s9RTaHM4fUrDTAfJrkGBGH8ZRNeJWpit5xdJ0Qt6DGVIxH1xG1JswTbxqMZMxc91IHENwtt_PQVCgnJZ5y1FVKy6265asUZ2rj9fCrCJvaWwuXUk_uFWA/s800/P1120498.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCimvvk4YU3h9vuZC-p0ZtmhTZjrMvC5qYSWrMrRE_CfcIgKuw4ga1CvHU3rCWxMDhmsYKj4s9RTaHM4fUrDTAfJrkGBGH8ZRNeJWpit5xdJ0Qt6DGVIxH1xG1JswTbxqMZMxc91IHENwtt_PQVCgnJZ5y1FVKy6265asUZ2rj9fCrCJvaWwuXUk_uFWA/w400-h300/P1120498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I've been filling my vases with daffodils this month. At just £1 a bunch, they're a cheap way to bring some sunshine indoors during the drab days of winter. I did a little research whilst shopping, you get ten stems in Marks & Spencer, nine in Sainsbury's and just eight in Tesco, and they all charge the same, £1. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuGNT9z4WZbmiDHhvXyi7kLgGimpp5CaonuH0qPKHIbln1YFc7AETdiRAQoil0Zh5h0K1SVtTcIWIkX7ITM73XLbeeaPKZdN-z_pjUwdMRXLakOE7t7D7dYsTfQPiSrTsDHmjvm0yEG09fcJK0BhvxjoOHnKlQTWb-ljgGTwbS533SOB4R1vqwcbqfYo/s799/P1120766%20-%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="799" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPuGNT9z4WZbmiDHhvXyi7kLgGimpp5CaonuH0qPKHIbln1YFc7AETdiRAQoil0Zh5h0K1SVtTcIWIkX7ITM73XLbeeaPKZdN-z_pjUwdMRXLakOE7t7D7dYsTfQPiSrTsDHmjvm0yEG09fcJK0BhvxjoOHnKlQTWb-ljgGTwbS533SOB4R1vqwcbqfYo/w400-h251/P1120766%20-%20Copy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It was Daniel's birthday on the 19th. One of the things I love about having my children living close by is that I get to see them on these important dates. It wouldn't be for another few days though that all six of us were free on an evening to help him celebrate. We got a takeaway, burgers for some and pizza for others, games were played and a good time was had by all.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B6r3HZW_G5iyulEcFUGrH8zgJLbkyqxEh-YP05l1LiXHF5b8TmYW3fQnHbsqN1PnPwGEMix_u4nbx6jq0efHGjB3utiruiQYF_xxG57hw9H73gge1DPEEfIV76Z-b2x9oOBI2SEKw1YwsWq3zRU6ze1qoIVwITK6r25-iOvKLMcZ-Rz_uJdYCib-BzM/s300/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8B6r3HZW_G5iyulEcFUGrH8zgJLbkyqxEh-YP05l1LiXHF5b8TmYW3fQnHbsqN1PnPwGEMix_u4nbx6jq0efHGjB3utiruiQYF_xxG57hw9H73gge1DPEEfIV76Z-b2x9oOBI2SEKw1YwsWq3zRU6ze1qoIVwITK6r25-iOvKLMcZ-Rz_uJdYCib-BzM/w400-h224/download.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I read One Day ten years ago and prior to that I'd caught bits of the film as Eleanor used to watch it almost on a loop, alternating it with Friends, they were on so often in the background that I could recite them word for word, haha. One Day begins on the date of Dexter and Emma's graduation, the 15th of July 1988, and then shows a snapshot of their lives on that same date over the next twenty years. I think part of the charm for Eleanor was that the 15th of July is her birthday. Netflix has made a series of One Day and it's had such good reviews that I thought I'd watch it. I found it quite hard going at first and almost switched off but I kept going and I enjoyed it. It's not something I'd rave about but that's just my opinion, apparently people have been taking time off sick from work just to binge watch it. Netflix are now in discussions with the author, David Nicholls, to dramatise his new book, You Are Here, which is another tearjerker.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're now at the end of February so we're able to look forward and welcome Spring in the not too distant future. I long for this time all winter and it's finally arrived, though I'm sure we've still got some wintery weather to contend with before we can say that Spring is truly here. Mick's got some time booked off work at the end of the month so I'm looking forward to that. It would be nice if we got a little sunshine then.</div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-15075468842406397552024-02-23T10:29:00.000+00:002024-02-23T10:29:30.156+00:00Habitation Throw<p>I started the Habitation Throw back in August of last year. I won a pattern prize on the My Yarny Corner podcast and I chose this, it's been a lovely blanket to knit. The pattern is by Helen Stewart and it's written in a way so that you can use whatever amount and weight of yarn you've got, or make the blanket the size of your own choosing. It's knit on larger needles than usual for the yarn weight you choose, so the blanket is light and airy and has a nice drape. It doesn't need much concentration so it's what I've been reaching for on an evening when I've been watching TV.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqUGG0Y5lZIiuyxAjOG3Vgylx3xk_iV1FQGcDnWtgMXIUOgMgsZPyrHcjkq1foWMB-qAR_H8Q2vWU6IIfVJykXThS2K4b5-h6PI-syxrKRXFBFdWcrXamu2LB0n4F6PB0P-zRaKWqJOhkZBq-5LNNnphEHVAFbNX6re8E1VNaAogDlbhZMSVxRJxtAUI/s799/P1120743.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="799" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqUGG0Y5lZIiuyxAjOG3Vgylx3xk_iV1FQGcDnWtgMXIUOgMgsZPyrHcjkq1foWMB-qAR_H8Q2vWU6IIfVJykXThS2K4b5-h6PI-syxrKRXFBFdWcrXamu2LB0n4F6PB0P-zRaKWqJOhkZBq-5LNNnphEHVAFbNX6re8E1VNaAogDlbhZMSVxRJxtAUI/w400-h285/P1120743.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The colours are very mismatched and haphazard but that was the plan, it was a project to use up some of the yarn I received in my yarny advent calendars which I opened in 2021 and 2022. Those advent calendars were a collaboration between many different yarn dyers and as such, the colours of each mini skein didn't follow any sort of order. I think it's fun how it's worked out though, such a riot of colour. It's been interesting to try yarn from so many different dyers, there's a few in there which I really enjoyed so I may purchase more of their yarn in the future.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcIZa3TjbOFeMHj_6MN_cLte3ebfZwaRDbPgOmJRscU14Hs2mSmrn5AN_QqkviUYE6vWGSdM-g-9WK9RCXSSORuadmr626gbxvYN-fpoI4T8fXf7ZEsR1_i8Jbsx9g7ctlRWHzdx9F-Dv27Pjd3bbD4r-cS_yHubn0wesnM6WUIf6Xw_HbPveO6c20nY/s800/P1120760.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcIZa3TjbOFeMHj_6MN_cLte3ebfZwaRDbPgOmJRscU14Hs2mSmrn5AN_QqkviUYE6vWGSdM-g-9WK9RCXSSORuadmr626gbxvYN-fpoI4T8fXf7ZEsR1_i8Jbsx9g7ctlRWHzdx9F-Dv27Pjd3bbD4r-cS_yHubn0wesnM6WUIf6Xw_HbPveO6c20nY/w400-h300/P1120760.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love how the i-cord edging is knit as you go so that you don't have to add it at the end. It finishes it off beautifully too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnPawfqe62qNnm-PgCyQEPsKx3Io9BPWNrl4KYWQkBhsnpxThpeHvjNQWVN6OIu5PbI70GxKhcNsRzBeKa7N_Q0UB9i-bDEa74-fQG5Zz9kjXBW7TZxVBfdpWHaZNAIbEn4r3puRvhUWg7YZxv_t3OpCI7ez41kdgs5IT5YesZ93Zf_NW29IvVJSI2TY/s800/P1120750.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnPawfqe62qNnm-PgCyQEPsKx3Io9BPWNrl4KYWQkBhsnpxThpeHvjNQWVN6OIu5PbI70GxKhcNsRzBeKa7N_Q0UB9i-bDEa74-fQG5Zz9kjXBW7TZxVBfdpWHaZNAIbEn4r3puRvhUWg7YZxv_t3OpCI7ez41kdgs5IT5YesZ93Zf_NW29IvVJSI2TY/w300-h400/P1120750.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I shall get back to my mitred square blanket again now that this is finished, I've still got quite a few squares on that one to go before it's finished but like the Habitation Throw, it's an easy knit which is what my brain needs at the end of the day.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-9649726538891953512024-02-18T10:02:00.000+00:002024-02-18T10:02:06.957+00:00Fountains Abbey<p>We had a trip to Fountains Abbey yesterday. One of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England, it's now run by the National Trust.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8cKgpPp4gBU9204Ek_e6iH-PA-3BWUAQr0suYke6Ddhyzhsqh7AU8IcwQAEVh72Bdj98DN9jlgqdu2pW2zHzI-0twfdkkzoPL1xedC9fTG5HdQ-iqQj8hbPYyLHIwijWHkScCMmZYj8G2KOnJM0qpJAzzZ8XJpvXs2CLKaJKiX8Roviv67D3eNV4Qsk/s800/P1120617.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK8cKgpPp4gBU9204Ek_e6iH-PA-3BWUAQr0suYke6Ddhyzhsqh7AU8IcwQAEVh72Bdj98DN9jlgqdu2pW2zHzI-0twfdkkzoPL1xedC9fTG5HdQ-iqQj8hbPYyLHIwijWHkScCMmZYj8G2KOnJM0qpJAzzZ8XJpvXs2CLKaJKiX8Roviv67D3eNV4Qsk/w400-h300/P1120617.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The first glimpse of the Abbey. We don't often visit National Trust properties as historically, dogs haven't been very welcome at the properties we've been interested in, but I think the National Trust have become more dog friendly in recent years. They now give their properties a pawprint rating according to the facilities available for dogs. Fountains Abbey has a three pawprint rating which shows it's amongst the best places you can visit with a dog. Dogs are allowed in all outdoor spaces throughout the grounds at Fountains Abbey, however, they must be kept on a short lead. They're also welcome in the visitor restaurant.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxTenDv-G3nlRpLB8KvCJUMjok0IHgo9NqRMb6kzboZBtt9umv-Irq51stHMsaqiGmaApCtX42N7zHHzfZ-hINVI9K2qmfdfCd_Em3MW8R5P2Owg2-lEK4vm60f-wHuLEEeQ4aLCHaeUtEfGz-SNLmiCDFD6-EJlIC0yCnxyxu281pmetS890medDNqI/s800/P1120621.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxTenDv-G3nlRpLB8KvCJUMjok0IHgo9NqRMb6kzboZBtt9umv-Irq51stHMsaqiGmaApCtX42N7zHHzfZ-hINVI9K2qmfdfCd_Em3MW8R5P2Owg2-lEK4vm60f-wHuLEEeQ4aLCHaeUtEfGz-SNLmiCDFD6-EJlIC0yCnxyxu281pmetS890medDNqI/w400-h300/P1120621.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>To reach the abbey there's a downhill walk from the main entrance. As you follow the meandering path you get tantalising glimpses of what's to come.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxKxenhT3YeNPNYhPetQQKkUw4uCnk1GOAq8utOn7bW4c5Dqx_gxGVeek5VltKXpISAJX0JYSNhylkuQ6Zw-yxAryMdHv5DveLW7ZQJBu59oTtB_IlKq3nvLYeeah35IsCveyEA10dFfibd_Z67_5YnMSMzIUAOpbM_KWa0Lnhyphenhypheng7GQcGLuMdeEZLJWA/s800/P1120625.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxKxenhT3YeNPNYhPetQQKkUw4uCnk1GOAq8utOn7bW4c5Dqx_gxGVeek5VltKXpISAJX0JYSNhylkuQ6Zw-yxAryMdHv5DveLW7ZQJBu59oTtB_IlKq3nvLYeeah35IsCveyEA10dFfibd_Z67_5YnMSMzIUAOpbM_KWa0Lnhyphenhypheng7GQcGLuMdeEZLJWA/w400-h300/P1120625.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The verges are littered with snowdrops at the moment, and the odd pheasant too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuhY0yf4VuhI3mx7zyyzdpByJMvZfcjmQcshW87bw1-tRlttMGwdiN4RNew1V7jVHF4YjcFttKvF7jA27ZiaQEQWjfLHxzBGEHuNEfW2WhpFBby5TIisB89GHgBcCtV79PWjxmY7473FC4vfJx7H40XRk2unI46KhVhS2savGwJZp7YzMBWfx2DK0oqI/s800/P1120631.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiuhY0yf4VuhI3mx7zyyzdpByJMvZfcjmQcshW87bw1-tRlttMGwdiN4RNew1V7jVHF4YjcFttKvF7jA27ZiaQEQWjfLHxzBGEHuNEfW2WhpFBby5TIisB89GHgBcCtV79PWjxmY7473FC4vfJx7H40XRk2unI46KhVhS2savGwJZp7YzMBWfx2DK0oqI/w400-h300/P1120631.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As you reach the bottom you're rewarded with the impressive sight of the Abbey.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu5iIUzM65H22hlUg_X0uEa7kSfMx63sXDDnNISCk3IlkkuRzIdUEF4assHV2T4Eg_7QkYDm0tkOHTIDalNhq6jXdQ_3QzXjMUNAWQlkFWghRylSR4Ujp0ZJgAeY6CiqkkutlHgfh-VQ4m75eZu-H6WyS8hxeAJhmQMXx-iVO4GA2YYk1Ct-ATblGXck/s800/P1120632.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWu5iIUzM65H22hlUg_X0uEa7kSfMx63sXDDnNISCk3IlkkuRzIdUEF4assHV2T4Eg_7QkYDm0tkOHTIDalNhq6jXdQ_3QzXjMUNAWQlkFWghRylSR4Ujp0ZJgAeY6CiqkkutlHgfh-VQ4m75eZu-H6WyS8hxeAJhmQMXx-iVO4GA2YYk1Ct-ATblGXck/w300-h400/P1120632.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Fountains Abbey was founded in 1132 and operated for 407 years until it closed in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries which was ordered by Henry VIII.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW0ft392lCYeuNIHlC4GtnSetkmQ2v3W1Eg7XQFG-1gmFK1Jwc2vwvOml0vXex3OIDKheqxAJEX1JFZWhsCPnwtxh0qaY8YBWYIsYi16jILxMMMd2B4iRo0g3bQ71Bt8uHfrULH78D5oYnTvrTDp0m0GEXNVd6S5CGVZ1M4XWW1mO6deJGYQzx6iz7Q8/s800/P1120635.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW0ft392lCYeuNIHlC4GtnSetkmQ2v3W1Eg7XQFG-1gmFK1Jwc2vwvOml0vXex3OIDKheqxAJEX1JFZWhsCPnwtxh0qaY8YBWYIsYi16jILxMMMd2B4iRo0g3bQ71Bt8uHfrULH78D5oYnTvrTDp0m0GEXNVd6S5CGVZ1M4XWW1mO6deJGYQzx6iz7Q8/w300-h400/P1120635.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Set in the valley of the River Skell, the Abbey had access to water and was sheltered from the worst of the weather. Six springs watered the site which led to it being named Fountains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bAvc0OlHNiDjO_4hzvVUntAjXba12Joco66qh_lJIbPUUHFy4mLDz8jow4VA7E13QEnkdCTV7PV9PcaGKP82JAxhIAkNDsks6AHNyGKPf3rFS_1qK8eZoeepHUgLN0geD6HzUNGcOEBLNzLFA8ZqHlUCQ8Sl5NYGONMQSumyo84g-8Zt5mid5ivYObU/s800/P1120637.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8bAvc0OlHNiDjO_4hzvVUntAjXba12Joco66qh_lJIbPUUHFy4mLDz8jow4VA7E13QEnkdCTV7PV9PcaGKP82JAxhIAkNDsks6AHNyGKPf3rFS_1qK8eZoeepHUgLN0geD6HzUNGcOEBLNzLFA8ZqHlUCQ8Sl5NYGONMQSumyo84g-8Zt5mid5ivYObU/w300-h400/P1120637.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Visitors are able to walk amongst the ruins, inside the walls as well as out. It gives a real insight to what the Abbey would have been like hundreds of years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQQ_bZAeQx9x9B1cC1H3d-rcld05yzDPS_Vif-WkHAB8wSaRqy6My1mlRoZcO4y3cifKyRNzFhyftLiDxz-g8iMAUqCZHrrhESoWeHEf9yM9UcpYC6TLh2ml_Zkegv2bHFtSsDiBs3TBVrenO3ldoT096junAgNH5VwZ2KumjyLfPl7X581-CSB9LDIU/s800/P1120641.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQQ_bZAeQx9x9B1cC1H3d-rcld05yzDPS_Vif-WkHAB8wSaRqy6My1mlRoZcO4y3cifKyRNzFhyftLiDxz-g8iMAUqCZHrrhESoWeHEf9yM9UcpYC6TLh2ml_Zkegv2bHFtSsDiBs3TBVrenO3ldoT096junAgNH5VwZ2KumjyLfPl7X581-CSB9LDIU/w300-h400/P1120641.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I never forget to look up. The tops of buildings are just as impressive as the bottoms, very often more so.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGAWlqa5QtSxwkP6UnP3mlX3xVCnuw-BSpk57QtiLhHOEe_lJ0OEZIi6p-fUBZnVVZvA8WdLiS-QcNS_mBe4r2HWXR3Q5uOSFbFJh21YaXrWTD0pjpciwvCBSorGjXQcv4t20Thh0eo8w54YLA7TCosgrqJ1Yw3UK1YFoRWY4NYp3RWupw9lN6hvKyXo/s779/P1120642.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="779" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGAWlqa5QtSxwkP6UnP3mlX3xVCnuw-BSpk57QtiLhHOEe_lJ0OEZIi6p-fUBZnVVZvA8WdLiS-QcNS_mBe4r2HWXR3Q5uOSFbFJh21YaXrWTD0pjpciwvCBSorGjXQcv4t20Thh0eo8w54YLA7TCosgrqJ1Yw3UK1YFoRWY4NYp3RWupw9lN6hvKyXo/w400-h300/P1120642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There aren't many places which are cordoned off but this grass would be a mud bath if everyone was allowed to walk on it. We've had so much rain just lately that the fields we passed in the car on our way had turned to lakes.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia1ZpyjtkzJIPTgrKTnxdoAd6O88VO530ZnwMnOtTGGhVBzfOVMg5iVcfKSQlTlY35Fs9e8157lvb3h8QM9OsnneqLicj0GU8C6aVsIjQ4YmLTF-fek_kkD_VwMIbXDaArSsDQj2rtuDtz8Z1pNMg59diNMSxiyvUIolm-gy5Fn7_xgHEtOS-MJiS7_U/s782/P1120648.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="587" data-original-width="782" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgia1ZpyjtkzJIPTgrKTnxdoAd6O88VO530ZnwMnOtTGGhVBzfOVMg5iVcfKSQlTlY35Fs9e8157lvb3h8QM9OsnneqLicj0GU8C6aVsIjQ4YmLTF-fek_kkD_VwMIbXDaArSsDQj2rtuDtz8Z1pNMg59diNMSxiyvUIolm-gy5Fn7_xgHEtOS-MJiS7_U/w400-h300/P1120648.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Great Cloister. The monks observed silence here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMo0nhLN5K0TtYqPxbiB8ZF9fLtioBl-NNeCIOUJ2m5bMl2pNHZlL0ViOKNFcld8UDs02cjxpphKf2rrT2cg35oIbFI1fjcPhtbxAFh4bmUXqARDGA7JvLonvHQteLjNRov5R3z9zSo4jFTv0Ou0xeE-YRsL-Lzw3TC9YH5r7SK7-VcJB6jifZ4TgYak/s800/P1120644.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMo0nhLN5K0TtYqPxbiB8ZF9fLtioBl-NNeCIOUJ2m5bMl2pNHZlL0ViOKNFcld8UDs02cjxpphKf2rrT2cg35oIbFI1fjcPhtbxAFh4bmUXqARDGA7JvLonvHQteLjNRov5R3z9zSo4jFTv0Ou0xeE-YRsL-Lzw3TC9YH5r7SK7-VcJB6jifZ4TgYak/w400-h300/P1120644.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You can see the vaulted ceiling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9rVNkmAbgwQ8qx80gaDiPRQ-QJXLQLJNOEZNaeKg4QCcEN05_ptnyKDg71CY8epGaMvw2CKY6PD3uc7a8G_k6EuiJr3-zTT1Uv9eW2vLupCRPQle5xTlAR1BuTd47SCwMauRCh_MSxmd9tCzt7qEqVQgwLwZTquVNLufWaMq8bU5W2qT4Hobhngf2XY/s800/P1120651.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9rVNkmAbgwQ8qx80gaDiPRQ-QJXLQLJNOEZNaeKg4QCcEN05_ptnyKDg71CY8epGaMvw2CKY6PD3uc7a8G_k6EuiJr3-zTT1Uv9eW2vLupCRPQle5xTlAR1BuTd47SCwMauRCh_MSxmd9tCzt7qEqVQgwLwZTquVNLufWaMq8bU5W2qT4Hobhngf2XY/w300-h400/P1120651.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>A closer look. It's impressive to see it up close.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcYBCWHpLWnqp4p1WGLmqyblzDh5ZXK5gg4aAdCiNywX6dCnfFIsSW1x0uJ59QmTPCDsePzU_i6KtenpeUXkljIxUqtK-mpbtMyWpAdbdw9nDWpAuKYazs-8cC-9rI5zUo_JMZEaTPqmzR8pypjFkxA3bVeKf3V2vxQdaqpNXM_U83KzfrHFiXzKL9TQ/s791/P1120654.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="791" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcYBCWHpLWnqp4p1WGLmqyblzDh5ZXK5gg4aAdCiNywX6dCnfFIsSW1x0uJ59QmTPCDsePzU_i6KtenpeUXkljIxUqtK-mpbtMyWpAdbdw9nDWpAuKYazs-8cC-9rI5zUo_JMZEaTPqmzR8pypjFkxA3bVeKf3V2vxQdaqpNXM_U83KzfrHFiXzKL9TQ/w400-h300/P1120654.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We were going to visit Fountains Abbey before Christmas when they had an after dark experience with the Abbey illuminated and choral music playing but we didn't get round to it. I can imagine it being a very atmospheric experience, perhaps we'll manage it this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib114ip6fET5Y0tI9F-3y1LWSY3bhqVE9tRFRnycVoN0xHLHXt0upyeNwVQvCFLuQk-zxNFrJx_c1yOiygEYTuBia6YY01VQWhx1dYz38tIF1H16HKbvcFrkRIcfNbk6vzoQlO8hoWAgpI4yiF5bLLLup8Y51rTcW8IgPYI6gh3zcmpu1dUbXOvQyaQ14/s800/P1120657.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib114ip6fET5Y0tI9F-3y1LWSY3bhqVE9tRFRnycVoN0xHLHXt0upyeNwVQvCFLuQk-zxNFrJx_c1yOiygEYTuBia6YY01VQWhx1dYz38tIF1H16HKbvcFrkRIcfNbk6vzoQlO8hoWAgpI4yiF5bLLLup8Y51rTcW8IgPYI6gh3zcmpu1dUbXOvQyaQ14/w400-h300/P1120657.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Alongside the Abbey is Studley Royal Water Garden. We didn't visit on this occasion for two reasons, Archie can't walk too far these days and I'm suffering with my back again so longer walks are out of the question at the moment. We will return and visit Studley Royal in the future though. The Abbey itself is set in beautiful grounds though.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5v5pb44EBzbPaZe8HLx-tpgtUEcvHZQmcYz8fNrKbe0yfe0PdWZFWaOxU-Tsu_hFI-CBIY_5tKHehqFeg-mpKlWQI6ttSIR7ep4-TEi-GSLX0mpRlmhqZI5tJsl6dM1-TXPnyxjuyXH1vZf1cC54h_BiF2r1t1linTOvdYw-aHqOtVletkSU7sUTsLU/s800/P1120676.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5v5pb44EBzbPaZe8HLx-tpgtUEcvHZQmcYz8fNrKbe0yfe0PdWZFWaOxU-Tsu_hFI-CBIY_5tKHehqFeg-mpKlWQI6ttSIR7ep4-TEi-GSLX0mpRlmhqZI5tJsl6dM1-TXPnyxjuyXH1vZf1cC54h_BiF2r1t1linTOvdYw-aHqOtVletkSU7sUTsLU/w400-h300/P1120676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Although it was a rather dull day, there were plenty of visitors. It was still so tranquil though with the sound of running water as you walk through the grounds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3RsJ_lhZ2G76TKZW7Odws8-9aMF9hmLVuqDIl3jXFJM49CYNussP2gsDV614zbhCCUTHLaPKhp3UTdocUZdZBZRFfchxD0mqrtRWVHsdheszZtkx0t-2OmIiTchl3LvSIYHFelplmzpzfneYgTDmvGGgzRz6x2IluUvleMfEeiPP6mLhxMRrpQkra3Y/s800/P1120684.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3RsJ_lhZ2G76TKZW7Odws8-9aMF9hmLVuqDIl3jXFJM49CYNussP2gsDV614zbhCCUTHLaPKhp3UTdocUZdZBZRFfchxD0mqrtRWVHsdheszZtkx0t-2OmIiTchl3LvSIYHFelplmzpzfneYgTDmvGGgzRz6x2IluUvleMfEeiPP6mLhxMRrpQkra3Y/w400-h300/P1120684.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It's a photographers paradise too, so many photo opportunities.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFz4SF9njki5PkkjezeXhPH4vX_G4lPybQZQTd_lI14ep5_-FyRNBUuWbVlTlbOIZgA1Wj4h_9sIet01j7J_3Tk4sP8r7fSfjV9b2Yc9PtQc-f4VB9gTrU7XVRwuqSxoIwIHs1uEAgBFvXbbtlbL0O2kM7DL3PLr3mWPum-YIKWeVa0YkLkaZDcrdJe4/s800/P1120688.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFz4SF9njki5PkkjezeXhPH4vX_G4lPybQZQTd_lI14ep5_-FyRNBUuWbVlTlbOIZgA1Wj4h_9sIet01j7J_3Tk4sP8r7fSfjV9b2Yc9PtQc-f4VB9gTrU7XVRwuqSxoIwIHs1uEAgBFvXbbtlbL0O2kM7DL3PLr3mWPum-YIKWeVa0YkLkaZDcrdJe4/w400-h300/P1120688.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I think this photo shows how extensive Fountains Abbey is, and this isn't all of it. There's enough here for a full day out and plenty of space for children to let off steam.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyYQ9cN5-N8Tirrun5HiE_TyWsT26Mr3HUiH8ZmdkY-fSgXoaveYZq2U4W68XS5ydJsxufsMtuETKXQGZabanm70DLcmvBd79MWAOA-gsgr-xqmDHJQds0gp9dhJXxHQz0wxK8hMMu68RhnigXxcjOtc8NmQnt7rJRqFBtha7JICVB2KiNy-slML3GNs/s800/P1120693.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyYQ9cN5-N8Tirrun5HiE_TyWsT26Mr3HUiH8ZmdkY-fSgXoaveYZq2U4W68XS5ydJsxufsMtuETKXQGZabanm70DLcmvBd79MWAOA-gsgr-xqmDHJQds0gp9dhJXxHQz0wxK8hMMu68RhnigXxcjOtc8NmQnt7rJRqFBtha7JICVB2KiNy-slML3GNs/w400-h300/P1120693.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We're thinking of taking out a National Trust subscription. It's something we've considered in the past but now that dogs seem to be welcomed at more properties than they once were, I think it would be worth it. We do enjoy our days out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHBhp5lfwiYBE-PphLEgwfEuAdswu1Esxw-d3DEVQPgGX8d_3Myvwsj5uT7go231PEt6FmrmkS2Jp5xZW1fhpuAE9e8Dvf1ClNnsRwnerOKOE0qyHOSphSRoS6C7HFJKVF_f3oebMKqKfYpfbt-oFWy3rZKEDiR75iQBciu7x7P1g4SoNo5Li2e1VNmk/s800/P1120694.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHBhp5lfwiYBE-PphLEgwfEuAdswu1Esxw-d3DEVQPgGX8d_3Myvwsj5uT7go231PEt6FmrmkS2Jp5xZW1fhpuAE9e8Dvf1ClNnsRwnerOKOE0qyHOSphSRoS6C7HFJKVF_f3oebMKqKfYpfbt-oFWy3rZKEDiR75iQBciu7x7P1g4SoNo5Li2e1VNmk/w400-h300/P1120694.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>On the way back to the car we passed Swanlea Grange. The grange once farmed the area to the west side of Studley Royal Water Gardens. Inside an old farm building is a display of wool which the National Trust staff have dyed using natural materials.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OrDlH8ZVLeA5eJx2BeT1iaOT5konMcDA944k1wJDVWoYOHOgdy6U4a91rtWw_j8i91zbgHSLliEgwV9C3xECO505mt5U_BuWQhncua-q4TOnryElls0OuF29v9ZOnBmrHsv1MxucDWU2h6Rl5skOaSxknFnAdxCyAvLxzA2vCgZ9wwT-t4cRqRpcjs4/s800/P1120699.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OrDlH8ZVLeA5eJx2BeT1iaOT5konMcDA944k1wJDVWoYOHOgdy6U4a91rtWw_j8i91zbgHSLliEgwV9C3xECO505mt5U_BuWQhncua-q4TOnryElls0OuF29v9ZOnBmrHsv1MxucDWU2h6Rl5skOaSxknFnAdxCyAvLxzA2vCgZ9wwT-t4cRqRpcjs4/w300-h400/P1120699.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>This explains it better than I can.</p><p>It was a lovely day out, though the walk back from the Abbey is rather steep so I'm now resting my back. We were so lucky with the weather, it stayed fine for our whole visit and only started to rain just as we reached the car. We shall definitely return and perhaps we'll be National Trust members by the time we do.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-46136118793532899262024-02-09T10:50:00.000+00:002024-02-09T10:50:17.756+00:00York Ice Trail<p>York was hosting its annual Ice Trail last weekend and we decided to visit on the Saturday. We haven't been before, and though some of the sculptures were amazing, I doubt we'll visit again, it was just so busy. I thought it would be enjoyable wandering around the city looking out for the thirty three different sculptures but it was anything but, it seemed to just bring out the worst in people when they were jostling for a photograph. I've never encountered so many rude people in one place in one day in my life. I love York, we visit often, but I'll give the Ice Trail a miss in future.</p><p>The sculptures were sponsored by local businesses. You can pick up a map which shows you their locations.</p><p>Anyway, here are the photos I took before I gave it up as a bad job.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7BUpug-hjjCOAoJNgYECJX7UE7bsS_R6x1pti-8BrEnPobAeej6QA8R-WkvA9hlIAEl9hgZT-Qa5eQbWDxod3W1CMSOg-vEtJv4r8Cd1wTkOPfn-wX-BjkqKn6Kud_-PYbDRiKmrNLhU5-3I1Cza_rHSVBMwbkuiU8XPZ7QAfMiqHzuqFG-0xwJIoBk/s800/P1120546.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7BUpug-hjjCOAoJNgYECJX7UE7bsS_R6x1pti-8BrEnPobAeej6QA8R-WkvA9hlIAEl9hgZT-Qa5eQbWDxod3W1CMSOg-vEtJv4r8Cd1wTkOPfn-wX-BjkqKn6Kud_-PYbDRiKmrNLhU5-3I1Cza_rHSVBMwbkuiU8XPZ7QAfMiqHzuqFG-0xwJIoBk/w300-h400/P1120546.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Our City of Dreams provided by Make it York.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VHMnnsRXMLlfgfNFrt806OEB_9PhkpIE-O0AFqRLUYGwsHU1EPOyLfaOH2mdTIzzruSAERflUCcXAmpfSsQVkSEiQSSVp35vBnFNARPjdQi1wLStiHE3ZgJG1Td1dWt75LbuJStMo_kadHWEAVaGwuWX9-Vvik_PWx9DJSius5-iQXk8OobhfLmCQaA/s800/P1120532.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VHMnnsRXMLlfgfNFrt806OEB_9PhkpIE-O0AFqRLUYGwsHU1EPOyLfaOH2mdTIzzruSAERflUCcXAmpfSsQVkSEiQSSVp35vBnFNARPjdQi1wLStiHE3ZgJG1Td1dWt75LbuJStMo_kadHWEAVaGwuWX9-Vvik_PWx9DJSius5-iQXk8OobhfLmCQaA/w400-h300/P1120532.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Floating Dreams provided by Lucia Bar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYTxuVVzIElgODNs3g1rBXYPIxyiVr_Iffyr2ltfcyCnu1es_yvh4m1xbgEWOX4QdIZqd9HqqKM2YI4Vsh3XZhBjHCW-OM_OHW-JMvHlP8gpaxLna7OLGcsvi8u_pSNcXWh0UoBYH-ka9uoVrduTcV8UTtEMnphEg7x99S2DYQv_o9iv6zxnFK4N5ow/s800/P1120527.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJYTxuVVzIElgODNs3g1rBXYPIxyiVr_Iffyr2ltfcyCnu1es_yvh4m1xbgEWOX4QdIZqd9HqqKM2YI4Vsh3XZhBjHCW-OM_OHW-JMvHlP8gpaxLna7OLGcsvi8u_pSNcXWh0UoBYH-ka9uoVrduTcV8UTtEMnphEg7x99S2DYQv_o9iv6zxnFK4N5ow/w400-h300/P1120527.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Dreaming of Cut and Craft provided by Cut and Craft.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxq1VAgGCIdV-MJDS1IRn-NprOtxcmbOs5NXFe_fm8i3606kag5Vn4jfP8wWBDXYnhS5g4fuOLDZ8hskZUY4HUhdfavTs6A94alyScEc54EysSBrvY1w_lSc2EMkS4EmnSlV-V2WBL8eXSxT8g0NLvuQApBYICekS89n9HNaNFBI3JxoF6k7ZYn21yso/s800/P1120537.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxq1VAgGCIdV-MJDS1IRn-NprOtxcmbOs5NXFe_fm8i3606kag5Vn4jfP8wWBDXYnhS5g4fuOLDZ8hskZUY4HUhdfavTs6A94alyScEc54EysSBrvY1w_lSc2EMkS4EmnSlV-V2WBL8eXSxT8g0NLvuQApBYICekS89n9HNaNFBI3JxoF6k7ZYn21yso/w400-h300/P1120537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>My favourite of the day was Train of Dreams by National Railway Museum.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuBqsIYYR47Eadi0p_le9QrmoceLSGqUXNpT7g4jKWMwzUstnnpowNM79GVPPWo3ErBz0dV2DsZLGa_c4rq2DIAgkcwmB16PDGjAisrsSpvW75SkoIgVsf7CyRUy6JwYW3oHMqdaCujnmLRCepT8oZYMG-oJNN4P2SeERO_CmpR6u2SLonr4UeYE5PjA/s4608/P1120555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixuBqsIYYR47Eadi0p_le9QrmoceLSGqUXNpT7g4jKWMwzUstnnpowNM79GVPPWo3ErBz0dV2DsZLGa_c4rq2DIAgkcwmB16PDGjAisrsSpvW75SkoIgVsf7CyRUy6JwYW3oHMqdaCujnmLRCepT8oZYMG-oJNN4P2SeERO_CmpR6u2SLonr4UeYE5PjA/w300-h400/P1120555.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>City of Trees provided by Dalby Forest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn2vj78YSUD0QBF4amTVuvW_mc4aE0Aognef7J1kJyyzRyLUT5uXFflkE5ewBsNooef2Z14IgsfJ_oOmbnioIFbr1d9aeECLDKJvnBwt3hyn6Qz3ZQrvGKVH9xH-Qe6iY90m9o6Xq3zKZ_baJPigtbYrz0GG-4U9DFDSfmxycehtNw0kSD8flcA19HIw/s800/P1120552.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAn2vj78YSUD0QBF4amTVuvW_mc4aE0Aognef7J1kJyyzRyLUT5uXFflkE5ewBsNooef2Z14IgsfJ_oOmbnioIFbr1d9aeECLDKJvnBwt3hyn6Qz3ZQrvGKVH9xH-Qe6iY90m9o6Xq3zKZ_baJPigtbYrz0GG-4U9DFDSfmxycehtNw0kSD8flcA19HIw/w400-h300/P1120552.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A Journey in Ice provided by Grand Central.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oLzzzYl9u907MUvcqVFTtpxKbjeH9aSkIAD-_8oAu7eGORyYT98oYRXpyMC_atpOqGj0QoazLXQbuEkiuXY_FejR82xsRth8h1eGLFb1w2XDyZwgQo7qCQ9dm9IcBHaagWw2T_ZrwGDjacC5SKk-EcIGXzpiUJkh8XzTviwvrT6HpeZdTjnAIfnOlSA/s800/P1120533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oLzzzYl9u907MUvcqVFTtpxKbjeH9aSkIAD-_8oAu7eGORyYT98oYRXpyMC_atpOqGj0QoazLXQbuEkiuXY_FejR82xsRth8h1eGLFb1w2XDyZwgQo7qCQ9dm9IcBHaagWw2T_ZrwGDjacC5SKk-EcIGXzpiUJkh8XzTviwvrT6HpeZdTjnAIfnOlSA/w300-h400/P1120533.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Bradley's Jewellers Christmas Robin Egg provided by Bradley's Jewellers. I would have loved to have got a better photo of this, there was a second egg and a robin in the middle of it.</p><p>There was also a live carving but there wasn't a hope in hell of being able to see what was happening, the crowd was about ten people deep in places.</p><p>Not our most successful day out but we'll chalk this one down to experience, haha.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-50631379858586937452024-01-31T08:46:00.000+00:002024-01-31T08:46:29.909+00:00January 2024<p>The new year started here with illness. I'd had a bad chest and awful cough since Boxing Day, in fact, the cough still hasn't completely gone. We'd struggled through New Year's Eve with Jasmine and Eleanor also under the weather and then on New Year's Day, Mick woke up with whatever I'd had. He's not one to moan though, unlike some men who take to their beds with a cold and call it flu, he just gets on with it. I think the last day he had off work for sickness was in the last century. Anyway, we're all much better now, thank goodness.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqAXNzOtk6rZbskm1oDlyj6OUcX0GYnFOQyXJHMHxLGURWCMBHu8FJDQYe8GJP2hyphenhyphenmGyCzKdE9QmyHXV9Aak7o6nrVdWi0KBkV3SWLH2cRZ-HgQky0wNfT2QWQyLl1-e0qMRB8KpopKIMTAda3PkoqSIFaacnRxCswb6zDK8uOKKZB0fotTaB_BJmhfY/s800/P1120343.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqAXNzOtk6rZbskm1oDlyj6OUcX0GYnFOQyXJHMHxLGURWCMBHu8FJDQYe8GJP2hyphenhyphenmGyCzKdE9QmyHXV9Aak7o6nrVdWi0KBkV3SWLH2cRZ-HgQky0wNfT2QWQyLl1-e0qMRB8KpopKIMTAda3PkoqSIFaacnRxCswb6zDK8uOKKZB0fotTaB_BJmhfY/w400-h300/P1120343.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Mick and I spent New Year's Day on our own. It was lovely actually having the day to just relax before Mick returned to work on the 2nd. We spent the time catching up watching a few things we'd recorded over Christmas. Our TV is rarely turned on over the festive period so we had a few things to choose from.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NJpsMaEjU79P55GTqyrYYvy4NxDk2DaacR79cbStuqW8TWns1hgeF-C0034RlM04hEg5rFEyA3TFuJTgZh9vEpRHTyXNJ3UL6vpHX3TfQZg0AaS9-0z59I1h2PrN_YmigQ71XsNxD2ySIfUHykachbI0z5DUWqRVv77k8dls8yERjOw0jCg7RDZKGmE/s800/P1120380.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9NJpsMaEjU79P55GTqyrYYvy4NxDk2DaacR79cbStuqW8TWns1hgeF-C0034RlM04hEg5rFEyA3TFuJTgZh9vEpRHTyXNJ3UL6vpHX3TfQZg0AaS9-0z59I1h2PrN_YmigQ71XsNxD2ySIfUHykachbI0z5DUWqRVv77k8dls8yERjOw0jCg7RDZKGmE/w400-h300/P1120380.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've had a few trips out this month. You can read about our visits to the <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2024/01/coast-country.html" target="_blank">Coast & Country</a> in my earlier post. We particularly enjoyed our visit to Bridlington on the east coast, so much so that we returned the following week when it was a little warmer, though a storm was expected so the sea was very choppy. I think Archie especially enjoyed this second visit, he seemed to have a spring in his step and made lots of new doggy friends.</p><p>My reading mojo disappeared completely for a few weeks. I read my last book of 2023 before Christmas and I didn't pick up a book again until we were well into the second half of January. Even then, I've been reading sporadically and have finished just one book this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilodnW9FJr6WWz5HP2hTtJEFnj3gi142bZnVdpfrYdr5fQxTs9_4yUFcb716YyA8_3w2GU3MXvwU5cnJxlXa4nvXU5bK16c-V2fL9As0A1TL61sOJ4nc-LH_s1o77HOELkCHadbNdWaM-USlww8RPLGcoePkXSCR0ptIsJFu6uXzlD0gCbJJeNLPnpExo/s800/P1120337.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilodnW9FJr6WWz5HP2hTtJEFnj3gi142bZnVdpfrYdr5fQxTs9_4yUFcb716YyA8_3w2GU3MXvwU5cnJxlXa4nvXU5bK16c-V2fL9As0A1TL61sOJ4nc-LH_s1o77HOELkCHadbNdWaM-USlww8RPLGcoePkXSCR0ptIsJFu6uXzlD0gCbJJeNLPnpExo/w150-h200/P1120337.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.<div><br /></div><div>"Set in the Gulf Stream off the coast of Havana, Hemingway's magnificent fable is the tale of an old man, a young boy and a giant fish. This story of heroic endeavor won Hemingway the Nobel Prize for Literature. It stands as a unique and timeless vision of the beauty and grief of man's challenge to the elements."</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a short book at just under a hundred pages but it's packed with such beautifully descriptive writing that it will be one which is long remembered. Not a subject I'd have expected to enjoy but I found myself recounting the story to Mick and it was clear to him that it's a book I'd enjoyed. There's little wonder that Hemingway won the Nobel Prize for this book.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5U3HwH14fENAlI3D7RMivupYHpzJ1tLjUMfrMNvmqF8lj6RPFNp1k7JQ1pS0M0YF5ZPNsYasfbsjq5qEtnPP3MUThg8YMAX3T7OCNVBaQTgktRP8fhoqd46KTr6ZfFG2YDwNMxtl-LZGdUZ_gEE-i_kjKIM5YcUpyv6V1N0_pl2TasjFJm8JD1C_xSM/s800/DSC_0005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis5U3HwH14fENAlI3D7RMivupYHpzJ1tLjUMfrMNvmqF8lj6RPFNp1k7JQ1pS0M0YF5ZPNsYasfbsjq5qEtnPP3MUThg8YMAX3T7OCNVBaQTgktRP8fhoqd46KTr6ZfFG2YDwNMxtl-LZGdUZ_gEE-i_kjKIM5YcUpyv6V1N0_pl2TasjFJm8JD1C_xSM/w400-h266/DSC_0005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I was thrilled to discover that I'd won a prize in a make along which I'd taken part in during the latter part of 2023. Ellie at Craft House Magic was running the Craft 20 a Day Make Along where you worked on any crafty project for, you've guessed it, twenty minutes each day. I joined in with my English Paper Piecing and won the prize for the last quarter of the year. Ellie sent me this gorgeous yarn, one skein called All I Want For Christmas Is You and the other a one of a kind. It definitely needs to be used together as the colours compliment each other so well. I just need to find a pattern to use it in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvj8t9SGScgRlHJBl_T-bOcOASubi49RsmfPSCh98LcMbyMdWkb8wMoekgYuiWxZNQj-HAFRz6VaJFfuyuu7uzqKrlL0HBqAyScyiwhGEyhXhDKUdSl_mX-xEjkAYDNrCojDHY3DWeg3-OiFnTC_yZqLu6qI6vFiMAuydN-PKWpwJWvJol33fb6ebMF0/s320/thumbnail%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvj8t9SGScgRlHJBl_T-bOcOASubi49RsmfPSCh98LcMbyMdWkb8wMoekgYuiWxZNQj-HAFRz6VaJFfuyuu7uzqKrlL0HBqAyScyiwhGEyhXhDKUdSl_mX-xEjkAYDNrCojDHY3DWeg3-OiFnTC_yZqLu6qI6vFiMAuydN-PKWpwJWvJol33fb6ebMF0/w400-h300/thumbnail%20(4).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've had quite a few little treats this month, taking ourselves out for coffee (Mick) and tea or chocolate (me). We're lucky that we have a choice of cafes, some independents and some chains, near to where we live, quite a few within walking distance even, so we're spoilt for choice. It's nice to take ourselves out of the house, even for just half an hour, sit down together and chat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitJbio9a1FG0yr09ZuXlI4_pi4mq-W4X1iHQnqyt9ExvTxbxGc_yeRx-q1wHLBLH9-g42ZVlzu7nWVQKRriKTv2np_rwRqlYXPLEfqPvf96ITXfBEqZ9MZEZpfVHui0YXQPb-ad9j2yG5rmHnXbuUo55FtVSDez-jUgv5NqrzJbYK68ctzBE_hXn7Igs/s317/download.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="317" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitJbio9a1FG0yr09ZuXlI4_pi4mq-W4X1iHQnqyt9ExvTxbxGc_yeRx-q1wHLBLH9-g42ZVlzu7nWVQKRriKTv2np_rwRqlYXPLEfqPvf96ITXfBEqZ9MZEZpfVHui0YXQPb-ad9j2yG5rmHnXbuUo55FtVSDez-jUgv5NqrzJbYK68ctzBE_hXn7Igs/w400-h201/download.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A new series of Trigger Point started at the weekend and I've binged watched the whole six episodes already. It stars Vicky McClure as Lana Washington, a bomb disposal officer working for the Metropolitan Police. I enjoyed the first series and thought this second series even better. If you like fast paced crime dramas, this one might be for you.</p><p>So that's the first month of a new year already gone. I wonder what lies ahead, though one thing's for sure, time is whizzing by. It never seems long after we're seeing in one new year before we're seeing in another. Does anyone else feel the same?</p></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-29711312431862500542024-01-22T10:35:00.001+00:002024-01-22T10:35:42.945+00:00Coast & Country<p>We had planned to have a drive out to the coast on Boxing Day but as I was beginning to feel under the weather, we put it off. You know when you've been looking forward to something and then it doesn't happen, it tends to be on your mind, and a trip to the coast was on mine, so the minute I felt I was on the mend, off we went. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jlJ5v5NizpdN0ZKI8sxvPpXESIwDmPKbAcO1v1KAd23c7PZheanpL6wbMOq6wp38UDzY5_hhjVVOfN5SDYqrXpN48wvI6qaPp-9nbCnEw05w2FXIaLSfIu4Rv5DCMV8-HpbIslB70yUkt1pAY3q86Shvz5LwYJOp2se1Ewi-5DXuMM7lICvNZ5TU8PM/s800/P1120254.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jlJ5v5NizpdN0ZKI8sxvPpXESIwDmPKbAcO1v1KAd23c7PZheanpL6wbMOq6wp38UDzY5_hhjVVOfN5SDYqrXpN48wvI6qaPp-9nbCnEw05w2FXIaLSfIu4Rv5DCMV8-HpbIslB70yUkt1pAY3q86Shvz5LwYJOp2se1Ewi-5DXuMM7lICvNZ5TU8PM/w400-h300/P1120254.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We decided on Bridlington on the east coast, about sixty miles from where we live. As is often the case, we didn't check the tide times before we set off but we were lucky, the sea was a long way out and there were huge, wide open spaces for as far as we could see. Perfect for a little dog to have a good run.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnujGwbRKJk5GYv-o8SDj-eRYcNC_IW15DtdWvM_FpQVTd8bFvbSAmgRNQOaybf5Y0iymtow37_exLdxVX9QnbONqowmnFj_l8khsMqCwMeOdThmnnPddXVDfpidyirRBqpAFiGpARPzkb1GDhvZDJlgkE1OD0AHZX5tmyuxkqpUDEnDxOGdqaXQUMQg/s800/P1120210.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnujGwbRKJk5GYv-o8SDj-eRYcNC_IW15DtdWvM_FpQVTd8bFvbSAmgRNQOaybf5Y0iymtow37_exLdxVX9QnbONqowmnFj_l8khsMqCwMeOdThmnnPddXVDfpidyirRBqpAFiGpARPzkb1GDhvZDJlgkE1OD0AHZX5tmyuxkqpUDEnDxOGdqaXQUMQg/w400-h300/P1120210.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Archie enjoys the seaside as much as we do. The good thing about this time of year is that dogs are allowed on all areas of the beach, dog bans come into play between May and October, and there aren't the crowds during the winter months that there are later on in the year. This was a Saturday and look how deserted it was. Yes, it was a bit nippy but we wrapped up warm.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5miA51gJNw4SZRZ8KNlF_hPVukoZ-bBZlj_tSu8YYCaQ0xwFY7YjZcnJ-JZZhb3QhSCBdu-iw4DZpW2bUEvP_SovD3jx9sbHgTrPZY_pEV6ah-6q0K4Ow2pf0dK6FsjuspbR7Lo1hmwfTBBXfa2uE1XgP_coI0VDEb1w4wxuCp4qNqq_feVtSLQcEuU/s800/P1120230.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5miA51gJNw4SZRZ8KNlF_hPVukoZ-bBZlj_tSu8YYCaQ0xwFY7YjZcnJ-JZZhb3QhSCBdu-iw4DZpW2bUEvP_SovD3jx9sbHgTrPZY_pEV6ah-6q0K4Ow2pf0dK6FsjuspbR7Lo1hmwfTBBXfa2uE1XgP_coI0VDEb1w4wxuCp4qNqq_feVtSLQcEuU/w400-h300/P1120230.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I think I enjoy my trips to the seaside more out of season. The majority of people we saw were dog walkers, we're a hardy breed braving all weathers, and we get well rewarded for it. Miles of unspoilt empty beach with the odd dog running around here and there and beauty all around us.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sjcZG0_j8XxlKPV7GK8NAyyX5Yqkj5KGFYDkWMHrXGMthyphenhyphenA1Za7w1T-715_QI3nTv2mMH3XS1fps6KxLeHiXLsGpM8Z12JRY02ENx3vgjtB0Ctt-zMgGDs6XZua0jEGvxcV0K-eCE8yU-bX4klsM8IWbluN6PR4XoMeyrjUpUhXNOLBi1bhnQOeeQw4/s800/P1120212.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8sjcZG0_j8XxlKPV7GK8NAyyX5Yqkj5KGFYDkWMHrXGMthyphenhyphenA1Za7w1T-715_QI3nTv2mMH3XS1fps6KxLeHiXLsGpM8Z12JRY02ENx3vgjtB0Ctt-zMgGDs6XZua0jEGvxcV0K-eCE8yU-bX4klsM8IWbluN6PR4XoMeyrjUpUhXNOLBi1bhnQOeeQw4/w400-h300/P1120212.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Archie had a whale of a time, he doesn't do much running around now as he's an old boy but he loves all the new smells as well as having a little paddle. He loves making new friends too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jeUFxtFDcTLoVWnE2qbdebUu76u12xs_iTPActF-0dgg3-gVWdEJAHtuFumCIP77LYVKcIaZ6qJVyhlgnyanUNHw1bdDedtVhBSoWIojGSUT7Mz1qm44XlJCPKAbj5vhcgPmWLmiQCaD7CW3jYzOanKSG5O189dcntJyATh2ptVIdlMQLnbyN-9XE6g/s800/P1120234.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jeUFxtFDcTLoVWnE2qbdebUu76u12xs_iTPActF-0dgg3-gVWdEJAHtuFumCIP77LYVKcIaZ6qJVyhlgnyanUNHw1bdDedtVhBSoWIojGSUT7Mz1qm44XlJCPKAbj5vhcgPmWLmiQCaD7CW3jYzOanKSG5O189dcntJyATh2ptVIdlMQLnbyN-9XE6g/w400-h300/P1120234.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There are lots of rockpools on one stretch of the beach. If it had been a little bit warmer I might have explored a little to see what I could find.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM6KN1d-Vtv1n1CSc0NG6Jw-_58yKjuFIg3zAUFE1BruNvYCgXv0druMli1OhpQ8c6Srl48Xwo04yXNOpzMN0h3eP1jWga3EM_c9lUCvNR6SbhPWPhtEUUXZYK6GS7zag7WsOPAjdSyOIy4BvJVPGVbNoIdJBWG51wMZE979ynUy3I-Z09Sq4dUxZLZg/s800/P1120240.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM6KN1d-Vtv1n1CSc0NG6Jw-_58yKjuFIg3zAUFE1BruNvYCgXv0druMli1OhpQ8c6Srl48Xwo04yXNOpzMN0h3eP1jWga3EM_c9lUCvNR6SbhPWPhtEUUXZYK6GS7zag7WsOPAjdSyOIy4BvJVPGVbNoIdJBWG51wMZE979ynUy3I-Z09Sq4dUxZLZg/w400-h300/P1120240.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Beach treasure. I didn't find any sea glass on this particular day, though I wasn't really looking.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPzSp36sQmQpQgz8iPYzPYiPWU52-0bFhRZVYrCNj-dMxRl4fSr64oK21KCgkoSokIN258kaycZCuEnEYB03mysWlsQr2NYsWJEDQdAziibwv-aokp5utNkKMmUd4JDeP7cuWJ4sGg7Y7fWp160T2ej38yele31QH0s3iUg8LapCdmTNw58txbmzX8oE/s800/P1120248.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPzSp36sQmQpQgz8iPYzPYiPWU52-0bFhRZVYrCNj-dMxRl4fSr64oK21KCgkoSokIN258kaycZCuEnEYB03mysWlsQr2NYsWJEDQdAziibwv-aokp5utNkKMmUd4JDeP7cuWJ4sGg7Y7fWp160T2ej38yele31QH0s3iUg8LapCdmTNw58txbmzX8oE/w400-h300/P1120248.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Just look at those pink fingers. Yes, it was rather cold.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA53xsS0YnL0gP78yloZEbdbjqZFWJ7_axPEMbvDMcscqMpdVlLWc8KJsoP5ouUi29VoS4ex5zD0EDDvQlpq-e2NuM8qpX1kZLmt1kvpbeN0zzjr4dAi619C0YPtJ_k8r33xR9XWzBpXUZnVj8zdatVxWRjgMf_fpDwsx-vMznpZJcpms_B1qGIv2HPxM/s754/P1120258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="754" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA53xsS0YnL0gP78yloZEbdbjqZFWJ7_axPEMbvDMcscqMpdVlLWc8KJsoP5ouUi29VoS4ex5zD0EDDvQlpq-e2NuM8qpX1kZLmt1kvpbeN0zzjr4dAi619C0YPtJ_k8r33xR9XWzBpXUZnVj8zdatVxWRjgMf_fpDwsx-vMznpZJcpms_B1qGIv2HPxM/w400-h300/P1120258.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The pleasure cruisers were still taking passengers for trips around the bay despite how much the temperature had dropped on this particular day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSVX3N9n9sYSldBiFoiCt8TT5N5Q8DczkgllKpeIS3UysyibdFPZAZ01AWeguonFhLErWThHKl75HnaLgbO8MDN9goDZL5MsCS48hatPKjT52sz7mmjJlPlSuWZiBiFkBMxFd60ews9slaxOtJc67iCGZ6ZtX1psgnWbR8hWT5gEqYhAddoZMzygPu9k/s800/P1120262.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSVX3N9n9sYSldBiFoiCt8TT5N5Q8DczkgllKpeIS3UysyibdFPZAZ01AWeguonFhLErWThHKl75HnaLgbO8MDN9goDZL5MsCS48hatPKjT52sz7mmjJlPlSuWZiBiFkBMxFd60ews9slaxOtJc67iCGZ6ZtX1psgnWbR8hWT5gEqYhAddoZMzygPu9k/w400-h300/P1120262.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>After our time on the beach we took a walk around the harbour. There wasn't much water left in it with the tide being so far out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoxgZzr1n_qdkmj8ucgnsdkKrHpgGHG8npMXKWlYvreybchBU5HzDhfF_HwTyTTNSsfD5rX7MJ7FLq-3f1-pIrQ5fR7ZFYG1OBU9AwcCR6zuX5i3ATVoTlTT5moxlk43jwGY92LAKatlZHEWRAwQiuiawSkzDI97DvRDH5av4Uu5-D-bM3Khacow9OX0/s800/P1120269.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoxgZzr1n_qdkmj8ucgnsdkKrHpgGHG8npMXKWlYvreybchBU5HzDhfF_HwTyTTNSsfD5rX7MJ7FLq-3f1-pIrQ5fR7ZFYG1OBU9AwcCR6zuX5i3ATVoTlTT5moxlk43jwGY92LAKatlZHEWRAwQiuiawSkzDI97DvRDH5av4Uu5-D-bM3Khacow9OX0/w400-h300/P1120269.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Turnstones were grubbing about in the mud which was left behind.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCmZCogIRoexM2MfZhioO3VJlkQVhEA692VA5dAizi1ZzG-BQx3XuCNfSLyx7nDAsfmgVDg6_l3VHwT6MGOZQXWt0k7BswN7IzxXWuKsBfl87KW9KyOqs6ZmrzUf_Onkd5nHdWYcUlWZa7sn2nHDCSFmZ_9HOBlfX7E2so1O_sx_d9O03XNGo51MiTxA/s800/P1120274.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCmZCogIRoexM2MfZhioO3VJlkQVhEA692VA5dAizi1ZzG-BQx3XuCNfSLyx7nDAsfmgVDg6_l3VHwT6MGOZQXWt0k7BswN7IzxXWuKsBfl87KW9KyOqs6ZmrzUf_Onkd5nHdWYcUlWZa7sn2nHDCSFmZ_9HOBlfX7E2so1O_sx_d9O03XNGo51MiTxA/w400-h300/P1120274.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As we passed the harbour we could see Flamborough headland in the distance. Flamborough is a little under five miles from Bridlington and it's the place where was saw the seals on <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/09/our-staycation.html" target="_blank">Our Staycation</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQahQ77NTZk2o4sgsZC3SpDgOiwevKU6q2gsdDHO6KLw09gAcOZONdJQ_aNlFif6XYh4OCAP-1RsKQmLjxSc0ufcKTuOqK6RzpDZGre1-Hq1ZOZ1Z9KnHRrAVmOhNnXI4X39VRhc9bkwnaRpQWhrKq0UoQ-dUvTaE9DrlfkQOBb6iIJutOrIbrU73bR8/s778/P1120277.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="583" data-original-width="778" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQahQ77NTZk2o4sgsZC3SpDgOiwevKU6q2gsdDHO6KLw09gAcOZONdJQ_aNlFif6XYh4OCAP-1RsKQmLjxSc0ufcKTuOqK6RzpDZGre1-Hq1ZOZ1Z9KnHRrAVmOhNnXI4X39VRhc9bkwnaRpQWhrKq0UoQ-dUvTaE9DrlfkQOBb6iIJutOrIbrU73bR8/w400-h300/P1120277.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A little further round and there's the lure of the amusements. I'll admit that I'm quite drawn to the 2p pushers but I resisted on this occasion.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclCYwtx5IV19mooZLGLAWeOgT1o43VyAofYWxE34SpN-EjoY0xIeTUDgGdnQR8hyeGOINF3X_LLif5ZA6vJ87Oo50HsRNbZWebs2m0q9t1SE2qZ1AmDNglPUTtVEidK2n3bvwVe4QR41EVftB2yB0bhQmqZH-A5TKnBGECc5uZlDBtxAlTxdfCrPqaUM/s800/IMG_E3756.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclCYwtx5IV19mooZLGLAWeOgT1o43VyAofYWxE34SpN-EjoY0xIeTUDgGdnQR8hyeGOINF3X_LLif5ZA6vJ87Oo50HsRNbZWebs2m0q9t1SE2qZ1AmDNglPUTtVEidK2n3bvwVe4QR41EVftB2yB0bhQmqZH-A5TKnBGECc5uZlDBtxAlTxdfCrPqaUM/w400-h300/IMG_E3756.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I did give in to a doughnut though, well who can resist the delicious aroma when it's wafting through the air, not me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn2KNedkUJPK0pWj_7TGt8uOI8xkIBIZYjI77P1FNVglNQyDEcUVIAefST5rJdaGubbhZeHNvtMPxlQ4hk1Vw4T_krJvXyfk8cyotP09gS8zKs5_nlIEQtSTSqUVEXmOeGWlV770o9gRWEI_K3cSqE_LCFewGQdv-AHGoYx1nk0PMzjeQcKFupz0GIE8/s800/P1120301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn2KNedkUJPK0pWj_7TGt8uOI8xkIBIZYjI77P1FNVglNQyDEcUVIAefST5rJdaGubbhZeHNvtMPxlQ4hk1Vw4T_krJvXyfk8cyotP09gS8zKs5_nlIEQtSTSqUVEXmOeGWlV770o9gRWEI_K3cSqE_LCFewGQdv-AHGoYx1nk0PMzjeQcKFupz0GIE8/w400-h300/P1120301.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The following day we decided on a trip to the Yorkshire Dales and in particular, Reeth, which is in the north of the Yorkshire Dales and again, about sixty miles from where we live. It has a population of about 700, though it looks rather busy with all the cars parked here but I believe there are many walking routes which can be taken from the village so people park up here. We did see evidence of this ourselves with people changing into walking boots and others returning to their cars with their walking poles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKafnHE_LwphaxkN5FcwgcGekaFg5huQ1XUr1WMhP27yGVBOapi9eTPzCJ8TPRvy_QmkZiOrhS3PnJFeLuwvYdxeHcnE3SNIZKuMd1ZcJEjqxT-ZTr-D8_TKev_ep4u_B1CN-RY8F-0oU4ZG2qZ61djpO12zeX77yZOEy93DpY8pVRf-O4F4rtoWhEn4/s800/P1120291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKafnHE_LwphaxkN5FcwgcGekaFg5huQ1XUr1WMhP27yGVBOapi9eTPzCJ8TPRvy_QmkZiOrhS3PnJFeLuwvYdxeHcnE3SNIZKuMd1ZcJEjqxT-ZTr-D8_TKev_ep4u_B1CN-RY8F-0oU4ZG2qZ61djpO12zeX77yZOEy93DpY8pVRf-O4F4rtoWhEn4/w400-h300/P1120291.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The village has a little more for tourists than some of the small villages in the Dales. Fleece is an arts and crafts cooperative and a non-for-profit organisation. Arts and crafts from a number of different makers are sold here and it's a lovely shop to look around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy5IYJmzD6QdcsmjBXXXksM8yYInsvQkGbld-kPNoPretKmuyz-id_gno-yRgCjm4_feSTgTCk8xq3sPy2CuqJFRBa4BOMQ6k4Athzjt6ZmulJa3QYFA2d8E_yDO5jusN9BnbWcxfyedAEtCaTtv9MPSwKeS6pArcRdlEOADSLTLGtLlq1GGeTysW1D0/s773/P1120316.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="773" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy5IYJmzD6QdcsmjBXXXksM8yYInsvQkGbld-kPNoPretKmuyz-id_gno-yRgCjm4_feSTgTCk8xq3sPy2CuqJFRBa4BOMQ6k4Athzjt6ZmulJa3QYFA2d8E_yDO5jusN9BnbWcxfyedAEtCaTtv9MPSwKeS6pArcRdlEOADSLTLGtLlq1GGeTysW1D0/w400-h300/P1120316.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There are a number of small shops, a gift shop, an art gallery, a post office and general store as well as a toy shop. It was a shame to find most of them closed on Sundays. I would have particularly enjoyed looking round The Threshing Barn, a fibre arts shop, but their winter opening is just Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and it doesn't open at all on a Sunday, even in summer. It was nice to find Dragonridge Hills open for a browse. Here you can buy some beautiful jewellery as well as a selection of textile items and fossils and stones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ULZZ1TkfsYHA17LH-sl8WTj2RtAbUiOdYLHTkpysa5CLeWMdD7jKta_gtCbB4duU7pV3H20NqDdnz8snuwFqS5mON3nBgUSriZmgEye8XVQq1aNmnIGQutI2S2w7VT0VGPlC_cXwYTAlM0OBXZSKfiDGV0ZQJErDvxYXxAZCu5KpNGj_l6sDIZXHak/s800/P1120295.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_ULZZ1TkfsYHA17LH-sl8WTj2RtAbUiOdYLHTkpysa5CLeWMdD7jKta_gtCbB4duU7pV3H20NqDdnz8snuwFqS5mON3nBgUSriZmgEye8XVQq1aNmnIGQutI2S2w7VT0VGPlC_cXwYTAlM0OBXZSKfiDGV0ZQJErDvxYXxAZCu5KpNGj_l6sDIZXHak/w400-h300/P1120295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The ice cream parlour was open for business though it was far too cold for ice cream in my opinion. They do sell hot beverages though too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJe-tmlkkW-vKUDiCW5TPjVUlrbYinyJpqBc-ZrkDmGHarMwrvvk0e5DaRKLb_sHhwMBl_2E3mT8-mbhy7CeuqCwKWjnWYZ7QmA6uDLhIPuxE3n9URUn5tNyjn45aWXrajZGfMtbg5ak7pELyECnf22l4f21jRfW9uNxPG64wVMWCKhya0SpDuXF5Qyo/s800/P1120303.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJe-tmlkkW-vKUDiCW5TPjVUlrbYinyJpqBc-ZrkDmGHarMwrvvk0e5DaRKLb_sHhwMBl_2E3mT8-mbhy7CeuqCwKWjnWYZ7QmA6uDLhIPuxE3n9URUn5tNyjn45aWXrajZGfMtbg5ak7pELyECnf22l4f21jRfW9uNxPG64wVMWCKhya0SpDuXF5Qyo/w400-h300/P1120303.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Reeth has three pubs. We noticed that one of the signs outside The Black Bull is upside down and looking on Google when we returned home, discovered that this was done as a protest when a previous landlord removed the render when he tried to tidy up the exterior and exposed the original walls, only for the National Parks officials to take exception to this and insist that the render be replaced, threatening legal action if this didn't happen. Some local pranksters, apparently, turned the sign upside down in protest and it's still upside down to this day.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yqgh748ZYl6LjAncODrOU7rqgKdEkiAMXiqNtvfNr5nlc7HPK4wD1IRSzwBbZp0OC74ShY7uzZ9dmUZCcucRY4S3iXIUIFZEeIK7Mv3XY_Qy_Ot2NQLW6ZT_u9SHF53kDz-aDt_cQrXZ_ygwDUdlkzDNxqoTC_A2W49MhmB0HAz6kSyJJsCZaJN2F-Q/s800/P1120296.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yqgh748ZYl6LjAncODrOU7rqgKdEkiAMXiqNtvfNr5nlc7HPK4wD1IRSzwBbZp0OC74ShY7uzZ9dmUZCcucRY4S3iXIUIFZEeIK7Mv3XY_Qy_Ot2NQLW6ZT_u9SHF53kDz-aDt_cQrXZ_ygwDUdlkzDNxqoTC_A2W49MhmB0HAz6kSyJJsCZaJN2F-Q/w300-h400/P1120296.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>What a funny place to put a cat flap, in the window. Right next to the bird feeder too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwVxulAGVBZR5sLmytSr9Sb5XQUW9F4-Q7ILdwCHUSHJaT8RAayh25Im3N0lRZMbgJmWrCCGAj0We1cc75QpiCTPuas6zby25HLB2amnWOFbubheoB6U1_B6dqto5AWg-eeuRmW9RFDbqBJc4a4tR2jZ9VbZxoYNdrOsJVQ7MEk9eRTuGo2aUYxVQuA/s800/P1120289.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHwVxulAGVBZR5sLmytSr9Sb5XQUW9F4-Q7ILdwCHUSHJaT8RAayh25Im3N0lRZMbgJmWrCCGAj0We1cc75QpiCTPuas6zby25HLB2amnWOFbubheoB6U1_B6dqto5AWg-eeuRmW9RFDbqBJc4a4tR2jZ9VbZxoYNdrOsJVQ7MEk9eRTuGo2aUYxVQuA/w400-h300/P1120289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Reeth Evangelical Congregational Church.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVBfgN18FpwVVC2duEyVgyTZBv_qPQbeIEeLmQvUyVcxNYqLGBy3qBz2OLjzWp8oYGkgYoWpLiZxaoJXf-pKyztx0YFdvK_ZxX-LhASGsGrdflby6cD7UZNcfMb7g5VQZMrwLxCuMH1E5tbrJ7iER7PaxbztY-j3WqeEe-nQUtPWsiA4YwKskQ5LmnJM/s800/P1120309.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVBfgN18FpwVVC2duEyVgyTZBv_qPQbeIEeLmQvUyVcxNYqLGBy3qBz2OLjzWp8oYGkgYoWpLiZxaoJXf-pKyztx0YFdvK_ZxX-LhASGsGrdflby6cD7UZNcfMb7g5VQZMrwLxCuMH1E5tbrJ7iER7PaxbztY-j3WqeEe-nQUtPWsiA4YwKskQ5LmnJM/w400-h300/P1120309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Swaledale where Reeth is situated is known for its farming landscape of fields, barns, drystone walls and hay meadows. The village is surrounded by beautiful scenery. I wonder who lives in that white cottage halfway up the hill.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaJ4h8epbuy8NdZMkHJS9TsEU7G11RUjiBgjxdTAMttqIJDDT6jlfSea5dr-GDASakdLOvqk2fmZU_6JcY5VA2WCMlJsCiyN2v53qkMV_Rt2a2qPW9JxL8T0dTddsim8j8eHQLmsgYiqzXyKkji-D_sjVaNmhwHxix9ioX0DG1ZFcGo3ughS2Tei9vmA/s800/P1120319.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaJ4h8epbuy8NdZMkHJS9TsEU7G11RUjiBgjxdTAMttqIJDDT6jlfSea5dr-GDASakdLOvqk2fmZU_6JcY5VA2WCMlJsCiyN2v53qkMV_Rt2a2qPW9JxL8T0dTddsim8j8eHQLmsgYiqzXyKkji-D_sjVaNmhwHxix9ioX0DG1ZFcGo3ughS2Tei9vmA/w400-h300/P1120319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There was snow on the tops of the hills.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumSGsWxa3pj4n4TY_2Z1Fxn7ekLV6y-Z0TXHnvEltZdB6ji3wbhKyBgaMBtETdwcwYy5415_OargD578RQU4R10cfLKjjx9_VnUcY2obaiXjhuEoByVSqT3xpfB-IEZcU1uys2xgzTtKiG8uYIMgNcNMFmjqYHVO2cwTFBg2L2GxKFeRdRBoeb0Nn0qQ/s800/P1120325.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumSGsWxa3pj4n4TY_2Z1Fxn7ekLV6y-Z0TXHnvEltZdB6ji3wbhKyBgaMBtETdwcwYy5415_OargD578RQU4R10cfLKjjx9_VnUcY2obaiXjhuEoByVSqT3xpfB-IEZcU1uys2xgzTtKiG8uYIMgNcNMFmjqYHVO2cwTFBg2L2GxKFeRdRBoeb0Nn0qQ/w400-h300/P1120325.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I can't go to the Yorkshire Dales without taking a photo of some sheep. The one on the right is definitely trying to tell me something.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmySFYTSIvgNdUD_uBHhhDHK_n9uqhy19Uk4wnQ_10pC-JHw8jCRupwLgT87IjId939zT0gHejgntK3FzhIPbTucZgLROV1dWjukfjaxGkrtcO8shUTlSm6VwTAlKCOp8EVYsger-lvPa6z4KZiW4J6Pb6xhUExkh_ckEstQht2lFFRdCV3yGq1wsUXc/s800/P1120326.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmySFYTSIvgNdUD_uBHhhDHK_n9uqhy19Uk4wnQ_10pC-JHw8jCRupwLgT87IjId939zT0gHejgntK3FzhIPbTucZgLROV1dWjukfjaxGkrtcO8shUTlSm6VwTAlKCOp8EVYsger-lvPa6z4KZiW4J6Pb6xhUExkh_ckEstQht2lFFRdCV3yGq1wsUXc/w400-h300/P1120326.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>After visiting Reeth we decided to head over to Hawes to stock up on some Wensleydale and Fountains Gold cheese from the Wensleydale Creamery. Before we realised which road we'd taken we were heading over Buttertubs Pass, a road which crosses high moorland between Hawes and the small hamlet of Thwaite. Jeremy Clarkson has apparently labelled it as "England's only truly spectacular road". It's a meandering road with hairpin bends and sheer drops to the side and only a length of barbed wire between the car and the edge in some places. To make matters worse, it had been snowing up there. The photo above was taken through the windscreen as we were driving.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdKv0gK2fTIHbK2rmX0GJiDxheJKY1rsfLeePH9iiUwo6EACUsPNHCvqlyGDCU_H2XawKKpwGOYV9y93EZkcbM-eUrAbGNH8C3pgrM1XZVxcXEGG23owOQ7Y9NIbBvAi1bXVk7jn2yw0YQbzirW3bx3Z14zz7gO7O44RVEHk1YFtd_a_oVHXd9MkoeHA/s800/P1120333.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdKv0gK2fTIHbK2rmX0GJiDxheJKY1rsfLeePH9iiUwo6EACUsPNHCvqlyGDCU_H2XawKKpwGOYV9y93EZkcbM-eUrAbGNH8C3pgrM1XZVxcXEGG23owOQ7Y9NIbBvAi1bXVk7jn2yw0YQbzirW3bx3Z14zz7gO7O44RVEHk1YFtd_a_oVHXd9MkoeHA/w400-h300/P1120333.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I really don't have a head for heights and I couldn't look as we were driving the parts with nothing to the side of me, but as we got further along we stopped the car so that I could get out and take a photo. There isn't usually much traffic up there anyway but I think we saw just two cars on this particular day. Absolutely stunning scenery over the pass but I won't be rushing back, especially in the snow!</p><p>We're so lucky to have these beautiful places, and many more, not too far from where we live. Our small town is just under eight miles from one of the largest cities in England. We have all the amenities that a large city offers on our doorstep if we need them but we're far enough away not to be bothered by the negative aspects, and where we live is surrounded by beautiful countryside. The coast is less than sixty miles away, so very convenient for day trips. We really do have the best of all worlds.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-20761152194341677452024-01-15T11:21:00.000+00:002024-01-15T11:21:40.456+00:00Twelve Days Of Christmas 2023<p>If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know that my friend, Lisa and I have been swapping twelve small gifts each year, one to be opened on each of the twelve days of Christmas. This is now the tenth year that we've swapped gifts, it's a lovely tradition.</p><p>This is what I received from Lisa this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0wzlr1K6ZAhyphenhyphennnuqE5cAuktPGBchETe9-fM7XPUDNTH1suMkwLqRylAU1dKlrAHPiJ_4VvUm4NBKpnjtQbOyLtfeDU4kJU_jfDUyTfMp0Cffso2dtowkdGBNrz-EesBO7laMjcjT4_EjmMihIl18YgpDeBvVaBLKDNhkxQIFUvtHYjbulrrkRBd0U94/s800/P1120183.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0wzlr1K6ZAhyphenhyphennnuqE5cAuktPGBchETe9-fM7XPUDNTH1suMkwLqRylAU1dKlrAHPiJ_4VvUm4NBKpnjtQbOyLtfeDU4kJU_jfDUyTfMp0Cffso2dtowkdGBNrz-EesBO7laMjcjT4_EjmMihIl18YgpDeBvVaBLKDNhkxQIFUvtHYjbulrrkRBd0U94/w400-h300/P1120183.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A closer look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i8ky2LDIyC9XFdH6Bu0etGJYQbZj9qLcTMvYdQE8C9SOV6WUo0SUjrDkH2lfttuJpnkypbHS6Ua1G8sG-qLrylHVZRaa816PfVn8AG45CtqJDVwfJKy0x2zXhqA2PlJefQNqzyjtWzMUJbCPcghYFCK0q3D5nwSBFQO63CVv_9RkY6sKvViQmRRFuLU/s800/P1120188.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i8ky2LDIyC9XFdH6Bu0etGJYQbZj9qLcTMvYdQE8C9SOV6WUo0SUjrDkH2lfttuJpnkypbHS6Ua1G8sG-qLrylHVZRaa816PfVn8AG45CtqJDVwfJKy0x2zXhqA2PlJefQNqzyjtWzMUJbCPcghYFCK0q3D5nwSBFQO63CVv_9RkY6sKvViQmRRFuLU/w400-h300/P1120188.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Big Little Wedding in Carlton Square by Lilly Bartlett. I haven't read anything by this author before so I look forward to reading this. Gingerbread mug hangers to hang on the side of your hot chocolate mug, almost too cute to eat. The Big Cheesy Night In, well we all love cheese here, with the exception of Daniel, so this will be fun. Cheese themed quizzes, jokes and games. It's a long time since I've done any card making so these blank greeting cards may just get my creative juices flowing, and the craft bags will be brilliant to decorate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMAZjGIqYEHrCAbqm9pKWL5dSG8_U1z7AG5qYDIP3bPGkqe4R_k76XZ6nlgx9GGJJqz3Wf2K32jkZRVH0rAlRdiMkBSdrCROfxnY8T5ysCFbpZfjzAskTuqO3XtMvu96motFt4CNy00ByfrsnAUGd72bzXXxSGqd8a72Tew5mK5PcBx3K5Sae5KGyKAc/s800/P1120190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMAZjGIqYEHrCAbqm9pKWL5dSG8_U1z7AG5qYDIP3bPGkqe4R_k76XZ6nlgx9GGJJqz3Wf2K32jkZRVH0rAlRdiMkBSdrCROfxnY8T5ysCFbpZfjzAskTuqO3XtMvu96motFt4CNy00ByfrsnAUGd72bzXXxSGqd8a72Tew5mK5PcBx3K5Sae5KGyKAc/w400-h300/P1120190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A pretty water bottle, always handy for days out. Some gorgeous handmade pure natural essential oil bath bombs. They're so pretty and smell gorgeous, I can't wait to use these. A ceramic Happy coaster and a sachet of Galaxy hot chocolate, yum. Three Yankee Candle votives, each a Christmas scent: Mulled Wine, Warm Apple & Cinnamon, and Gingerbread. They smell delicious.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Msu-kuFcbrwPZQE9lmNCZJqILFGgwZbfrymm8spiLzspumvWk3uEE207L6u8Q4NoegHo-ECevFqm7Ds6EYybtu6kkXo-Mct_PspWfpOp_hffJpgE8_Q8laCnu46DEeBHtxY5z_zBSH-eWfNR44JeLDD1lKkWAfMoc5opw73fWHRD5Zy7RcvmitJ8t5E/s800/P1120194.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Msu-kuFcbrwPZQE9lmNCZJqILFGgwZbfrymm8spiLzspumvWk3uEE207L6u8Q4NoegHo-ECevFqm7Ds6EYybtu6kkXo-Mct_PspWfpOp_hffJpgE8_Q8laCnu46DEeBHtxY5z_zBSH-eWfNR44JeLDD1lKkWAfMoc5opw73fWHRD5Zy7RcvmitJ8t5E/w400-h300/P1120194.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A pair of Christmas Up To Snow Good socks, they'll be sure to keep my feet warm. Some hand cream: Wild Meadow with notes of Apple Blossom and Violet Leaf, and In Bloom with notes of Jasmine and Freesia, don't they sound lovely. A note book and pen, always handy and just the right size to carry in my handbag, I'm always scrabbling around for a bit of paper and a pen when I'm out. Some of my favourite Green & Black's ginger chocolate.</p><p>Haven't I been spoilt. Thank you Lisa, I'm thrilled with all my gifts.</p><p>This is what I sent to Lisa.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJk1uRxjPtv5ysWciqJyVUK_H2m4IsQvg2rcWJXN0eBjDNCRwu1pWhPlaDlSrp-qPGBXYFHMHBAp_dEaVlj4jJOZRb0sNN0UxqtHaIlsIUudoVaJuokRitf2_ahMW4QwozN9V_dphTi_-ANqwZx6AmWVI_t_5hcylnfVIs_sgD-K0ie0cO57sOHfCGp8/s699/P1120010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="699" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJk1uRxjPtv5ysWciqJyVUK_H2m4IsQvg2rcWJXN0eBjDNCRwu1pWhPlaDlSrp-qPGBXYFHMHBAp_dEaVlj4jJOZRb0sNN0UxqtHaIlsIUudoVaJuokRitf2_ahMW4QwozN9V_dphTi_-ANqwZx6AmWVI_t_5hcylnfVIs_sgD-K0ie0cO57sOHfCGp8/w400-h319/P1120010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A closer look.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMysX9Ie9LXMbHEOgDUDWIP3UKnJLl7TWm410cG5RmAjZVbVU4LHAmBxhEV3PduvaPKfSP_3lyTnEHeqnUAwqj6ZbxWDaY2IBIL6HBjqzIzRKT0O9V9H-Cf96WftvZQweW_akJ0lq0r9fwvj651oryYVLglJ3k6axmoLFlCUJdHmJ514ZM1YKuYGbplA/s800/P1110998.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMysX9Ie9LXMbHEOgDUDWIP3UKnJLl7TWm410cG5RmAjZVbVU4LHAmBxhEV3PduvaPKfSP_3lyTnEHeqnUAwqj6ZbxWDaY2IBIL6HBjqzIzRKT0O9V9H-Cf96WftvZQweW_akJ0lq0r9fwvj651oryYVLglJ3k6axmoLFlCUJdHmJ514ZM1YKuYGbplA/w400-h300/P1110998.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A bit of a baking theme here. A set of three Christmas cake tins, there's two nestling inside the big one. I popped the tub of edible Christmas sprinkles inside too. A tropical cupcake set, you get the cases and the toppers. An eat, drink and be merry spatula with a gingerbread man cookie cutter, and a winter wonderland plate.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSS28P2JFEpNpPNnV-3P7Yr84JMZxltOahu15jhhWwffTr_BigvJkTtqlbhyhYzd47DcHkmaofY6ZmFyYrtHWPcQaeNCb_JLZQh5m8lr57uxivhqfLzKHrEZ3js6bwwyQ_RWHh-YAWRyo24ekKkZM0K_gUgCC66vWoYuiqpnfiuPDl9BgqVe95PHyOrA/s800/P1120006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSS28P2JFEpNpPNnV-3P7Yr84JMZxltOahu15jhhWwffTr_BigvJkTtqlbhyhYzd47DcHkmaofY6ZmFyYrtHWPcQaeNCb_JLZQh5m8lr57uxivhqfLzKHrEZ3js6bwwyQ_RWHh-YAWRyo24ekKkZM0K_gUgCC66vWoYuiqpnfiuPDl9BgqVe95PHyOrA/w400-h300/P1120006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A tin of Scottish shortbread biscuits in a lovely nutcracker tin, I admit it was the tin which drew me to these. A bar of Cadbury's Snow Balls, who doesn't love this. Baylis & Harding hand cream in floral scents, and a pair of really squishy socks for the cold weather.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwUSSXFcoGM9RGsYT-NeDe9i9KjqRaU1330i6R5Y7TBazICg4NHKxVyQVW1rYgRrPmXuSwmZUk8dJOjxCc9E_yJ6pfOR_XaCBgGYBP_4Z3okIncnsUyI_SivZPEItGKP0O2LlEtsLJbo8hW2-AjL3pSaYDwZaB1yza1jlKLWnTKDQ-vIyXZRoloJLNRw/s800/P1120002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwUSSXFcoGM9RGsYT-NeDe9i9KjqRaU1330i6R5Y7TBazICg4NHKxVyQVW1rYgRrPmXuSwmZUk8dJOjxCc9E_yJ6pfOR_XaCBgGYBP_4Z3okIncnsUyI_SivZPEItGKP0O2LlEtsLJbo8hW2-AjL3pSaYDwZaB1yza1jlKLWnTKDQ-vIyXZRoloJLNRw/w400-h300/P1120002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I always pop a Christmas book in the parcel, this year it's Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop by Jessica Redland. I expect it's the usual boy meets girl at Christmas time but I enjoy a cosy romance to settle down with during the festive period so I hope Lisa does too. A ceramic tea cup bird feeder. I saw this and thought it looked so cute. Just imagine the birds feeding from a tea cup. A calligraphy set, something I've fancied having a go at myself but never have. A Winnie the Pooh weekly planner ready for the year ahead. I'm always a bit wary of buying people diaries in case they've already got one but this planner just has the days of the week printed so it can be used at any time.</p><p>Well it's been such a fun swap again. I enjoy looking for all the little gifts to include in the parcel just as much as I enjoy opening up a gift each day, and as I always say, it keeps the excitement of Christmas going right into January. Thanks again, Lisa.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-36587532993301700322024-01-05T10:43:00.000+00:002024-01-05T10:43:43.460+00:00Advent Calendar 2023<p>This is the fifth year that I've had a yarny advent calendar. I had one from Josie at Beaches & Birdsong back in 2020 and I went with one from her again. This time each mini skein weighs 20g, I've always had 10g ones in the past. I thought having more yarn of each colour would give me more options when it comes to choosing what I'm going to use it for.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuOjFwWEnbL0496h9YigQhAEg0rsoE_w_21K7OGyrufqRHNQZwS9q4brUWTV9Qb56BPxqmer1c7ve7B5J1an7KYamw6CwzOqG2vv00YR-GrliCP5Bmt92NQtEMliNe8to_BQMf9iu9u9YlrQ7sYGen6p0GHqe1GqK814sLn0mwYABEEseviAShFOpeHc/s800/P1120012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuOjFwWEnbL0496h9YigQhAEg0rsoE_w_21K7OGyrufqRHNQZwS9q4brUWTV9Qb56BPxqmer1c7ve7B5J1an7KYamw6CwzOqG2vv00YR-GrliCP5Bmt92NQtEMliNe8to_BQMf9iu9u9YlrQ7sYGen6p0GHqe1GqK814sLn0mwYABEEseviAShFOpeHc/w400-h300/P1120012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The theme of this advent calendar is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It was delivered on the 1st of November in plenty of time to start opening all the little packages at the start of December.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix87j0hrW_bob2NofP6v8TUIJnDlZvbh3U4sn5Ss_1-zRMQeiSWeum9K5LQws6Iwr_12EA7xavrdaMqMI1wRZ5rLrLaPojBk2Y9rzokWCRSJDsy384rrw0z9a6y-6FX61GdMDZlGA0ILo7VqyYudC6cC3yDo7AFXbxM058PvSUxWGm_BY3qCXQHBtEWN0/s800/P1120176.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix87j0hrW_bob2NofP6v8TUIJnDlZvbh3U4sn5Ss_1-zRMQeiSWeum9K5LQws6Iwr_12EA7xavrdaMqMI1wRZ5rLrLaPojBk2Y9rzokWCRSJDsy384rrw0z9a6y-6FX61GdMDZlGA0ILo7VqyYudC6cC3yDo7AFXbxM058PvSUxWGm_BY3qCXQHBtEWN0/w400-h300/P1120176.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was such a treat opening each little parcel, I couldn't be more happier with what I got. The colours are just beautiful and the yarn, as always when buying form Josie, is so squishy and soft. I haven't decided what I'm going to make yet but it will be an absolute pleasure to use this yarn.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aEcxU3tgLCwMqEHIdE_nrZv3mr7WAbKoyN9SvgdjDTK3SvxN8Wq1KFbW7nTThcBYZQMiSKjYLs3vaUUnROUJMxj55R2mqyY02h1WAY2V09NsMKzafHxZb6_iwa3xsFrh13OzDfw7A7zyggNssPVpxlykqvz1g-8V4_04xhi61Kt1ko75cLSqXcoAaTs/s800/P1120181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aEcxU3tgLCwMqEHIdE_nrZv3mr7WAbKoyN9SvgdjDTK3SvxN8Wq1KFbW7nTThcBYZQMiSKjYLs3vaUUnROUJMxj55R2mqyY02h1WAY2V09NsMKzafHxZb6_iwa3xsFrh13OzDfw7A7zyggNssPVpxlykqvz1g-8V4_04xhi61Kt1ko75cLSqXcoAaTs/w400-h300/P1120181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>And that wasn't all. There were also little treats added to some of the packages, sweeties, chocolate, stitch markers, a little tin to keep the stitch markers in, and even a sticker of a lion on the day I opened the Aslan colourway.</p><p>I'm still using up the yarn from previous year's advent calendars so I doubt this will be used in the very near future but I shall enjoy pondering on what I'm going to make with it.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-23367402031057631722023-12-31T11:20:00.000+00:002023-12-31T11:20:17.578+00:00December 2023<p>The month started off with a sprinkling of snow, in fact, it was more than a sprinkling. It wasn't forecast at all for our area but they got that wrong. We got into the Christmas spirit at the very start of the month by putting up our tree on the 1st.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FDPxl9kvJKUwtSx_hK-DXeYQuLd5BE70w4RUvB8Q4_K6p8lCcl8N19YMz7LQG8eo5P69m9cUf982slFOCmLhnc-TYF3QNZMUmDu4-okHa0bqLa-K_RJI3C4U9S2SeHBMYkRUgmXvIPBjxeM-nTjdpK6QULB1hbG0fuCuxSbQ2gdkHhOEQLieLluC5jA/s800/IMG_1679.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9FDPxl9kvJKUwtSx_hK-DXeYQuLd5BE70w4RUvB8Q4_K6p8lCcl8N19YMz7LQG8eo5P69m9cUf982slFOCmLhnc-TYF3QNZMUmDu4-okHa0bqLa-K_RJI3C4U9S2SeHBMYkRUgmXvIPBjxeM-nTjdpK6QULB1hbG0fuCuxSbQ2gdkHhOEQLieLluC5jA/w400-h300/IMG_1679.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Daniel and Jasmine spent Christmas with her family in Colorado this year so we decided to bring Christmas forward and spent a lovely 'Christmas Day' with them on the 9th before they jetted off on the 13th. We exchanged presents and had a full Christmas dinner and I have to say, it did actually feel like Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWkwROwaX1l87Q2lGlaIL2kw3tDRDkBTda9ffjjDN0Ndou_4tIYbAI7ex5lbzdZNGLXOlSOv0EBbOLIXRoMCdB7nmtlhOJIoTi7ouMia6eInucO0pwfaP-k1C5VivhHBBfnfVa1GAbW6QtQYS_6X_N6513YPf4NFZ-HQQcOC_dnJQpploLhfaCLHVrRM/s800/IMG_3640.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWkwROwaX1l87Q2lGlaIL2kw3tDRDkBTda9ffjjDN0Ndou_4tIYbAI7ex5lbzdZNGLXOlSOv0EBbOLIXRoMCdB7nmtlhOJIoTi7ouMia6eInucO0pwfaP-k1C5VivhHBBfnfVa1GAbW6QtQYS_6X_N6513YPf4NFZ-HQQcOC_dnJQpploLhfaCLHVrRM/w400-h300/IMG_3640.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The following day was very wet, I don't think the rain let up all day but having spent the full day before indoors, we really wanted to get out. <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/11/ripley-castle.html" target="_blank">Ripley Castle</a> was holding its Christmas market so we decided to have a drive out. Archie wasn't very pleased, he'd been having a snooze on the sofa before being rudely woken up and dragged out into the rain. We didn't stay long but it was nice to get out of the house.</p><p>I've read five books this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32WCh0uLvQ3CvkfKkODm-wfJXMON1tTCvx3VNCbY1CjCB5KA-bHPxyOPvTBihl104KAGVT6EA9Y5J0dSvefzml3b1NUsp2AUbcWdOLh1ODlodc0M-78lKTx6iOUoTqMo63z8-Rnz6bszxc7xRCUKTufQ0U4AIoscd2tx2FeNgFzG8AGoMqO2Mo2xjKw4/s800/P1110905.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32WCh0uLvQ3CvkfKkODm-wfJXMON1tTCvx3VNCbY1CjCB5KA-bHPxyOPvTBihl104KAGVT6EA9Y5J0dSvefzml3b1NUsp2AUbcWdOLh1ODlodc0M-78lKTx6iOUoTqMo63z8-Rnz6bszxc7xRCUKTufQ0U4AIoscd2tx2FeNgFzG8AGoMqO2Mo2xjKw4/w150-h200/P1110905.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman.<div><br /></div><div>"An old friend in the antiques business has been killed, and a dangerous package he was protecting has gone missing.</div><div><br /></div><div>As the gang spring into action, they encounter art forgers, online fraudsters and drug dealers, as well as heartache close to home.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the body count rising, the package still missing and trouble firmly on their tail, has their luck finally run out?</div><div><br /></div><div>And who will be the last devil to die?"</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the fourth book by Richard Osman and by now we expect to be fully entertained, and entertained we were, or at least I was. I loved this book, not the hardest plot to unravel but I find that Richard Osman's writing just gets better and better. This book gives him scope to jump from what he's used to into other, more emotional subjects and I think these parts are written in a sensitive and understanding manner. One of my favourite reads of the year.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx5Q3tgh0UCJ7C822mT0ql25znfH_SuHzpXaBI_NYbUnBGJO7-lmrmMICLeSQwY650Cunc667RN1mcDqPvG2Me9R8lhegFtBE1wWIaU7RmThbEf0khLKh-XLyZUTcjQMG9CGz7IGHASKjuJ7m0U4hNBMT38-0ghgO7HA5rI4X9dX41NyF5Z0AFI3ciwg/s800/P1120016.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVx5Q3tgh0UCJ7C822mT0ql25znfH_SuHzpXaBI_NYbUnBGJO7-lmrmMICLeSQwY650Cunc667RN1mcDqPvG2Me9R8lhegFtBE1wWIaU7RmThbEf0khLKh-XLyZUTcjQMG9CGz7IGHASKjuJ7m0U4hNBMT38-0ghgO7HA5rI4X9dX41NyF5Z0AFI3ciwg/w150-h200/P1120016.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The French Chateau Dream by Julie Caplin.<div><br /></div><div>"<i>You are invited to a summer of sparkling champagne, warm buttery croissants and a little bit of </i>je ne sais quoi...</div><div><br /></div><div>With a broken heart and a broken spirit, Hattie is in need of a summer escape. So when an opportunity comes up to work at a beautiful, stately chateau in the Champagne region of France she books her flights quicker than the pop of a cork.</div><div><br /></div><div>Romance is the last thing Hattie is looking for but then she wasn't expecting gorgeous Luc to stroll into her life. With picnics in the warm French sun and delicious trips to the local market, Hattie starts to wonder if a holiday fling - or maybe even something more - might be just what she needs."<br /><div><div><br /></div><div>I've read every one of Julie Caplin's Romantic Escapes books and enjoyed them all. Yes, it's the usual boy meets girl romance, but each book takes you on a trip somewhere different. I wouldn't say I have wanderlust but this author should be working for the tourism industry as she has me wanting to visit every country I read about. Another thumbs up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMvFVWo2tQ9RdDT3WsS4QOIULzXVTJIA9r046V5CG38MrGrG4cGQXPKYatTfQSRx-mfOzjMPsGGrJrXTzWMWrQ17mwMaTt6YEISc1JjyR3n8aP9olVztCbxyGT9pUfwp_UjaD6f72IzxQpspC46EmB1tbpVJUu4u2yljYUxjsOv9DvWnuB26Ubwyowog/s800/P1120052.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMvFVWo2tQ9RdDT3WsS4QOIULzXVTJIA9r046V5CG38MrGrG4cGQXPKYatTfQSRx-mfOzjMPsGGrJrXTzWMWrQ17mwMaTt6YEISc1JjyR3n8aP9olVztCbxyGT9pUfwp_UjaD6f72IzxQpspC46EmB1tbpVJUu4u2yljYUxjsOv9DvWnuB26Ubwyowog/w150-h200/P1120052.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div>Christmas with the Railway Girls by Maisie Thomas.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Manchester 1941.</div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas is the season for family and friends, and this year the railway girls will need each other more than ever.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cordelia appears to have the perfect life. When her daughter Emily arrives home unexpectedly, she can't wait to introduce her to her friends. But when things don't go to plan, Cordelia must decide where her loyalty lies.</div><div><br /></div><div>Things aren't going too smoothly for Alison either, Her beloved boyfriend has yet to propose, but there's a charity fundraiser dance and she's dressed up specially. Surely, tonight must be the night.</div><div><br /></div><div>Colette's friends are envious of her devoted husband; he meets her after every shift on the railway, and accompanies her around town. But Colette has a secret that could change her life - if only she knew who to confide in.</div><div><br /></div><div>With the festive season fast approaching, the railway girls are hoping for some Christmas magic..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to some Christmas reading now and this is the third book which my pen pal, Pauline, bought me last Christmas. I suspected from the title that this book is one from a series and after a little investigation, discovered that this is indeed the case.</div><div><br /></div><div>Many books which are part of a series can be read as stand alone stories and this is the case here, however, I do think you'd probably get more out of it if you'd read the preceding books first as many references are made to events which have already happened in earlier books and they're not fully explained. I also had a bit of a job following who was who at first whereas you'd have got to know all the characters gradually from the first books. Having said that, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and wouldn't hesitate in recommending this book if you enjoy fiction set in wartime.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_QSIhhmFQpqbxf5reRqEAeoIsmiF-cDX8Sun_tzq-sRJ-KwmoOIrNhyphenhyphenHJfsJ9ZmVO8GrRjXkg78TGlwFa5vH8xVvZnae1O0yCC6zEM9XddL8cn4kBBgR7t4yitUz_LPCHqCacRW7bV3xVnwa4xga6JAOWmrSGajHQemUdTTjpOoe9OL2S6liF-Q0AaE/s800/P1120055.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq_QSIhhmFQpqbxf5reRqEAeoIsmiF-cDX8Sun_tzq-sRJ-KwmoOIrNhyphenhyphenHJfsJ9ZmVO8GrRjXkg78TGlwFa5vH8xVvZnae1O0yCC6zEM9XddL8cn4kBBgR7t4yitUz_LPCHqCacRW7bV3xVnwa4xga6JAOWmrSGajHQemUdTTjpOoe9OL2S6liF-Q0AaE/w150-h200/P1120055.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Merrily Ever After by Cathy Bramley.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Two Strangers. One big secret. And a Christmas to remember...</div><div><br /></div><div>Merry has always wanted a family to spend Christmas with, and this year her dream comes true as she says 'I do' to father-of-two Cole. But as she juggles her rapidly-growing business, wedding planning and the two new children in her life, her dream begins to unravel.</div><div><br /></div><div>Emily is desperately waiting for the New Year to begin, so she can finally have a fresh start. She has always put her family first, leaving little time for happiness and love. When her beloved father Ray moves into a residential home, she discovers a photograph in his belongings that has the potential to change everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>As past secrets come to light, will this be a magical Christmas for Emily and Merry to remember?"</div><div><br /></div><div>You may remember that I read The Merry Christmas Project in October, a book which my pen pal bought me last year. I enjoyed it so much that I bought the sequel, well this is it.</div><div><br /></div><div>A year has passed and a Christmas wedding is on the cards, new characters are introduced and there's a dementia storyline running alongside the usual boy meets girl romance. I'm so pleased I bought this second book in the series as it was just as enjoyable. Another entertaining read. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrkmkgwSmxp8znBnAviZo-N8WYolGsCh9Dy3OOWZu5mHWkRvmoUplYr70zzZKJVxUl56LWSdL7IciBXuULGO_QOLDFLQGgFlCRmzTLBlHPSZjtSha6YyHjA68BclMhBVrrnaxp9gfHZUv2PeW_6T7Bkg9oWkuqCYu7UTEeZl1-XZX8w5_EpFGVg7VkeE/s800/P1120151.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrkmkgwSmxp8znBnAviZo-N8WYolGsCh9Dy3OOWZu5mHWkRvmoUplYr70zzZKJVxUl56LWSdL7IciBXuULGO_QOLDFLQGgFlCRmzTLBlHPSZjtSha6YyHjA68BclMhBVrrnaxp9gfHZUv2PeW_6T7Bkg9oWkuqCYu7UTEeZl1-XZX8w5_EpFGVg7VkeE/w150-h200/P1120151.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Celebrations For The Woolworths Girls by Elaine Everest.</div><div><br /></div><div>"It's February 1952 and while the nation grieves the death of King George VI, life must go on for the Woolworths Girls.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the Erith store there is a new temporary manager and Sarah is getting more than a little concerned by problems he seems to be creating. The whole mess is enough to make her want to resign.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, Ruby is extremely worried about her friend Vera and, with illness causing a problem from Vera's past to come flooding back, she knows it's going to take a lot of strength and willpower to do what needs to be done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there is Freda, looking forward to the arrival of her first child, but sick with worry that her Tony won't have returned home in time for the birth, let alone to run the Erith store.</div><div><br /></div><div>As coronation day for young Queen Elizabeth II approaches, the girls from Woolworths celebrate friendship, family and overcoming anything that life can throw at them..."</div><div><br /></div><div>The latest offering in the Woolworths Girls saga. I've read all the books in the series and they never disappoint. I am beginning to get a little confused about who is who though, after nine books we not only have the original characters but there's now their husbands and children, not to mention other unrelated characters who have been introduced along the way, and I'm not the best with names. It does keep me on my toes trying to follow who's who. Another enjoyable read though, I like the storylines which this author comes up with and I'm looking forward to reading more.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx7gNtb86kCDPMz6p47BgYNVPX7nDoinmRXH3L6FmHt859hhfgdGQ-vGuLgoUaWeQHjcGBoaCqccSPdE9fhPLMxkFrR-Aa6_iCVVq-9-QQDutDVJcVBGSudPNN9C-rCjHcs3OSPJAzp3Hk4sDGXQeaKcFlVqwaXioHD0CiHACzL4ID2lukOZJxYMHNqo/s782/IMG_3668.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="587" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigx7gNtb86kCDPMz6p47BgYNVPX7nDoinmRXH3L6FmHt859hhfgdGQ-vGuLgoUaWeQHjcGBoaCqccSPdE9fhPLMxkFrR-Aa6_iCVVq-9-QQDutDVJcVBGSudPNN9C-rCjHcs3OSPJAzp3Hk4sDGXQeaKcFlVqwaXioHD0CiHACzL4ID2lukOZJxYMHNqo/w300-h400/IMG_3668.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Haworth was hosting its Christmas celebrations in the run up to the big day. Unfortunately, the torchlight procession on the 9th of December was cancelled due to high winds and rain, though I believe it went ahead on the 10th. On the 16th we had a drive out for their Christmas Music Weekend. We saw a traditional brass band playing carols and a ukulele band too. Inside the church was the most beautiful organ music, very atmospheric. It was a nice day out.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmIB6wz-e_bw4QSgDB3l66Lq2j4KqI566Ow5Hxl6fNXPz4eMBOvqHJb1Tm42anBYv2Z7kPgxdaztduk7cq_dA3Odd8zgkndobVsLY4zIdFkL82SahUkRpDKt4W5JAeXYK-W3BEcSUiKIBp0Q55p7sqhjMv00exvX4sjdR07zTNLrwId0FhdH4vGHaGfo/s300/download%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmIB6wz-e_bw4QSgDB3l66Lq2j4KqI566Ow5Hxl6fNXPz4eMBOvqHJb1Tm42anBYv2Z7kPgxdaztduk7cq_dA3Odd8zgkndobVsLY4zIdFkL82SahUkRpDKt4W5JAeXYK-W3BEcSUiKIBp0Q55p7sqhjMv00exvX4sjdR07zTNLrwId0FhdH4vGHaGfo/w400-h224/download%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I'm not a huge film watcher so there's lots of Christmas films which I've never seen. I decided I'd make the effort to watch some of them this year so during December Mick and I have watched quite a few, by my standards anyway. We've watched The Snowman, The Snowman and the Snowdog, The Polar Express, Elf, Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Genie, Arthur Christmas, Deck the Halls, Scrooged and of course, no Christmas film viewing would be complete without National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Some of these films I've seen before and some I haven't. Some I thought were considerably better than others and some which were firm favourites already and some which I'll never bother watching again!</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIZeKSp5b3_TH78kh_BYibRQBMWOMj6nFyIqOHHx7JfW4oKdrqCOiBkA75W2v6HphrG4nYh5r3vcCRFVm7z_sfofHnp95WTp_j6NiDmadYVb9EJMZs11s9iARH4_IctUB1QNJaaqwSYnrWqod7zDwnlkug0YK6nyWRWdSg4799pLi017gE4-0OTECy1M/s800/P1120160.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIZeKSp5b3_TH78kh_BYibRQBMWOMj6nFyIqOHHx7JfW4oKdrqCOiBkA75W2v6HphrG4nYh5r3vcCRFVm7z_sfofHnp95WTp_j6NiDmadYVb9EJMZs11s9iARH4_IctUB1QNJaaqwSYnrWqod7zDwnlkug0YK6nyWRWdSg4799pLi017gE4-0OTECy1M/w400-h300/P1120160.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Christmas Day was lovely. Eleanor and Jacob joined us around midday as Jacob had been working a night shift on Christmas Eve so he caught up on a couple of hours sleep first. It was much quieter than usual with it being just the four of us but Daniel and Jasmine video called us in the afternoon, they're seven hours behind us in Colorado so they'd just got up. They were having a nice time with Jasmine's family. We may have been two men down but we still enjoyed our Christmas dinner, cooked mostly by Mick with just a little help from me (doesn't it always taste better when you don't cook it yourself) and enjoyed some games. We picked up a couple of new games when Tesco were having their toy sale, each of these cost just £5 and they've been a big hit.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjspurtkzioxEjpZU8qcXIugVYcjNwFJLsL25-u79_-M6mmR2yKxTYWKKc2szFQPoFFYXRj0C84aQPz16t8mzRT51uXP8dDcmxSzWGq7A_XlXE3d8HST-bRc26vquoA37p2SxqwsY5VPncnKimeAfv9rWEBHc7sxSYA7Z_xbG5GSjJnx60nCBlgBSc6wE/s800/IMG_3687.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjspurtkzioxEjpZU8qcXIugVYcjNwFJLsL25-u79_-M6mmR2yKxTYWKKc2szFQPoFFYXRj0C84aQPz16t8mzRT51uXP8dDcmxSzWGq7A_XlXE3d8HST-bRc26vquoA37p2SxqwsY5VPncnKimeAfv9rWEBHc7sxSYA7Z_xbG5GSjJnx60nCBlgBSc6wE/w400-h300/IMG_3687.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We'd planned to have a drive to the coast on Boxing Day but I wasn't feeling my best so that didn't happen. I didn't want to stay cooped up in the house so we took ourselves off for a walk down the lane. We'd had some terrible storms and were due more but it stayed dry and still while we were out. I'm glad I got out when I did as I've been a bit under the weather ever since with a hacking cough which is so bad that it's making me sick. I've been testing for Covid but each test has shown negative, thank goodness.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEOjLJkGvpsR0Exhg9n7RkyL6g6BBNh5KF58DjEdNDR7nyTMbxYF6rLMyz6o7b3wD85XrZPQD34Mk9izI1tHJixui-ls22PEocdC6lDLlpVTybmfLc2gJ4zzfNGmSKYmeASYc7OT0LOLitTLS_xXlYQ57yoE9ZJOcf66JnplyQV59MTmPEdNFqxAbjEo/s800/P1120170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQEOjLJkGvpsR0Exhg9n7RkyL6g6BBNh5KF58DjEdNDR7nyTMbxYF6rLMyz6o7b3wD85XrZPQD34Mk9izI1tHJixui-ls22PEocdC6lDLlpVTybmfLc2gJ4zzfNGmSKYmeASYc7OT0LOLitTLS_xXlYQ57yoE9ZJOcf66JnplyQV59MTmPEdNFqxAbjEo/w300-h400/P1120170.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Daniel and Jasmine arrived home on Friday evening, worn out after a long haul flight and then having to hang around at Heathrow for a connecting flight to Manchester. Mick drove over to pick them up so they didn't have to worry about getting home from there. We had a lovely time yesterday hearing all about their trip and catching up on each other's news and we're expecting everyone round again later today for the New Year's celebrations. I'm sure there'll be drinking and games involved, though I think the strongest drink I can manage at the moment is a cup of tea!</div><div><br /></div><div>That just leaves me to thank you all for visiting my blog and for all the wonderful comments so many of you leave throughout the year. Every one of them is very much appreciated. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.</div></div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-22102696865262344992023-12-28T10:59:00.000+00:002023-12-28T10:59:41.288+00:00Books Read In 2023<p>I've read fifty three books this year, not as many as some years but a few more than last year. I think I'm at a number which suits me though, it's averaged out at a smidgen over one book a week and this leaves me plenty of time for doing lots of other things which I enjoy too. Some of the books I've read have been quite short ones but then I've read some whoppers this year too, like Les Miserables and David Copperfield.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFIiet3drjpiTFk1r_6g0T0ZhiBeCiHkSPgePo57zRiNYiH48RQzwYsDbbj9SlUyKrdXgE9to6mRMN44Qw8qLwAf_-FHzLJMdbyCvXqHVHbap2hoMwi2n1Qlh6lls2k1jdAwUmpDo2l3RJuHnLv0MYZ8vicFUOwNnohrRMiZ68W346aljPrBrf2KwvMU/s800/P1110900.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFIiet3drjpiTFk1r_6g0T0ZhiBeCiHkSPgePo57zRiNYiH48RQzwYsDbbj9SlUyKrdXgE9to6mRMN44Qw8qLwAf_-FHzLJMdbyCvXqHVHbap2hoMwi2n1Qlh6lls2k1jdAwUmpDo2l3RJuHnLv0MYZ8vicFUOwNnohrRMiZ68W346aljPrBrf2KwvMU/w400-h300/P1110900.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm still enjoying reading some classics, and some of them children's books which I missed out on when I was a child myself. I continue to thoroughly enjoy Charles Dickens but there's been some duds too, such as The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5J9_ukL-P-TSSAdi38Ho2Vh1sS_BwwJRZ-AJVc1atd7bZI6UjAN4hz5QGDLBQggYBftrFvpfzHd2NDtlAlWfRKImxEVAB1NZryjGQpZBuj_Yr3b9-R9XX7TJqqPVQAoJGSiA58Ee_CRblITsVEVDZ9Gw_u_Qr-9rTsAaRBtfk_SpTAuNsKQeoMHJwF0/s800/P1110721.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5J9_ukL-P-TSSAdi38Ho2Vh1sS_BwwJRZ-AJVc1atd7bZI6UjAN4hz5QGDLBQggYBftrFvpfzHd2NDtlAlWfRKImxEVAB1NZryjGQpZBuj_Yr3b9-R9XX7TJqqPVQAoJGSiA58Ee_CRblITsVEVDZ9Gw_u_Qr-9rTsAaRBtfk_SpTAuNsKQeoMHJwF0/w400-h300/P1110721.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I finished reading the Thrush Green series by Miss Read which I embarked on after finishing the Fairacre series. They're books I'd definitely recommend, such gentle village life tales of yesteryear.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NF939WSklaExEKLaHRFGAgEMRJ6BDMmOZsnXrFC_QD7Qd7YaKFYEaEL28dN1ECBTl3GMcIkBK-6hKpF5evI5nG8rYLCQDcuuIh0n7PSYXbUWcJ6DyV9LUBkHyhcZGPCWsbW8ycai3pJvZ-MpJC2AcdHcWUYPq6QGyWxEUwiiJgP9t20nC25VVo10sDo/s800/P1110803.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NF939WSklaExEKLaHRFGAgEMRJ6BDMmOZsnXrFC_QD7Qd7YaKFYEaEL28dN1ECBTl3GMcIkBK-6hKpF5evI5nG8rYLCQDcuuIh0n7PSYXbUWcJ6DyV9LUBkHyhcZGPCWsbW8ycai3pJvZ-MpJC2AcdHcWUYPq6QGyWxEUwiiJgP9t20nC25VVo10sDo/w400-h300/P1110803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I've managed to catch up with all the latest releases from my favourite authors by using my local library. I even remembered to keep checking well in advance of Richard Osman's new book being released so that I wasn't number one hundred and whatever in the queue, as I was when I reserved his first one. I was only number twelve when I requested the new one.</p><p><br /></p><p>My Name is Eva - Suzanne Goldring</p><p>Battles at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Animal Farm - George Orwell</p><p>The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne</p><p>Return to Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman</p><p>The Jungle Book - Rudyard Kipling</p><p>Gossip From Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>The Woolworths Girl's Promise - Elaine Everest</p><p>The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde</p><p>Mrs England - Stacey Halls</p><p>Affairs at Thrust Green - Miss Read</p><p>Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens</p><p>At Home in Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Picking up the Pieces - Amanda Prowse</p><p>Finding Happiness at Penvennan Cove - Linn B Halton</p><p>The School at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Les Miserables - Victor Hugo</p><p>The Road Trip - Beth O'Leary</p><p>Friends at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Treasure Island - Robert Louis Stevenson</p><p>The Ebb-Tide - Robert Louis Stevenson</p><p>David Copperfield - Charles Dickens</p><p>The Testimony of Alys Twist - Suzannah Dunn</p><p>Celebrations at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Bronte</p><p>The Year at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Someone Else's Shoes - Jojo Moyes</p><p>Three Sisters - Heather Morris</p><p>How to Kill Your Family - Bella Mackie</p><p>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll</p><p>Christmas at Thrush Green - Miss Read</p><p>Lessons in Chemistry - Bonnie Garmus</p><p>From a Far and Lovely Country - Alexander McCall Smith</p><p>A Merry Little Christmas - Julia Williams</p><p>Strictly Christmas Spirit - Helen Buckley</p><p>The Merry Christmas Project - Cathy Bramley</p><p>Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Robert Louis Stevenson</p><p>The Bottle Imp - Robert Louis Stevenson</p><p>The Nightingale Daughters - Donna Douglas</p><p>The Magician's Nephew - C.S.Lewis</p><p>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S.Lewis</p><p>The Horse and his Boy - C.S.Lewis</p><p>Prince Caspian - C.S.Lewis</p><p>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S.Lewis</p><p>The Silver Chair - C.S.Lewis</p><p>The Last Battle - C.S.Lewis</p><p>All Good Things - Amanda Prowse</p><p>The Last Devil to Die - Richard Osman</p><p>The French Chateau Dream - Julie Caplin</p><p>Christmas with the Railway Girls - Maisie Thomas</p><p>Merrily Every After - Cathy Bramley</p><p>Celebrations for the Woolworths Girls - Elaine Everest</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN0wxUL7ee6Vza03gQyIlf_Yqwo_kA96AjGaqdyfyytx7-KW1Uuo-dlJj5zzSC1oOivh75GUrUYMv4OkkeCb0nNNGXvWri5ceSiKdg-zfUeUNsYPR1hxz4aNyv1txC6XzOKgpDAsWrKfo3oGKS_131CeL6Bcq5G4vlw8_dfgC4iF0hkKoUfMFvmnT3Fs/s800/P1110896.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN0wxUL7ee6Vza03gQyIlf_Yqwo_kA96AjGaqdyfyytx7-KW1Uuo-dlJj5zzSC1oOivh75GUrUYMv4OkkeCb0nNNGXvWri5ceSiKdg-zfUeUNsYPR1hxz4aNyv1txC6XzOKgpDAsWrKfo3oGKS_131CeL6Bcq5G4vlw8_dfgC4iF0hkKoUfMFvmnT3Fs/w300-h400/P1110896.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Favourites from this year include Les Miserables, David Copperfield, The Last Devil to Die and Lessons in Chemistry. A mixed bunch but I think reading a wide range of genres keeps things interesting.</p><p>Going forward into 2024 I plan on doing much the same, reading a few classics and picking up anything new from my favourite authors. Now that I've finished reading the Miss Read books I plan on embarking on a new series, The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. I've never read anything by this author before but I've heard great reviews so I asked for the first book in the series for Christmas. I've also heard good things about the Ruth Galloway mysteries by Elly Griffiths so I picked up the first one in this series when I saw it in TK Maxx. It's exciting to be starting something new.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-76181189709848590392023-12-23T10:51:00.000+00:002023-12-23T10:51:08.571+00:00Merry Christmas 2023<p>It's going to be a quiet Christmas for us this year. Daniel and Jasmine are in Colorado visiting her family so it will just be Eleanor and Jacob joining us for Christmas dinner. Jacob's on a night shift on Christmas Eve so they won't be arriving until a little later in the day and Eleanor's working Boxing Day so they won't be wanting a late night. </p><p>Mick's off work though now until the new year so I'm looking forward to enjoying the days ahead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ43K6awYDIy2Yp2SYFEILA_aXXza4n74-Vl3RKq6uj68HI4j_vt587_4s1-15niMLIWnpubx20RPLAumU1Iluo8oRl9BMTNIjYMVo1Vu0LZqcrcMt59TvsUwVSh1T_FnYEpA8g-J217H17L1hyphenhyphenF5KF7aaemMSWQwhlRmv72v5EJtZVU5zn4sNnqS0xY/s800/P1110933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQ43K6awYDIy2Yp2SYFEILA_aXXza4n74-Vl3RKq6uj68HI4j_vt587_4s1-15niMLIWnpubx20RPLAumU1Iluo8oRl9BMTNIjYMVo1Vu0LZqcrcMt59TvsUwVSh1T_FnYEpA8g-J217H17L1hyphenhyphenF5KF7aaemMSWQwhlRmv72v5EJtZVU5zn4sNnqS0xY/w400-h300/P1110933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas. I hope it's everything you wish for.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-29545747353919005022023-12-12T10:48:00.000+00:002023-12-12T10:48:56.096+00:00The Christmas Experience<p>We visit various events at Lotherton throughout the year but one thing we never miss is The Christmas Experience when all areas of the house and estate are decorated for the festive season.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FDhErJ9SBTn7TnsRtvRLDgmep83MJDISmQIylioL_HsSrUwMoacqVB3QsrJh0-Dr8Ptmz72uTZ1zYcxqLxSRdmFLea0S1DCb8_dW4Q4zJtAWXU-6boTCSA1JsBirQ6b_ivv60kUZGGkNM1Vte_9UWJ5ZbaUm4YLxEuqwmAfW3SKa7MwvFU14-I6epzM/s800/P1120142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FDhErJ9SBTn7TnsRtvRLDgmep83MJDISmQIylioL_HsSrUwMoacqVB3QsrJh0-Dr8Ptmz72uTZ1zYcxqLxSRdmFLea0S1DCb8_dW4Q4zJtAWXU-6boTCSA1JsBirQ6b_ivv60kUZGGkNM1Vte_9UWJ5ZbaUm4YLxEuqwmAfW3SKa7MwvFU14-I6epzM/w300-h400/P1120142.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>There's certain things which are there every year but they do try and change it up a bit so that each time you visit is that bit different.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqdh5ArEjFE_Fp0RsvUcZfUDzKLu9fUgWJ0IgAxcWG8omskv9JV3KcalCGsYYgp9kMrfSw9Sc9Xm5Ae63uobOEhreiNDRUJovCvdRM-12QoViOJawfn3SwUTHdJhGNvLRnIk3wGIQ9_RhkAeekk1KUEDwNCuZkynEaUvNE1Xfzan1RHQYi2tX_1nN5l4/s800/P1120143.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOqdh5ArEjFE_Fp0RsvUcZfUDzKLu9fUgWJ0IgAxcWG8omskv9JV3KcalCGsYYgp9kMrfSw9Sc9Xm5Ae63uobOEhreiNDRUJovCvdRM-12QoViOJawfn3SwUTHdJhGNvLRnIk3wGIQ9_RhkAeekk1KUEDwNCuZkynEaUvNE1Xfzan1RHQYi2tX_1nN5l4/w400-h300/P1120143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As you can see from the map, there's lots of things to do and see. It's especially magical for children as they're able to visit Santa or decorate gingerbread people with Mrs Claus in the Hall.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeudot16ZUbAivcrn_Ra_VgtiHbRDTU41Fpww3WjFmFuw5QJYbxRJ49Ns5DK7hTZHqDuflTtoooAYFZxMuq0oUma5TGnYHCj5gukKoTT1OJoBH7Jvx3zUUmKHG4PifQME0SLroUxrlYBuuDb5X7YF7Llu1leK5FNNdu8wtAaaC7td2rx1I10TmihUB9qU/s800/P1120133.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeudot16ZUbAivcrn_Ra_VgtiHbRDTU41Fpww3WjFmFuw5QJYbxRJ49Ns5DK7hTZHqDuflTtoooAYFZxMuq0oUma5TGnYHCj5gukKoTT1OJoBH7Jvx3zUUmKHG4PifQME0SLroUxrlYBuuDb5X7YF7Llu1leK5FNNdu8wtAaaC7td2rx1I10TmihUB9qU/w400-h300/P1120133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We didn't go inside the house on this occasion as we had Archie with us but you can see a little of what it's like in my <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2022/12/christmas-at-lotherton.html" target="_blank">Christmas At Lotherton</a> post from last year. Instead, we opted to take the Festive Woodland Walk and wander through the formal gardens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSwdltTC-qwvjbmWFPrnRLfe-as7jfgW2c6mk1dcg7CRlmmkN04bXT5EyJ_9RiyuuobZB7Gj8BfLHAr87LJtYeIxC5DKxjrlQnuy_VAph3tU6nh06BWmNj4w6BqG9B8rU64x-acaXjA47vZ-EhqXA3Y1FcNfNg6ICJ4kPQGWSrthRIQ2G-acmbG1tJ5U/s800/P1120123.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbSwdltTC-qwvjbmWFPrnRLfe-as7jfgW2c6mk1dcg7CRlmmkN04bXT5EyJ_9RiyuuobZB7Gj8BfLHAr87LJtYeIxC5DKxjrlQnuy_VAph3tU6nh06BWmNj4w6BqG9B8rU64x-acaXjA47vZ-EhqXA3Y1FcNfNg6ICJ4kPQGWSrthRIQ2G-acmbG1tJ5U/w400-h300/P1120123.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a cold but bright wintry day when we visited last week and Archie definitely needed his coat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUQPbfUwTbRXE9QFZ3SWqj3Zgf1U2CEYa7A-lXUaoPG_1naYZnounljgJZgY7SJNKAc92pn76O7vxZyd3otTZjkJcQNAa2TK7Vpy3OSkYm-lFNnzzqg0FZjEx13vPoNSYXXCkPJIXBZ0FpeXkaWJeudWbF53a3qdXIgdB9-pOmfdloX0zLtIh2hUW0dE/s800/P1120131.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUQPbfUwTbRXE9QFZ3SWqj3Zgf1U2CEYa7A-lXUaoPG_1naYZnounljgJZgY7SJNKAc92pn76O7vxZyd3otTZjkJcQNAa2TK7Vpy3OSkYm-lFNnzzqg0FZjEx13vPoNSYXXCkPJIXBZ0FpeXkaWJeudWbF53a3qdXIgdB9-pOmfdloX0zLtIh2hUW0dE/w400-h300/P1120131.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As you walk around the grounds you discover various installations which have a little information about how they play a part in the Christmas celebrations. Most of them are interactive which is great for little ones.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXl8HxeUkGjb967UgtH9IVsTeFigQf86UO57MHimBkJrSUD0rzn7Y4jajgJ5WZoP8q_RSDOy2oG6zjZUeTTc6wG0FDn41ojQkMCqGHeVilRrVHlL_XWLBFLbnc0GxvNgF0ZGs8wMpp_tnyvyitopFpFL6SvzUeAD8kEKtht3sv_nBwudDyYCZynqaQoI/s800/P1120128.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXl8HxeUkGjb967UgtH9IVsTeFigQf86UO57MHimBkJrSUD0rzn7Y4jajgJ5WZoP8q_RSDOy2oG6zjZUeTTc6wG0FDn41ojQkMCqGHeVilRrVHlL_XWLBFLbnc0GxvNgF0ZGs8wMpp_tnyvyitopFpFL6SvzUeAD8kEKtht3sv_nBwudDyYCZynqaQoI/w300-h400/P1120128.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I must admit that it's not only children who enjoy having a go at things though, some of the installations can cause much hilarity in those of us who are young at heart too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8u2Gozji_hW9XrAIPgjHqv9eGCndskV-Mf8t_vdjAHbF_nwhEh_JT39nH7yfo_LV-BEECYShJI9w7alYYaCyNUVFHygzLb0Em5x_sLjj6PYp0ExAwwg0jiOyXDY0mKMDV-kwMl4WwW1Lhpu0lFe1iGI_yjuj48EsHoyRavsU2_6Ljyrg8FLxpaSxLXg/s800/P1120114.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8u2Gozji_hW9XrAIPgjHqv9eGCndskV-Mf8t_vdjAHbF_nwhEh_JT39nH7yfo_LV-BEECYShJI9w7alYYaCyNUVFHygzLb0Em5x_sLjj6PYp0ExAwwg0jiOyXDY0mKMDV-kwMl4WwW1Lhpu0lFe1iGI_yjuj48EsHoyRavsU2_6Ljyrg8FLxpaSxLXg/w400-h300/P1120114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Reindeer Race is a favourite.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5yL964SX2PE-Vek_ESYHGVZAeOqBq2GjyXgIf9Xx5x4HXZvw_AU3eB3oiZlMjyK8k5-MGV26QZeB6BSpFUHnnf4xzR6BgJTWbNXaeuT6t_OO-c2trsvkvyaxowedH0LWkCED2NkGZRlVeXL0g2Cha8FKXCtLHx43EtWE5jzxg2l9UhupkvoEckliIL8/s800/P1120117.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5yL964SX2PE-Vek_ESYHGVZAeOqBq2GjyXgIf9Xx5x4HXZvw_AU3eB3oiZlMjyK8k5-MGV26QZeB6BSpFUHnnf4xzR6BgJTWbNXaeuT6t_OO-c2trsvkvyaxowedH0LWkCED2NkGZRlVeXL0g2Cha8FKXCtLHx43EtWE5jzxg2l9UhupkvoEckliIL8/w400-h300/P1120117.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You have to turn a wheel to make your reindeer move and the quickest one wins the race. One of us is very competitive and it's not me!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aD1fFbUqXD-wBBFR5ZKAd0cvO9KqYzhYFbfZu-DrQJS_6R32Tw74ZcU_Gr8sLf0GIIDoNRvZZmR0lcS_Y8vm2tIjNtcIZeQT79a4SvHhnZG77FhLM74EOUw-3I1YAzhma-oTfWXTevXXoS5RkjGOQ-x8z77naks8UA0KzhL2d2IYrQrrB10sN_UuYNE/s800/P1120112.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aD1fFbUqXD-wBBFR5ZKAd0cvO9KqYzhYFbfZu-DrQJS_6R32Tw74ZcU_Gr8sLf0GIIDoNRvZZmR0lcS_Y8vm2tIjNtcIZeQT79a4SvHhnZG77FhLM74EOUw-3I1YAzhma-oTfWXTevXXoS5RkjGOQ-x8z77naks8UA0KzhL2d2IYrQrrB10sN_UuYNE/w300-h400/P1120112.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Turn the wheel and the carolers will sing We Wish You a Merry Christmas.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyr7RCQSp_ebXlBEJEetvw0toq0dap0mkEaU1oKHNz6pnNYCl2FI1OU9ykFZaUCaYCJRohvd1jCLB6s07hjdl_fQXAcoy65st3xKh-kdYbsGcjhtMjzbDMWndfl68anX-C_8sL82gypol5lJrPg6FNqUKHAnAhd_XkV2ZNiiWrIQ92ag1DFs1r5Gt4Xs/s800/P1120118.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoyr7RCQSp_ebXlBEJEetvw0toq0dap0mkEaU1oKHNz6pnNYCl2FI1OU9ykFZaUCaYCJRohvd1jCLB6s07hjdl_fQXAcoy65st3xKh-kdYbsGcjhtMjzbDMWndfl68anX-C_8sL82gypol5lJrPg6FNqUKHAnAhd_XkV2ZNiiWrIQ92ag1DFs1r5Gt4Xs/w400-h300/P1120118.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A gingerbread house in the woods. Perhaps the witch from Hansel and Gretel lives here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf-lGvevBHT-F_F-0SR3ZrDKF_SYhBEzLhJ-qDgUo08NSh1CRRrinw_xJ5Kv6W1M5XpMEBJKpLc7JLCs3eJ5Os_SDDxKmhu-RNueQ3e34bXwtKxDbVPo8fCo1xovLt0ohPENMzrWULFFHgcPchk5O28jjeosNa1Qf-GyXDnSSgjDjrOfORF882cZVBA8/s800/P1120110.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdf-lGvevBHT-F_F-0SR3ZrDKF_SYhBEzLhJ-qDgUo08NSh1CRRrinw_xJ5Kv6W1M5XpMEBJKpLc7JLCs3eJ5Os_SDDxKmhu-RNueQ3e34bXwtKxDbVPo8fCo1xovLt0ohPENMzrWULFFHgcPchk5O28jjeosNa1Qf-GyXDnSSgjDjrOfORF882cZVBA8/w400-h300/P1120110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had lots of laughs as we stood in front of these Christmas presents, a hall of mirrors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqBJzgLfJ4oa3IbUGFsNbCe7vPnwy1-znxMwpseD3ujZoBBL6izqyPJglX19JBURuMQaYq7gBj51hyb50PuVuuprzpavxHKHskjc72Pf-UEdogLozSGilJfNOrVC62ODq_Go1zzEZS-PGz3xiJNt75yBz_LhyIlgk62fJQUzQolFE-7CrMxKuEkyBbpI/s800/P1120103.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqBJzgLfJ4oa3IbUGFsNbCe7vPnwy1-znxMwpseD3ujZoBBL6izqyPJglX19JBURuMQaYq7gBj51hyb50PuVuuprzpavxHKHskjc72Pf-UEdogLozSGilJfNOrVC62ODq_Go1zzEZS-PGz3xiJNt75yBz_LhyIlgk62fJQUzQolFE-7CrMxKuEkyBbpI/w400-h300/P1120103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We came to the Lotherton advent calendar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfURkF2VCH1rtGVDn7LQVXAWzQMdqprHBxqwVpK3-Ew83BuwvLGRRgqeFyibJuM8AgPGY0wtZEWIedn-6NzPypnjZh5CtbErQ8AW6DvuSYj-KhbZ018JXdAwA3fW8l3toOXCzkgIvBFe9rpA3mvuUtJtbD-85vJOh6_6WX1qY6V7nqMjue_UcFk1Qr1G0/s800/P1120108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfURkF2VCH1rtGVDn7LQVXAWzQMdqprHBxqwVpK3-Ew83BuwvLGRRgqeFyibJuM8AgPGY0wtZEWIedn-6NzPypnjZh5CtbErQ8AW6DvuSYj-KhbZ018JXdAwA3fW8l3toOXCzkgIvBFe9rpA3mvuUtJtbD-85vJOh6_6WX1qY6V7nqMjue_UcFk1Qr1G0/w400-h300/P1120108.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Archie had his obligatory annual photo and looked just about as impressed as he has done in previous years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRg1f_TmSEK3zom2hktp_E5ccECEx2Mjhb_af4R0tbPTpTEr3MWH6Jk9mML8FZ7KD4Zgs-d2p1hclhs_g9Xrp0NppkMEfxlBMrvubZXRhzz3U1WItTCmWaKSmOweKKW0v8dMaMntIS7095biC1XdZqf5mRD5m7PEJJvFmVcxmw6WMByGdYiQAmOfhNG0/s800/P1120099.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRg1f_TmSEK3zom2hktp_E5ccECEx2Mjhb_af4R0tbPTpTEr3MWH6Jk9mML8FZ7KD4Zgs-d2p1hclhs_g9Xrp0NppkMEfxlBMrvubZXRhzz3U1WItTCmWaKSmOweKKW0v8dMaMntIS7095biC1XdZqf5mRD5m7PEJJvFmVcxmw6WMByGdYiQAmOfhNG0/w400-h300/P1120099.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The fun continues into the formal gardens where you'll find this Christmas cracker. If you pull the ends you'll hear a joke.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvrm-ZoC7MolTdekYGLsVxCJcPldWBYdzBqAm6hKudQCAB0aVZakzjkx3PsMEm3C5dVQ2QU2Wm0ljBFznbufLi64Dw88FTvoHXqLNUNWt6EnAViHLn6MXNDa80mR0EeJr6iO1lv6kPxwFfDrOKsZCxs88gEAP6RZBCEP_o7dkZWF2HcQjvqsAcL0q71Y/s800/P1120101.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSvrm-ZoC7MolTdekYGLsVxCJcPldWBYdzBqAm6hKudQCAB0aVZakzjkx3PsMEm3C5dVQ2QU2Wm0ljBFznbufLi64Dw88FTvoHXqLNUNWt6EnAViHLn6MXNDa80mR0EeJr6iO1lv6kPxwFfDrOKsZCxs88gEAP6RZBCEP_o7dkZWF2HcQjvqsAcL0q71Y/w400-h300/P1120101.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The pond was frozen solid but it had been decorated. I bet it looks amazing in the dark. I should just say here that you are able to visit after dark and from what I've seen, the house and grounds look fabulous all lit up. We've always visited the Christmas event during daylight hours but perhaps we'll make the effort to see it after dusk next year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMCjY7PXb6CQhx3FbRjG1XZH_V4hYa5BYrKog2IYY0bJo_djBcbFbsIDlUootn4lfWczYNAmfzjtALJ04oqBSRJon3CAwih6JiOJIIAwKGbigN7qmXTKxJ6bTyl9D2_ed0TLVejBT6zXBlToSlyMRXNn1EUOcZU9y-x58XUUzH2WogCLeXTQBA_qlh4Y/s800/P1120096.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMCjY7PXb6CQhx3FbRjG1XZH_V4hYa5BYrKog2IYY0bJo_djBcbFbsIDlUootn4lfWczYNAmfzjtALJ04oqBSRJon3CAwih6JiOJIIAwKGbigN7qmXTKxJ6bTyl9D2_ed0TLVejBT6zXBlToSlyMRXNn1EUOcZU9y-x58XUUzH2WogCLeXTQBA_qlh4Y/w400-h300/P1120096.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Fairy Dell is always a favourite. As you walk through you can hear the fairies whispering and giggling.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0E4e1316B2xGypafCCdSRn4VBAJlRpzuyfGD74feo-a65rNVxTYzlk8LdZhaC2pR90aPZUQhSn47B07_2T18vo6Co0rj7A1guAINQqWOCIzXZPyMDRimw0ydMK3vEgX6RuO2nxXEuQci_AtgMOvY_NZBq1Tuu4btCKhTERzCE5M24AXnoQjI9VtpQJs/s800/P1120093.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0E4e1316B2xGypafCCdSRn4VBAJlRpzuyfGD74feo-a65rNVxTYzlk8LdZhaC2pR90aPZUQhSn47B07_2T18vo6Co0rj7A1guAINQqWOCIzXZPyMDRimw0ydMK3vEgX6RuO2nxXEuQci_AtgMOvY_NZBq1Tuu4btCKhTERzCE5M24AXnoQjI9VtpQJs/w400-h300/P1120093.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The little houses have so much detail. You can see more in <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-fairy-dell.html" target="_blank">The Fairy Dell</a> post which I wrote a couple of years ago.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx5hqDZWqfPOByy_Uz6qN4eQngf9ktbzOXDtceZxXLuKoj4lRPP_xhmPGraI7d93_7RzUYyHb6YwzzVDv2QKTI6FXxz12r9wvTM1Nl7jXfUEM1mCF9T_j0IkBhcmm1qwjKlH5DoI0eaP-pBuOpxmb2LmMTGd4-jCrub1r5UFMLvS2m5VcaDW2dsDuH4w/s800/P1120082.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBx5hqDZWqfPOByy_Uz6qN4eQngf9ktbzOXDtceZxXLuKoj4lRPP_xhmPGraI7d93_7RzUYyHb6YwzzVDv2QKTI6FXxz12r9wvTM1Nl7jXfUEM1mCF9T_j0IkBhcmm1qwjKlH5DoI0eaP-pBuOpxmb2LmMTGd4-jCrub1r5UFMLvS2m5VcaDW2dsDuH4w/w400-h300/P1120082.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We walked past the house which is suitably decorated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzSjBAxC_B6BfVjkWddwyIWM_s852dt84I9ZsYImcQgysKiiq0UcTa_0Zw-wR2I_OURmn8Ssie7hMtvsSbMzc9IMfXY_xf_JILt20Q3PHVTpLuteSw0dJsBXjHIl1d2zCtJH87DHmIdjf3cKx-0MX6H0eSguVsLWRJ9TO9phk9pQxiqQteRRK81O7ksw/s800/P1120091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzSjBAxC_B6BfVjkWddwyIWM_s852dt84I9ZsYImcQgysKiiq0UcTa_0Zw-wR2I_OURmn8Ssie7hMtvsSbMzc9IMfXY_xf_JILt20Q3PHVTpLuteSw0dJsBXjHIl1d2zCtJH87DHmIdjf3cKx-0MX6H0eSguVsLWRJ9TO9phk9pQxiqQteRRK81O7ksw/w400-h300/P1120091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm sure it all looks different again when the lights are illuminated at night.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxo-tVw8PX3o_j96oG96kYiAnmVZg3guhNIguEczw-R5u2VtMv5ir4GQfQGFaAM1OE1RtFGafFT_VQ3VEUh8IBDtAM_Ye7QhHEVb2fblEyohfjmCSSI8SgeObi03dwG1lMptXIfbQ6nP_c3bPbQPb10CAlWt01di27_DksN9hM_RLrG8EWMGjIwKBKaU/s800/P1120136.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixxo-tVw8PX3o_j96oG96kYiAnmVZg3guhNIguEczw-R5u2VtMv5ir4GQfQGFaAM1OE1RtFGafFT_VQ3VEUh8IBDtAM_Ye7QhHEVb2fblEyohfjmCSSI8SgeObi03dwG1lMptXIfbQ6nP_c3bPbQPb10CAlWt01di27_DksN9hM_RLrG8EWMGjIwKBKaU/w300-h400/P1120136.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Before we left I popped into the Elf Village to have a quick look around. Dogs aren't allowed here so Mick had to wait outside with Archie and we daren't disobey the rules as this guardsman was keeping watch (one of the twelve drummers drumming).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hu74OlzRrzrMkY_7BzyIE2scVVHLQSagloxHA9XF3CWHKqn-vmdb-PFKje046ESsPZDg3DsIaIFLLCco_pZJIhEdI_n6KEOmkbzoiybAo0RkArxeltONa_LUPJ7-GOKbQLYO466YJ8PTADv7FXrl_eZ8wLFcMOP9d1qYZ7F-iWOiJ411Z5uqSJ6HRgc/s800/P1120139.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hu74OlzRrzrMkY_7BzyIE2scVVHLQSagloxHA9XF3CWHKqn-vmdb-PFKje046ESsPZDg3DsIaIFLLCco_pZJIhEdI_n6KEOmkbzoiybAo0RkArxeltONa_LUPJ7-GOKbQLYO466YJ8PTADv7FXrl_eZ8wLFcMOP9d1qYZ7F-iWOiJ411Z5uqSJ6HRgc/w400-h300/P1120139.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You can get refreshments in the Elf Village or do a little shopping for baubles and decorations. Little ones are able to make reindeer food to sprinkle outdoors on Christmas Eve.</p><p>Another enjoyable time at The Christmas Experience. It was very quiet when we were there but I should imagine it's much busier after school and on weekends. A great place to go with little ones.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-91700561413514132852023-11-30T07:29:00.001+00:002023-11-30T07:36:50.183+00:00November 2023<p>The hours of daylight are now less and winter is knocking on the door, in fact, we've got a sprinkling of snow this morning, the first of the season. It's not my favourite time of year with the colder months ahead but at least we've got Christmas to look forward to.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZCWGUHqsluYpDAzXPLscotQ5w4C8M0taLNmeGfrvPu_aE04Z_vujbymhJwt9nrGMClLE834J6t-LadufDZTja3XE7QAlMEqOkTO9sQfB5cBPp5gVK9yQiYSuK8NMjz_wQXLcOWmtk2YZNefYesFR83kR5Jzvz0vxVl4JfozywcX_Y4YbBlW4tQ-RCB8/s800/IMG_3544.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZCWGUHqsluYpDAzXPLscotQ5w4C8M0taLNmeGfrvPu_aE04Z_vujbymhJwt9nrGMClLE834J6t-LadufDZTja3XE7QAlMEqOkTO9sQfB5cBPp5gVK9yQiYSuK8NMjz_wQXLcOWmtk2YZNefYesFR83kR5Jzvz0vxVl4JfozywcX_Y4YbBlW4tQ-RCB8/w400-h300/IMG_3544.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Christmas markets and craft fairs have started popping up this month and I always enjoy visiting some in the run up to the festive season. The huge German market in the centre of Leeds is back this year after a four year hiatus but it gets so busy. We haven't been yet this holiday season but we did go to a smaller festive makers market at a nearby farm shop. We came home with a new ornament for the tree and a bottle of locally produced beer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXpwLYMA0k1fON1H1B6lhHeUTu8jwbTgj4-Nj7-0qYn9DFj0xNvOeepYSdbmEanZ9VCVhnOWDwPfTnXy5HaFc-19wienlzijrYPjwr47I8woIa3-zJEDe6-wj0MbSTPCvD-HJJw25iJnzRF3ttzfFsohUfuDBXU8hB1E36zseB6dwwKRPXa6mKITuvrw/s800/IMG_3590.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXpwLYMA0k1fON1H1B6lhHeUTu8jwbTgj4-Nj7-0qYn9DFj0xNvOeepYSdbmEanZ9VCVhnOWDwPfTnXy5HaFc-19wienlzijrYPjwr47I8woIa3-zJEDe6-wj0MbSTPCvD-HJJw25iJnzRF3ttzfFsohUfuDBXU8hB1E36zseB6dwwKRPXa6mKITuvrw/w300-h400/IMG_3590.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>We visited our local high street for the annual Christmas lights switch on. The whole road is closed off to traffic and there's usually market stalls set up along the pavements but it was a little disappointing this year as the market had been cancelled by the powers that be. I've read various reasons for this so I don't really know why, but there was still a stage with musical entertainment, side stalls such as hook-a-duck, children's fairground rides, and food vendors. Some of the shops stayed open too. I like to support local events but my goodness, the weather had suddenly changed and it was freezing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9q_E42UGEjfEX3N2TlkKbkfXgJ1qvmiuoaqxLw6DqPBd42zIcCcoKknWsY3hsBoDW-qBayee3l_srWMcqaVMnELrmOkbT4ksYi7QLG45580M5Fwvobj-VTxd29BXdwnSQwNa5yGhjE2dLLcq0Js5n1FUqUwr7jglV-e1C94eHJo4sjJcpgpthUm4kVU/s800/IMG_3608.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9q_E42UGEjfEX3N2TlkKbkfXgJ1qvmiuoaqxLw6DqPBd42zIcCcoKknWsY3hsBoDW-qBayee3l_srWMcqaVMnELrmOkbT4ksYi7QLG45580M5Fwvobj-VTxd29BXdwnSQwNa5yGhjE2dLLcq0Js5n1FUqUwr7jglV-e1C94eHJo4sjJcpgpthUm4kVU/w400-h300/IMG_3608.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I saw on Instagram that various vendors who were exhibiting at Yorkshire Yarn Festival last Sunday were offering free tickets so I took one of them up on the offer. Eleanor came with me, it's the first yarn show she's been to as although she can knit and crochet a little, it's not really her thing, but she did enjoy looking at the different stalls and squishing the yarn. It was nice for me to have some company too. As we were driving home we saw signs for a Christmas market so we stopped off at that and had a wander around there too. The only thing I bought was a little gift for a friend at the yarn show.</p><p>I've read eleven books this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMhbohH_f7gsGKL-n1_jGS_mIO7McfpmQYpR2wrLmfVX7LUJxnD6otwxKwIo4PcM46Oflw9_JZQn5jnVv-W8cHD26LZBmBCQndo8ivsWSKjeab9ToBD1blfNonOyJm5f19w4RH1pzQjwA7NyXvONQ5mtV_xUzNTn-EYJUd381HfrLzD0jfAQFXKSL-Zc/s800/P1110795.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMhbohH_f7gsGKL-n1_jGS_mIO7McfpmQYpR2wrLmfVX7LUJxnD6otwxKwIo4PcM46Oflw9_JZQn5jnVv-W8cHD26LZBmBCQndo8ivsWSKjeab9ToBD1blfNonOyJm5f19w4RH1pzQjwA7NyXvONQ5mtV_xUzNTn-EYJUd381HfrLzD0jfAQFXKSL-Zc/w150-h200/P1110795.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.<div><br /></div><div>"Published as a 'shilling shocker' in 1886, Robert Louis Stevenson's dark psychological fantasy gave birth to the popular idea of the split personality. Set in a hellish, fog-bound London, the story of outwardly respectable Dr Jekyll, who unleashes his deepest cruelties and most murderous instincts when he is transformed into sinister Edward Hyde, is a Gothic masterpiece and a chilling exploration of humanity's basest capacity for evil."</div><div><br /></div><div>Also included in this book, which I didn't know when I bought it, is The Bottle Imp, another story by Robert Louis Stevenson which I'd never heard of before, so I got two for the price of one.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure you've heard of people with dramatic mood swings being described as Jekyll and Hyde, well this is where it comes from. I knew the outline of this story before reading it but didn't know the full tale. The setting, the back streets of London amongst the gloomy fog, is key in creating a sinister atmosphere and prepares the scene for the horror story that follows. Definitely a classic.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I read Treasure Island and The Ebb-Tide, both also by Robert Louis Stevenson, earlier this year. He's a great story teller, so I had no hesitation in reading The Bottle Imp too. A short story which is very entertaining.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMwHE1OoSSlDaPGSQXZHnbsxJOrkMoeweDnjU421Y1UyPv_u67UbgPwvxp6xys-NYUWek4tNpLTBm7_D7Qp27-OCu-dRiRoJKSmMlBPszLUzbnepNSJm0jcpu0c4ahQojlGH1BseK4I1iu71pkXUGVqoUXcYmWAoJtII30-BtTrTXUsysqOcIuX5_c6Q/s800/P1110798.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMwHE1OoSSlDaPGSQXZHnbsxJOrkMoeweDnjU421Y1UyPv_u67UbgPwvxp6xys-NYUWek4tNpLTBm7_D7Qp27-OCu-dRiRoJKSmMlBPszLUzbnepNSJm0jcpu0c4ahQojlGH1BseK4I1iu71pkXUGVqoUXcYmWAoJtII30-BtTrTXUsysqOcIuX5_c6Q/w150-h200/P1110798.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Nightingale Daughters by Donna Douglas.<div><br /></div><div>"London's East End, 1957.</div><div><br /></div><div>Three young women are beginning their nursing training at the Florence Nightingale Hospital...</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Winnie </b>desperately wants to win her mother's approval - but will following in her footsteps and becoming a nurse help?</div><div><br /></div><div>Tearaway <b>Viv </b>has never been one to follow the rules, though the Nightingale may help her mend her ways.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Beth </b>is following her late sister's dream by training as a nurse. Will it be the right path for her?</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a steep learning curve ahead. But with friendship on their side, the Nightingale Daughters are ready to rise to the challenge..."</div><div><br /></div><div>It was nice to be back at the Nightingale and catch up with some of the earlier characters as well as some new ones. I've read every book in this series and enjoyed them. Following different nurses through their training and onto the wards, as well as delving into their private lives, can be quite a saga.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was a little disappointed that the ending seemed rushed and that not all loose ends were tied up, let's hope there's another book in the offing to follow this up as I still enjoyed the story and I'd like to read more.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1Lc7HW58PmN0Ozfzjs90kmFY-1QdyCZIEwKwi1qC4Nd44cstKdOgTSddNenl6-eCxCXbhX6C0OgyzXSKc0AR7s61Q-hhoSI6ub881m_qwgXFCHA7vzwbyv8RFLUwc7QWvVTilW76z7qOaEyIEfRW4Ub_qaa1DPIaKDZpWovoCPe7P_EqlDyiLZquIts/s800/P1110826.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1Lc7HW58PmN0Ozfzjs90kmFY-1QdyCZIEwKwi1qC4Nd44cstKdOgTSddNenl6-eCxCXbhX6C0OgyzXSKc0AR7s61Q-hhoSI6ub881m_qwgXFCHA7vzwbyv8RFLUwc7QWvVTilW76z7qOaEyIEfRW4Ub_qaa1DPIaKDZpWovoCPe7P_EqlDyiLZquIts/w200-h150/P1110826.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S.Lewis.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Magician's Nephew.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The adventure begins.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a daring quest to save a life, two friends are hurled into another world, where an evil sorceress seeks to enslave them. But then the lion Aslan's song weaves itself into the fabric of a new land, a land that will be known as Narnia. And in Narnia, all things are possible."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.</div><div><br /></div><div>"They open a door and enter a magical world.</div><div><br /></div><div>Four adventurers step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia - a world enslaved by the power of the White Witch. When almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change...and a great sacrifice."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Horse and His Boy.</div><div><br /></div><div>"A wild gallop for freedom.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a desperate journey, two runaways meet and join forces. Though they are only looking to escape their harsh lives, they soon find themselves at the centre of a terrible battle. It is a battle that will decide their fate and the fate of Narnia itself."</div><div><br /></div><div>Prince Caspian.</div><div><br /></div><div>"A Prince fights for his crown.</div><div><br /></div><div>A prince denied his rightful throne gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his land of a false king. But in the end it is a battle of honour between two men alone that will decide the fate of an entire world."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.</div><div><br /></div><div>"A voyage to the very ends of the world.</div><div><br /></div><div>A king and some unexpected companions embark on a voyage that will take them beyond all known lands. As they sail farther and farther from charted waters, they discover that their quest is more than they imagined and that the world's end is only the beginning.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Silver Chair.</div><div><br /></div><div>"A prince imprisoned - a country in peril.</div><div><br /></div><div>Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, a noble band of friends are sent to rescue a prince held captive. But their mission to Underland brings them face-to-face with an evil more beautiful and more deadly than they ever expected."</div><div><br /></div><div>The Last Battle.</div><div><br /></div><div>"The last battle is the greatest of all battles.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the last days of Narnia, the land faces its fiercest challenge - not an invader from without but an enemy from within. Lies and treachery have taken root, and only the king and a small band of loyal followers can prevent the destruction of all they hold dear in this, the magnificent ending to <i>The Chronicles of Narnia.</i>"</div><div><br /></div><div>I've never read The Chronicles of Narnia, nor seen the films, I didn't even know what the story was about really, but I've ordered a yarny advent calendar this year which is inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, so I thought I'd better read it, and whilst I was reading that book, I might as well read them all.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fantasy is not a genre I'd usually choose and this is possibly why I never read these books as a child. I did enjoy them on the whole, though some parts dragged a little and it reinforced the fact that fantasy just isn't for me. I often feel I've missed out when people talk about books they enjoyed as a child which I've never read, but who's to say that children's books are only for children. I fully intend to acquaint myself with more books I never read in my younger days.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmJT_eVono4JALnL4XgD5Kl_AJB7x0xdmi60AXNoNoBFacKBchs7JsZrnyXX4iaKNchugLrv_etZ9wSWSTWIaP-PAgX_GQg_u5Nj8lTRnLBqC-sbkmFMnnbFENpWyCLR_Ex5rewQAIEbb307SdQr7gVRThV4MLXU2NTDH4eQenLceOmx1pBbAl51GJ9I/s800/P1110903.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmJT_eVono4JALnL4XgD5Kl_AJB7x0xdmi60AXNoNoBFacKBchs7JsZrnyXX4iaKNchugLrv_etZ9wSWSTWIaP-PAgX_GQg_u5Nj8lTRnLBqC-sbkmFMnnbFENpWyCLR_Ex5rewQAIEbb307SdQr7gVRThV4MLXU2NTDH4eQenLceOmx1pBbAl51GJ9I/w150-h200/P1110903.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>All Good Things by Amanda Prowse.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Daisy Harrop has always felt like she exists in the background, and since her mother stopped getting out of bed, her life has come to a complete standstill, Daisy would give anything to leave the shabbiest house on the street and be more like the golden Kelleways next door, with their perfectly raked driveway and flourishing rose garden...</div><div><br /></div><div>Winnie Kelleway is proud of the beautiful family she's built, They've had their ups and downs - hasn't everyone? But this weekend, celebrating her golden wedding anniversary is truly proof of their happiness, a joyful gathering for <i>all </i>the neighbours to see.</div><div><br /></div><div>But as the festivities get underway, are the cracks in the 'perfect' Kelleway life beginning to show? As one bombshell revelation leads to another and events start to spiral out of control, Daisy and Winnie are about to discover that things aren't always what they seem."</div><div><br /></div><div>This book does make you realise that you never know what goes on behind a closed door or what secrets even the most seemingly idyllic family keep. A thoroughly entertaining read which held my interest. </div><div><br /></div><div>Amanda Prowse is a prolific author. Mitzi from the <a href="https://lazydaysandsundays-mitzi.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lazy Days & Sundays</a> blog recommended her to me back in 2015 and I've read twenty nine, which I think is all, of her novels since then, as well as a memoir she wrote with her son about his depression and mental health struggles. Her books are usually about family dynamics, focusing mainly on women and the situations they may find themselves in. If you haven't read any of her books, give her a go, I always look out for anything new from her.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-X80ZOZoTv6rVix-mRkhe2YCEzRqrqeaU71Na0-XHBJI5PvAsabxJTnwSpNUstEJPKCQ279GXduoYPbv3euTMY_iqsmNm4VbDNEGITWOkufO0GwjTvuJOF0iORm4FUBn-t07W06zbWttPW9iT9gMlWvmEifwpBPiXHIUhhGK8uIx608R3rsTrXXVcUY/s800/IMG_1545.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-X80ZOZoTv6rVix-mRkhe2YCEzRqrqeaU71Na0-XHBJI5PvAsabxJTnwSpNUstEJPKCQ279GXduoYPbv3euTMY_iqsmNm4VbDNEGITWOkufO0GwjTvuJOF0iORm4FUBn-t07W06zbWttPW9iT9gMlWvmEifwpBPiXHIUhhGK8uIx608R3rsTrXXVcUY/w400-h300/IMG_1545.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>It was Jasmine's birthday on the 24th. We had our birthday get together a few days later when everyone's shift patterns meant all six of us were free. Mick made a lovely roast beef and Yorkshire pudding dinner for when they finished work and then afterwards, as we often do, we had a drink and played games. We do love board games, we often add to our collection but invariably return to the oldies but goodies.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW_i9JceWREXv1WyvGjsA4LOm0k3KQTe8IgUjc6OfqBquzPJVnvkL95RUwNogvv7_F8Eyd5d9qJucxuMidOq9zmV0oQyoW55bci5Mz7KqEoz4_vfxFGpYr9JMwZ0zlzfIMCqLPMcMpO9OtdbYzKKIj8Oqdz7OXjGmEcnWZSOKBF7uWUTQvY_4a2-t4RQ/s743/P1120050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="597" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW_i9JceWREXv1WyvGjsA4LOm0k3KQTe8IgUjc6OfqBquzPJVnvkL95RUwNogvv7_F8Eyd5d9qJucxuMidOq9zmV0oQyoW55bci5Mz7KqEoz4_vfxFGpYr9JMwZ0zlzfIMCqLPMcMpO9OtdbYzKKIj8Oqdz7OXjGmEcnWZSOKBF7uWUTQvY_4a2-t4RQ/w321-h400/P1120050.JPG" width="321" /></a></div><br /><div>A bit of a progress report on my English paper piecing. I started this a couple of years ago having never hand sewed anything before. I put it down when we moved house and picked it back up a few months ago. I'm using the Botanic Garden fabric from Lewis and Irene. It's certainly not perfect but I've now got it to the point where it measures about 31.5" by 26". When I started it I was assembling the hexagons without a final project in mind but now it's this size I suppose it would be nice to make it into some sort of quilt. My question would be, will this size suffice for a baby quilt or a floor mat for a baby to lie on, or do I need to add more hexies? To be honest, I'm nearly done with it now. I sometimes get to the stage in a project where I just want it to be finished and I'm just about at that point with this. In any case, I think I shall put it away now and bring it back out again after Christmas.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>December sees us heading into the festive season. I'm hoping to get our tree and decorations up at the very start of the month and as we've got most of the Christmas shopping done it should be a nice relaxing month for us. Haha, who am I kidding, December is always crazy!</div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-50787666149748545192023-11-21T09:24:00.000+00:002023-11-21T09:24:59.304+00:00Copper Conifer Socks<p>I chose the Copper Conifer Socks pattern by Rachel Fletcher to use for my Strictly Sockalong socks this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA0CtNq4-_8AlBCF-SUZrc9VBmIYmdSYMmCO-wtrIC6CK8PgaxNc4Zf4xzcILjWPqOiv-ySDrmHNXjLd3ro3kxxeK6Hvx4L6ytih0OFr0yS7vvpDe6_qugKbD2AopnheGjP1Oggp8cpKS8DlYJpFeYuKyaeCk_Aka2hJAlB8gBYhZGbtCxrWsKtrqxUg/s800/P1120021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDA0CtNq4-_8AlBCF-SUZrc9VBmIYmdSYMmCO-wtrIC6CK8PgaxNc4Zf4xzcILjWPqOiv-ySDrmHNXjLd3ro3kxxeK6Hvx4L6ytih0OFr0yS7vvpDe6_qugKbD2AopnheGjP1Oggp8cpKS8DlYJpFeYuKyaeCk_Aka2hJAlB8gBYhZGbtCxrWsKtrqxUg/w400-h300/P1120021.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Ali from the Little Drops of Wonderful podcast hosts this knitalong, where you knit socks whilst watching Strictly Come Dancing, or cheat and knit them whilst not watching Strictly Come Dancing, and this is the sixth year that I've joined in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgameIpvUpU4FAEHEL0h_IX8v0PAhbZfehFg1-iQvZV5th6MpOVtuUEtSt1lNQrF_krXbQjKn7WuBvUXHxzR_uzFd8XaKXDKnWy1GlA2G4eut37p3FbFpmKPlXuR7Vbgrf_TVFCulL2goIjQvfeQyAvhCEF5lh6FwRLVKR6km64zkrHCS8LCaL5LaG9os4/s800/P1120027.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgameIpvUpU4FAEHEL0h_IX8v0PAhbZfehFg1-iQvZV5th6MpOVtuUEtSt1lNQrF_krXbQjKn7WuBvUXHxzR_uzFd8XaKXDKnWy1GlA2G4eut37p3FbFpmKPlXuR7Vbgrf_TVFCulL2goIjQvfeQyAvhCEF5lh6FwRLVKR6km64zkrHCS8LCaL5LaG9os4/w400-h300/P1120027.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I really enjoyed knitting this pattern, it's a simple lace with a four pattern repeat and it's quite instinctive. The photos don't show it off to its best, it looks so different when it's stretched out a little on a foot.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryFtOYL6Ipze0ZcFuPMFSctkBvKEYUjp2l2fkaI8EXTdWshWtkHpXkpdO-_cqpPlM3ZjrKkq_SIxo3x6SgkuDg4D0sN-DOw89CbK3pxe3aBv1sZ0HrCTe-PhL9H-PTMSCNwmLiKIOqceF4dDfmZPm5vFrUdcXLFPAckkGJrQoTIPKp5XfV3L5IV6YvcM/s800/P1120023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryFtOYL6Ipze0ZcFuPMFSctkBvKEYUjp2l2fkaI8EXTdWshWtkHpXkpdO-_cqpPlM3ZjrKkq_SIxo3x6SgkuDg4D0sN-DOw89CbK3pxe3aBv1sZ0HrCTe-PhL9H-PTMSCNwmLiKIOqceF4dDfmZPm5vFrUdcXLFPAckkGJrQoTIPKp5XfV3L5IV6YvcM/w400-h300/P1120023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I used yarn which I've had in my stash since 2012. It was dyed by Laughing Yaffle and the colourway is Winter sunrise. The first hand dyed yarn I bought was from Laughing Yaffle back in 2011 and though that got used up, I've still got a full skein from Laughing Yaffle in my stash from the same year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnV8aVdTVDY5KuXbqrt2glRvAkWJlFfQFj2qbkMwd9PRJI4_s2nzh_-QmxhykwbIocBczXQx0dFmBh4D_QVSjTvJoOSL9rL9GhaunUg4DxoY-ltGWp6NYclzKewBIR7pZXjFQaNpmy6CVnStGnyFZi3jDdbtPO-R7r77SDRNiTNX5h-IlTDevB5pqea0M/s800/P1120031.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnV8aVdTVDY5KuXbqrt2glRvAkWJlFfQFj2qbkMwd9PRJI4_s2nzh_-QmxhykwbIocBczXQx0dFmBh4D_QVSjTvJoOSL9rL9GhaunUg4DxoY-ltGWp6NYclzKewBIR7pZXjFQaNpmy6CVnStGnyFZi3jDdbtPO-R7r77SDRNiTNX5h-IlTDevB5pqea0M/w400-h300/P1120031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I learnt to knit as a very young child and continued into my teens but I put my needles down in the eighties and didn't pick them back up again until 2010. It's funny how you come back to things, isn't it.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-36525612175810812362023-11-12T09:38:00.000+00:002023-11-12T09:38:22.415+00:00Ripley Castle<p>We were looking for somewhere new to visit on the last Sunday of October. The clocks had just gone back so we'd had a leisurely morning with the extra hour we'd gained. We didn't want to travel too far but fancied going somewhere we hadn't been before and after a quick Google search, we came up with Ripley Castle.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeIcHwo-9hNJL6kkHWHLp8kG00Zn0XxDlgv5KYY-3XDFcx9uCOy-sWhUQuNEelwgdtkEkfl_I8YhCQFeBXY51P4b0wrTrS7xE1REmWsTP8HJDHR5Y_wxdTt0gGzJ-tAZsWXZP44e11og3nUIHzW6PoSFsXvEJex671MH_K_ZGLY2nuQb7_qK7P6vAH5k/s800/P1110914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQeIcHwo-9hNJL6kkHWHLp8kG00Zn0XxDlgv5KYY-3XDFcx9uCOy-sWhUQuNEelwgdtkEkfl_I8YhCQFeBXY51P4b0wrTrS7xE1REmWsTP8HJDHR5Y_wxdTt0gGzJ-tAZsWXZP44e11og3nUIHzW6PoSFsXvEJex671MH_K_ZGLY2nuQb7_qK7P6vAH5k/w400-h300/P1110914.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Ripley Castle is a 14th century country house which is situated three miles from Harrogate in North Yorkshire on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. We were actually really lucky when we visited because there was an artisan market being held in the grounds and therefore, admission was free. It also meant that we had extra to see on our visit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam4C61_E_54XuesEyk6-5g7YPfrQwddWIzUs0g8ZlvIb0BVIo3v1pnOCTuNZwGiPDBd9_jLo8Jd_ugjiKpY7rilvhZH2LwhvdjkLnkxxbiMYq0Hm4K6DveS2DZyd6lhu26c3Db5LuVcJHcDyhzsyzbmOrXNrBU7kXOl2ABQhYWKUCatNHSk1IUMaTx_s/s800/P1110916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjam4C61_E_54XuesEyk6-5g7YPfrQwddWIzUs0g8ZlvIb0BVIo3v1pnOCTuNZwGiPDBd9_jLo8Jd_ugjiKpY7rilvhZH2LwhvdjkLnkxxbiMYq0Hm4K6DveS2DZyd6lhu26c3Db5LuVcJHcDyhzsyzbmOrXNrBU7kXOl2ABQhYWKUCatNHSk1IUMaTx_s/w400-h300/P1110916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The market was held in the Castle courtyard and there were the usual artisan food and drinks on offer, as well as a few craft stalls.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1CDZ86aIdcgvuZYrl8XGrQgv43V_T3mHx-ggXpiut3yFqw6Hqw-Kiq8zP7G5QowwfFllS3u8e2PBsWe0mxRgFaPDHJfJo8CSWaE5uImL5FkK5Z7_LcBhffMM0JTGC96lTn1kmkcqM9Nq9UDUJ2EPVLGZa9htXHqVbFBwjyoRkuccZTnyEMqwoQgQ9-8/s800/P1110917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1CDZ86aIdcgvuZYrl8XGrQgv43V_T3mHx-ggXpiut3yFqw6Hqw-Kiq8zP7G5QowwfFllS3u8e2PBsWe0mxRgFaPDHJfJo8CSWaE5uImL5FkK5Z7_LcBhffMM0JTGC96lTn1kmkcqM9Nq9UDUJ2EPVLGZa9htXHqVbFBwjyoRkuccZTnyEMqwoQgQ9-8/w400-h300/P1110917.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Such a beautiful setting for a market.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeSsMNBiK5Rv_RmiAJeooX1yHAtOFGwxXFxzj9YvS1xpZrgaM7K0YYQdBMVoe14XA1gwjI4F5YlgpvnqffwpfvHfG5YOhZj4lizWZrfd2saDh5uITvdEexVQ4yEjLbL_ZSmrwFMiDsQ6qBDsi-AmgF4Bp6jk2qe2e3wdyTnSm1lRGUnNSFpXm5TRf_2s/s800/P1110920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeSsMNBiK5Rv_RmiAJeooX1yHAtOFGwxXFxzj9YvS1xpZrgaM7K0YYQdBMVoe14XA1gwjI4F5YlgpvnqffwpfvHfG5YOhZj4lizWZrfd2saDh5uITvdEexVQ4yEjLbL_ZSmrwFMiDsQ6qBDsi-AmgF4Bp6jk2qe2e3wdyTnSm1lRGUnNSFpXm5TRf_2s/w400-h300/P1110920.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We ventured round the side of the Castle and into the grounds. There's plenty of space here for a good walk around.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18-f7BFRWI-Nct9KM39y0wudYbeHaBvMcpX4wVUFMQQJfh0euKJvDs7q2pW4R9_Lbk-GrVTWPW47cP9ffK7JhZF36pP0IVBHZDbAUgOOS3djg7NXPvQIOlKGKpgC0bjqzfUYdW6VVflTQMwGV9T0ezlKcCneh6nXRvyC_ufZ31ZTEdexAMvuBnM3gQD4/s800/P1110923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18-f7BFRWI-Nct9KM39y0wudYbeHaBvMcpX4wVUFMQQJfh0euKJvDs7q2pW4R9_Lbk-GrVTWPW47cP9ffK7JhZF36pP0IVBHZDbAUgOOS3djg7NXPvQIOlKGKpgC0bjqzfUYdW6VVflTQMwGV9T0ezlKcCneh6nXRvyC_ufZ31ZTEdexAMvuBnM3gQD4/w400-h300/P1110923.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's a large ornamental lake with a waterfall, and if you cross this it takes you into the deer park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXfyTIN2oY1J8zQjmoki6aB_avvD8ZijhTD2KYLHbko3z-gJHbLU_3B3VSA8CEME9mUKwzK-EBXnU5fPokInsxIYlSVHJC3oLwwmhe4VivQQH-YjbCW9fqmbjorkq_lIYsXzjcVlu9V3ettcQgeoIB5_saMHubf8fU6XYxiFX-hjbTsGR5A0SofDddkk/s800/P1110937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXfyTIN2oY1J8zQjmoki6aB_avvD8ZijhTD2KYLHbko3z-gJHbLU_3B3VSA8CEME9mUKwzK-EBXnU5fPokInsxIYlSVHJC3oLwwmhe4VivQQH-YjbCW9fqmbjorkq_lIYsXzjcVlu9V3ettcQgeoIB5_saMHubf8fU6XYxiFX-hjbTsGR5A0SofDddkk/w400-h300/P1110937.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The outbuildings comprised of a brewhouse, bakehouse, game larder, laundry and stores for the Castle. They were restored and converted to their present use in 2001.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind0jqEJ91Xi5pNKs-91NnKaLO5Qgl6aB4pNtV3cBY-joHTlmsrsC0TtE4lqQEwPKGjPn_ljMDROtamRkPnyzwpaPW0BrfLwVaioKnIjiGFH0wqQcsYblG7AeQQOq27_o5zWKSaYvYhf59D3-jvC93QRh-uWg0cHPNGw-ITmQsQlyfbfbduVEHqVCp6lk/s800/P1110980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEind0jqEJ91Xi5pNKs-91NnKaLO5Qgl6aB4pNtV3cBY-joHTlmsrsC0TtE4lqQEwPKGjPn_ljMDROtamRkPnyzwpaPW0BrfLwVaioKnIjiGFH0wqQcsYblG7AeQQOq27_o5zWKSaYvYhf59D3-jvC93QRh-uWg0cHPNGw-ITmQsQlyfbfbduVEHqVCp6lk/w400-h300/P1110980.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Just look at the colour of this acer, absolutely beautiful, even on such a dull day. I'm sure it's even more stunning with a little sun shining through the leaves.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMjEOjRq392TgxrQWmi96M-y8yx5LdjXmGWRXVZGjVX_Rc3UWROLKPFDjttueonTiT-6RYaVOH4lNlO_Bb1aO3rd7yCR1ENGpnODLCmhXY8v1BMYTWZNvGt18ADO_5-cw4lvd6WQmR57VdOwpwQrjLzL2aqNHrCjcu352cuCDkXfOHNqMTucrQPG9J2s/s800/P1110939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMjEOjRq392TgxrQWmi96M-y8yx5LdjXmGWRXVZGjVX_Rc3UWROLKPFDjttueonTiT-6RYaVOH4lNlO_Bb1aO3rd7yCR1ENGpnODLCmhXY8v1BMYTWZNvGt18ADO_5-cw4lvd6WQmR57VdOwpwQrjLzL2aqNHrCjcu352cuCDkXfOHNqMTucrQPG9J2s/w400-h300/P1110939.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>All the trees were clothed in autumn's hues, dripping in reds and golds.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQZ4JtMgJvYOvuV5R5PwCPb6FKqvIxCNDHXHL4-uR_GB2DM4cdhG8mPbC2XozWoIwLIokknAT_q0CTtxuoe5XyQ_HzvNSUit4MGoyqFuqgv5cwXa_dhnTOWrzPXjnmcqGJSIb4OjjH5f4fk7pNAziVwZCuhjwFhpZV6OQ2U0aLsLfasmj1F7Jb29V5mQ/s800/P1110944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQZ4JtMgJvYOvuV5R5PwCPb6FKqvIxCNDHXHL4-uR_GB2DM4cdhG8mPbC2XozWoIwLIokknAT_q0CTtxuoe5XyQ_HzvNSUit4MGoyqFuqgv5cwXa_dhnTOWrzPXjnmcqGJSIb4OjjH5f4fk7pNAziVwZCuhjwFhpZV6OQ2U0aLsLfasmj1F7Jb29V5mQ/w400-h300/P1110944.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Nature is so clever. This is a self-perpetuating beech tree.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXTlkfpUSKgq0V6ZuQxADpTIHK5tUyWT1URdenZrsI7fkRCz_km3WKxmrQLrMrr2BuzPaTdbO7uMmLst4hg3VUP4pZcAPdJZqYN0gjtR2AKzXIrJH5oKNbkY-pSJcPAYbNQB_EsUsmBJlsVBQ5VVl6x9roPjpGMdQ6lpsccZYJnjrPOcD0C_99mrvRSo/s800/P1110945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXTlkfpUSKgq0V6ZuQxADpTIHK5tUyWT1URdenZrsI7fkRCz_km3WKxmrQLrMrr2BuzPaTdbO7uMmLst4hg3VUP4pZcAPdJZqYN0gjtR2AKzXIrJH5oKNbkY-pSJcPAYbNQB_EsUsmBJlsVBQ5VVl6x9roPjpGMdQ6lpsccZYJnjrPOcD0C_99mrvRSo/w400-h300/P1110945.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The sign explains it better than I could.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGo0Gdmqh1yy9a99mHlazk-swDuM6ghvBFcINvHg5UTBYKEvDreWP-76om4euQT8h9UBghGLQoQ1gBxNMnhMvXz5TYLjKQi_qqkSVHwZSV-UyxjD_Z6a9eHdDT7O0H-js4ORHsTYJUi7OJB54H80wIOHEP2SJP7pwPqPtp8eTx0SiqhrTrTw85YwddfU/s800/P1110962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGo0Gdmqh1yy9a99mHlazk-swDuM6ghvBFcINvHg5UTBYKEvDreWP-76om4euQT8h9UBghGLQoQ1gBxNMnhMvXz5TYLjKQi_qqkSVHwZSV-UyxjD_Z6a9eHdDT7O0H-js4ORHsTYJUi7OJB54H80wIOHEP2SJP7pwPqPtp8eTx0SiqhrTrTw85YwddfU/w300-h400/P1110962.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>How about this beautiful Redwood in the woodland. Isn't it a beauty.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4aJY2IM82UjFLnTAP9tqL86Nlx04PYEqcRoMZpsgnWUShCSqtMmACBDMt-yvgoCasVOJvaPopHbGpOZukdsKjcBhQ5pwmyhtcaMGmU4bVz8bCWFzCh6JeFXEwqgZH7zREzlrUp3CKLq_LzWJekm8zemayuuDrqjycs8OL_Ghq4M23gegYMBTO-KyU6Q/s800/P1110964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4aJY2IM82UjFLnTAP9tqL86Nlx04PYEqcRoMZpsgnWUShCSqtMmACBDMt-yvgoCasVOJvaPopHbGpOZukdsKjcBhQ5pwmyhtcaMGmU4bVz8bCWFzCh6JeFXEwqgZH7zREzlrUp3CKLq_LzWJekm8zemayuuDrqjycs8OL_Ghq4M23gegYMBTO-KyU6Q/w400-h300/P1110964.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's a beautiful walled garden which I expect looks spectacular in the sunny summer months, though I'd like to visit in the springtime as there's a collection of Hyacinth which not only provide a riot of colour but also a magnificent aroma.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQKj6XORnO5UvXEjZJJW1kslAYrBtPTyINZCom-MAfB9xrPcrDWpqkT-A7T57yXbKYP58tqnSKbKZkO1bGua3gpcWqMEH4iWMcUPsmXYrpnhSzQ-P1TWiay_kkVdCRm6oZbzwDC1Pc7aU5BcjdzBYw27HR_v6AMjT957gRVl6pHpJp9sBcPR3eWkjq20/s800/P1110952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQKj6XORnO5UvXEjZJJW1kslAYrBtPTyINZCom-MAfB9xrPcrDWpqkT-A7T57yXbKYP58tqnSKbKZkO1bGua3gpcWqMEH4iWMcUPsmXYrpnhSzQ-P1TWiay_kkVdCRm6oZbzwDC1Pc7aU5BcjdzBYw27HR_v6AMjT957gRVl6pHpJp9sBcPR3eWkjq20/w400-h300/P1110952.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The buildings in the walled garden have undergone repair work and though at one time they were on the Heritage at Risk Register, they've now been removed.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzLjXwGnFz5ElUYYrK1WJCF8gbPoM7KBg_Whn9Vv1QdHS-wFm5D-bA0Rm_E2qpaFGsPcvYrH4v7Og_7fCkn9HN-5NAwTLPyHwB5cB9o1WWZEVQ39uXqrse9X5pYUz-BWQigiIyS24zFUysL01gU4lP21xlzxwZvAbKJTqFKYQk7z4vyCR1lQilp1LG9g/s800/P1110955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzLjXwGnFz5ElUYYrK1WJCF8gbPoM7KBg_Whn9Vv1QdHS-wFm5D-bA0Rm_E2qpaFGsPcvYrH4v7Og_7fCkn9HN-5NAwTLPyHwB5cB9o1WWZEVQ39uXqrse9X5pYUz-BWQigiIyS24zFUysL01gU4lP21xlzxwZvAbKJTqFKYQk7z4vyCR1lQilp1LG9g/w400-h300/P1110955.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Palm House and Hothouses hold the current collection of tropical plants and ferns.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pX4Pg3-yKJtkv82jmAUYkNXYjawU8zzFmkZURfKRWbCXaYh3WSKH6G651pNGm8Eo9Am31nODB4UiT9AucZ1qUGUnPbn6VlsCDbQWzFpTZ38VGvGyWr7pHoLdAvEG3qFN_JsY-vrsQVEHDkp-8h_IKKn7V8HE1oDT8NJnhrmUmuiSnFbVNEPeqRFA9TA/s800/P1110969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pX4Pg3-yKJtkv82jmAUYkNXYjawU8zzFmkZURfKRWbCXaYh3WSKH6G651pNGm8Eo9Am31nODB4UiT9AucZ1qUGUnPbn6VlsCDbQWzFpTZ38VGvGyWr7pHoLdAvEG3qFN_JsY-vrsQVEHDkp-8h_IKKn7V8HE1oDT8NJnhrmUmuiSnFbVNEPeqRFA9TA/w400-h300/P1110969.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The archway leads you from the walled garden into the walled kitchen garden.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlF0Rw8juZygkWQRYMDFwz6il7PYwOKtOno3lDDn-zC3mSBL07745_17jBZ_tNbQ1DaKMI94oZli6ADDjXOiYiG8ISFVzPmqDIbUu4Wa7zRc2J0duqJvxncr8OMprcOf-UmbgFh5DycYLzJz9U0pqUCYEdaepc6mnCuOIluOeb6ZToV_ns8z1_yCdRaA/s800/P1110971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlF0Rw8juZygkWQRYMDFwz6il7PYwOKtOno3lDDn-zC3mSBL07745_17jBZ_tNbQ1DaKMI94oZli6ADDjXOiYiG8ISFVzPmqDIbUu4Wa7zRc2J0duqJvxncr8OMprcOf-UmbgFh5DycYLzJz9U0pqUCYEdaepc6mnCuOIluOeb6ZToV_ns8z1_yCdRaA/w400-h300/P1110971.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It's so well kept, even at this late stage of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMQweGsUz3TkRYTh_j8SaySC4L8Wg9FIg5taHNld9w2RaeTvtyxpOVU_X-UGO0GZkPhQBpHfQO4QekzNo3u9mYzDc8ozFrfb5ygVkV1sOQo_cPVdtBMgJ9OMiGCAyrvL-8Cnn956YzmS1Ev7aIDJmRA2BLxb1IpwdW6a4i89iktV96ulgLV3Wewvr9eg/s800/P1110972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMQweGsUz3TkRYTh_j8SaySC4L8Wg9FIg5taHNld9w2RaeTvtyxpOVU_X-UGO0GZkPhQBpHfQO4QekzNo3u9mYzDc8ozFrfb5ygVkV1sOQo_cPVdtBMgJ9OMiGCAyrvL-8Cnn956YzmS1Ev7aIDJmRA2BLxb1IpwdW6a4i89iktV96ulgLV3Wewvr9eg/w400-h300/P1110972.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>An avenue of fruit trees.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYYCacAyRFzKCcniOyl8wFKauGH153qUI3yZ49HG6hK-AwSLECGqdtm1tGMydVwrEX7LuMtGYI9_GIbG4opBICetcK89uneIAz2KnBYpAoB4-VH5NZdSh_9mIrpAU0oJJc7Eh0Yr6MIYOYGzNQPnRJ0iRj2w05xy99g-jm8etUPwfJ8qlZqALZA4hWdc/s800/P1110977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYYCacAyRFzKCcniOyl8wFKauGH153qUI3yZ49HG6hK-AwSLECGqdtm1tGMydVwrEX7LuMtGYI9_GIbG4opBICetcK89uneIAz2KnBYpAoB4-VH5NZdSh_9mIrpAU0oJJc7Eh0Yr6MIYOYGzNQPnRJ0iRj2w05xy99g-jm8etUPwfJ8qlZqALZA4hWdc/w400-h300/P1110977.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There's still so much to see in the kitchen garden with some beds planted up for the winter months.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlsKsTR2_pxU6UIruH7ilhXS8C1FYoUZ7bVyXWOblQ6TCiXrmh7foztd5xNK6wxAgque_kv9LXD7m-sx1DRr0RbTjucZPEe59sYb4MyUAtAXwXRB-31nKOV69Yg8EjepFpuomcZHY2MFrFT58iYWxT-jv4eZHycJgkHhTmjl1AsmeAiFVbiYDfIDy5W0/s800/P1110909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlsKsTR2_pxU6UIruH7ilhXS8C1FYoUZ7bVyXWOblQ6TCiXrmh7foztd5xNK6wxAgque_kv9LXD7m-sx1DRr0RbTjucZPEe59sYb4MyUAtAXwXRB-31nKOV69Yg8EjepFpuomcZHY2MFrFT58iYWxT-jv4eZHycJgkHhTmjl1AsmeAiFVbiYDfIDy5W0/w400-h300/P1110909.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was quite a whistle stop tour as we didn't want to be out too long, but we did linger over hot drinks before we returned to the car.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrEAowXZJbU8cVHVJc7BzaYJwnsT9dVZQcOFH2_dLnHAP3Kmuh_IuHrrkuM7BB87TrlMbGY4Mwa5WPePrEvO4GR4nseRFbtV0v5NWcGXtxSbJOIdtC_yzRsRec63cnfyQgteLFtIgQzvbR0Hrdppx-epQNe6p5JA71ZKufn7oetncbbH6NiVizpz09-o/s800/P1110911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrEAowXZJbU8cVHVJc7BzaYJwnsT9dVZQcOFH2_dLnHAP3Kmuh_IuHrrkuM7BB87TrlMbGY4Mwa5WPePrEvO4GR4nseRFbtV0v5NWcGXtxSbJOIdtC_yzRsRec63cnfyQgteLFtIgQzvbR0Hrdppx-epQNe6p5JA71ZKufn7oetncbbH6NiVizpz09-o/w400-h300/P1110911.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Castle is set in a small village, though we didn't look around the wider area this time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVEoOXpcMOW0zE9mcbzdns-M699_IMFqipE-H3jwJ3uXGHQnSO_pU9OhrqIOFdjshm2OZuPXhB_3zcXjsXi85S81EGdbxbpLE2OQOZ6EQCCBDa3DfM7HD25BG29q44DvHZ_qu8GPTZ1hxe_OXumYJ2o3VtYDtuAoSzU2D91tSWPArnFs8qaL5fG5jWz8/s800/P1110984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVEoOXpcMOW0zE9mcbzdns-M699_IMFqipE-H3jwJ3uXGHQnSO_pU9OhrqIOFdjshm2OZuPXhB_3zcXjsXi85S81EGdbxbpLE2OQOZ6EQCCBDa3DfM7HD25BG29q44DvHZ_qu8GPTZ1hxe_OXumYJ2o3VtYDtuAoSzU2D91tSWPArnFs8qaL5fG5jWz8/w400-h300/P1110984.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A return visit is definitely in order. There's so much we missed on this visit and there's enough here to keep you entertained for a whole day and more. That's without even mentioning the Castle tours which you can take if this is something which would take your fancy. Yes, we'll definitely be back.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-44319558277733767642023-10-31T10:56:00.000+00:002023-10-31T10:56:26.759+00:00October 2023<p>October has seen autumn settle in. The temperature has dropped, the trees are beginning to change colour, some dropping leaves, and nature's bounty can be found in the hedgerows. We've had all kinds of weather, some beautiful sunny autumn days when it's a joy to be out and about, but storms have also hit the UK with devastation for some including, very sadly, loss of life. It's that time of year when we just never know what we'll get.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCgOme_L-cYivOhXrnCTrwEpdMztoJRlMLJvFhpnb3zIiGx_E0HMVbevGvcmmNicb-1sce6uh8ftOXMw9eVkwj2RgvwGJ8UNCgfN7mr9jb5h7gm1qQkGFl2rrtWDcb7NxlHSOQcSiPKRtdVS6URREezOBdj0q6JPIlN_JQx8X7A9l3fkgP_ATpqc3ro/s800/P1110874.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjReCgOme_L-cYivOhXrnCTrwEpdMztoJRlMLJvFhpnb3zIiGx_E0HMVbevGvcmmNicb-1sce6uh8ftOXMw9eVkwj2RgvwGJ8UNCgfN7mr9jb5h7gm1qQkGFl2rrtWDcb7NxlHSOQcSiPKRtdVS6URREezOBdj0q6JPIlN_JQx8X7A9l3fkgP_ATpqc3ro/w400-h300/P1110874.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We've tried to make the most of the good weather when we've had it this month with a few outings, though we've stayed closer to home rather than taking long drives. Mick had a week off work in the middle of October and we spent a lot of it at home just taking some time to recharge our batteries while getting some outside jobs done ready for the winter months, amongst a couple of trips out. One of the places we visited was Knaresborough, a market town in North Yorkshire, about twenty miles from where we live. The photo above shows one of the Town Windows. Many windows in buildings were blocked to avoid window tax or incorporated in the building's design to provide symmetry. Artwork has been installed on many of these panels around Knaresborough which illustrate characters and events from the town's history. I keep saying that we'll visit one day with the intention of seeing how many we can find, but we haven't done this yet. You do see them all over though as you wander around.</p><p>I've read seven books this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1FIPsKFfjyRZmdYQm-HVIoQLkWlKP6ZmU6mVEtRs-hjjKI8f84ipP6h6JOEtuKPGbnSiZm93j54BUEX4FcvyfIlOFjMCjZNGnjzbJaPCxg58L4s7f0j2sduUFibC_I1E6Wulhz5RPC2HmmB29xv-HsJLifl9BVI7uzO96bmwtLqtzSYYpInUnxcVoUQ/s800/P1110680.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1FIPsKFfjyRZmdYQm-HVIoQLkWlKP6ZmU6mVEtRs-hjjKI8f84ipP6h6JOEtuKPGbnSiZm93j54BUEX4FcvyfIlOFjMCjZNGnjzbJaPCxg58L4s7f0j2sduUFibC_I1E6Wulhz5RPC2HmmB29xv-HsJLifl9BVI7uzO96bmwtLqtzSYYpInUnxcVoUQ/w150-h200/P1110680.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.<div><br /></div><div>"Lewis Carroll's anarchic, disturbing and boisterously funny Alice stories, conjured up one afternoon to entertain a young girl, are a unique blend of wordplay, logic, parody, puzzles and riddles.</div><div><br /></div><div>Their dream worlds of nonsensical Wonderland and the back-to-front Looking Glass kingdom depict order turned upside-down: a baby turns into a pig, time is abandoned at an unruly tea-party and a chaotic game of chess makes a seven-year-old girl a Queen. But, amongst the eccentric humour and witty conundrums, are poignant moments of nostalgia for a lost childhood."</div><div><br /></div><div>Actually two books in one as Through the Looking Glass is also included in this edition. I'd never read about Alice's adventures before, though I think most people know the general story. A perfect tale for children and adults alike, lots of word play and general nonsense. I have to say that I dream exactly like Alice, I wake up feeling shattered! I rarely read books with pictures these days but the story was punctuated with forty two illustrations by John Tenniel which I enjoyed. A true classic.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmaBkISqQwzdAs2ifRjrwwsIMdUIo57L3eCoNTo96P9vEcHrntA5LUTu9s4OJxxNI1fUNLOkzDBkVPCd5LI93e8yq0doiHREs8TS4ab3lO4ZSGdoq5HZal6WvGHZAPQFwt8oKfLRJ3RkfH5or-oP1UjtiqJyQG7gBcjY-OVs1P5ee6M27ZSl4blM8_Hg/s800/P1110682.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmaBkISqQwzdAs2ifRjrwwsIMdUIo57L3eCoNTo96P9vEcHrntA5LUTu9s4OJxxNI1fUNLOkzDBkVPCd5LI93e8yq0doiHREs8TS4ab3lO4ZSGdoq5HZal6WvGHZAPQFwt8oKfLRJ3RkfH5or-oP1UjtiqJyQG7gBcjY-OVs1P5ee6M27ZSl4blM8_Hg/w150-h200/P1110682.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Christmas at Thrush Green by Miss Read.<div><br /></div><div>"The villagers of Thrush Green celebrate Christmas in a way that has hardly changed over the generations, Children eagerly hang up their stockings, families go to church together - and when the snow arrives, it seems as if Christmas will be perfect this year. But not everything is as peaceful as it seems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Phyllida and Frank have their work cut out when an outbreak of chicken pox disrupts preparations for the Nativity play. The indomitable Ella Bembridge has been behaving strangely, much to the concern of her friends. Then there are the Burwells, newcomers to Thrush Green, who cause a stir with their meddling and their tasteless Christmas decorations. And Nelly Piggott, owner of The Fuchsia Bush tea shop, receives an unexpected letter that sends her into a spin.</div><div><br /></div><div>Full of nostalgia, warmth and brilliant characters, <i>Christmas at Thrush Green </i>is a truly festive treat."</div><div><br /></div><div>Sadly, this is the final book in the Thrush Green series. I was sorry when I came to the end of the Fairacre series and didn't think I'd enjoy Thrush Green as much but I have. I do have to say that I was very disappointed in this book though. Billed as a Miss Read book, Dora Saint, who wrote under the pen name of Miss Read, was 96 when this book was published and it's stated at the start of the book that although the initial idea and developing storyline was discussed with her long-time editor, it was actually Jenny Dereham and not Miss Read who put it into words, and you can tell. When you've got to know the characters through a series of books you get to know the way they talk, the way they think even, and definitely how they'd behave in certain situations, and unfortunately, many of the characters just didn't ring true.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sad to say this but if Miss Read was unable to write the book herself, then it should have been left well alone. It's a sorry end to a brilliant collection of books.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMpdszVpvX_yC-yGUA2PS2QL9rQrMLkytGkUOoJH1R28QSjuM6uUAN4YtXkzdzs_rZQF9zCa3aEH2fPCzd8TvtuxxpW6VVjH3fUDd_51vZWtVWtpXfzuFYpRs44NiTOrnhEsAfX8q_JLumIIi1ZUhjG5VE7cnI9RoN5OSyfqPRb7grxlfjC9ddblu49Y/s800/P1110725.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMpdszVpvX_yC-yGUA2PS2QL9rQrMLkytGkUOoJH1R28QSjuM6uUAN4YtXkzdzs_rZQF9zCa3aEH2fPCzd8TvtuxxpW6VVjH3fUDd_51vZWtVWtpXfzuFYpRs44NiTOrnhEsAfX8q_JLumIIi1ZUhjG5VE7cnI9RoN5OSyfqPRb7grxlfjC9ddblu49Y/w150-h200/P1110725.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.<div><br /></div><div>"Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing.</div><div><br /></div><div>But it's the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute take a very unscientific view of equality. Forced to resign, she reluctantly signs on as the host of a cooking show, <i>Supper at Six.</i> But her revolutionary approach to cooking, fuelled by scientific and rational commentary, grabs the attention of a nation. And soon a legion of overlooked housewives find themselves daring to change the status quo. One molecule at a time."</div><div><br /></div><div>I'd seen such good reviews of this book that I couldn't resist picking it up when I saw it in The Works. I'm glad I did as it deserved every one of the reviews I'd read.</div><div><br /></div><div>Going back to the 1950s and 60s, this book highlights the plight of women, not only in science but in all sorts of different situations at that time. I loved Elizabeth Zott and what she stood for, in fact we're introduced to many wonderful characters but my favourite has to be Six Thirty, the dog. The book was witty but also sad in places too, and the story has a tidy ending. One of my favourite books of the year, I'm not surprised that it's being made into a TV series.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG0GLETRopjLH5bMkYlIV-pDs72lmVKRVPcPfNg0rdmmbVSccwCUcuBP4G8czKXXqqP3MMB6lWcgo7JiCrxHQ6CKy_UH1SREE2wviFO3b3Z_VeFH_udezv2TWk4cL4wVe9ROgzRGufks48VmPRYuGkAksNLVoTzsG8aF6KRjVsU7VXs3_DmfGSp0_OL0/s800/P1110746.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG0GLETRopjLH5bMkYlIV-pDs72lmVKRVPcPfNg0rdmmbVSccwCUcuBP4G8czKXXqqP3MMB6lWcgo7JiCrxHQ6CKy_UH1SREE2wviFO3b3Z_VeFH_udezv2TWk4cL4wVe9ROgzRGufks48VmPRYuGkAksNLVoTzsG8aF6KRjVsU7VXs3_DmfGSp0_OL0/w150-h200/P1110746.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>From a Far and Lovely Country by Alexander McCall Smith.<div><br /></div><div>"Mma Ramotswe's birthday was not going to go entirely unmarked and there was the additional prospect of tea with a slice, or even more than one slice, of Mma Potokwani's justly celebrated fruit cake. There is always a silver lining, thought Mma Ramotswe - or almost always. The trick was to recognise the silver lining when it came. That was what needed to be done, Sometimes you had to look quite hard and the silver lining might not appear until rather late in the morning, as was the case that day.."</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the twenty fourth book in the No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency series and I've read and enjoyed every one of them. Set in Botswana, a country I know little about, I love the feeling of the slow pace of life and learning about this country's customs. </div><div><br /></div><div>These books fit into the cosy crime genre but really, it's like catching up with old friends when you sit down to read the latest instalment in this series.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharBcGQJ3WpIMUerLCL45rfoEEUeZNGjshTbEuGaKyEt9qsdi4Ld3KGZlt4ABMQsNKWsdFF3tz8IxieoHbuW0kGXul2YNiBuxkIZ9yBlSLaylXD7-LwhjEoov7Vsmq-EuUOnb_qo4LGDltQGjvoOemUSlVj3pazmnAkzHaH_7eZu1_M1Qo-2cYfJbuOeo/s800/P1110763.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharBcGQJ3WpIMUerLCL45rfoEEUeZNGjshTbEuGaKyEt9qsdi4Ld3KGZlt4ABMQsNKWsdFF3tz8IxieoHbuW0kGXul2YNiBuxkIZ9yBlSLaylXD7-LwhjEoov7Vsmq-EuUOnb_qo4LGDltQGjvoOemUSlVj3pazmnAkzHaH_7eZu1_M1Qo-2cYfJbuOeo/w150-h200/P1110763.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>A Merry Little Christmas by Julia Williams.</div><div><br /></div><div>"As the festive season ends in the village of Hope Christmas, what will the new year bring?</div><div><br /></div><div>With four children, a Christmas cookbook to write, and her mum suffering from dementia, Cat Tinsall has plenty to juggle. When her eldest daughter, Mel, starts going off the rails, Cat has even more on her plate.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pippa Holliday adores her family although often finds her hands full. But when her husband, Dan is involved in a terrible accident, Pippa's world is turned upside down.</div><div><br /></div><div>Balancing her job as a school teacher with twins and her stepson Steven isn't easy for Marianne North. With her husband's ex causing trouble, life is getting even trickier.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Cat, Pippa and Marianne help each other through a difficult year, they're all hoping for a much brighter Christmas."</div><div><br /></div><div>Too early for a Christmas story in October? I don't think so. I've got a few Christmas books to read this year so I thought I'd start sooner rather than later. I received this book as a gift from my lovely friend, Lisa, in our <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/01/twelve-days-of-christmas-2022.html" target="_blank">Twelve Days Of Christmas 2022</a> swap, a gift swap we've been doing for the past ten years, and over those years I think I've received a book to read as one of the gifts every year, and I think I've sent Lisa a book to read every year too.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was an easy read about three families who live in a village called Hope Christmas. I wouldn't say it's a story about Christmas other than the ending being at Christmas time, but it was enjoyable and I whizzed though it. I had the feeling that there may have been more books about the village before it and on checking afterwards, found that this is the second in a trilogy, but it certainly stood up to being read as a standalone book. Perhaps I'll look for the other two.</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qv-VIkxzJ4TEtRRZJOnb-3WEll6uh46qQbvKPMrR4qzYAnY3kJMYOCdWZSUZSuQmoz5wfX12dH7hgBFNskov61va8Heck4qMjypK7Xpr6JGlgMPjaZdJdFLkoFUR2YF_f-QOAnWN_Ef-AZiHNvOwMhqjkHOJonXTn1sNLwG5_lfjjZy3bo9IVu3rnJM/s800/P1110766.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Qv-VIkxzJ4TEtRRZJOnb-3WEll6uh46qQbvKPMrR4qzYAnY3kJMYOCdWZSUZSuQmoz5wfX12dH7hgBFNskov61va8Heck4qMjypK7Xpr6JGlgMPjaZdJdFLkoFUR2YF_f-QOAnWN_Ef-AZiHNvOwMhqjkHOJonXTn1sNLwG5_lfjjZy3bo9IVu3rnJM/w150-h200/P1110766.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Strictly Christmas Spirit by Helen Buckley.</div><div><br /></div><div>"From disco balls to Christmas baubles...</div><div><br /></div><div>Ex-dancer Emily Williams turned her back on the sparkle of popular dancing show <i>Strictly Dancing with Celebs </i>to help those in need. Now the only dancing she does is teaching lonely pensioners to waltz, and the closest she gets to disco balls is making baubles with the homeless people in her Christmas crafts class.</div><div><br /></div><div>She's certainly not star-struck when Hollywood heart-throb Blake Harris is sent to her at short notice for community service, and has no desire to babysit the arrogant actor with his bad boy antics and selfish ways. Christmas might be a time for miracles, but Blake seems to be a lost cause.</div><div><br /></div><div>But Emily's reasons for abandoning her dancing passion means she understands the Hollywood wild child more than she'd like to admit. Could their time together, coupled with a dash of Christmas spirit, lead to a miracle change of heart for them both?"</div><div><br /></div><div>This was another book I received as a gift last Christmas, this time from my pen pal, Pauline. I loved the story set around a community drop-in centre, quite an original idea I thought. Although the story is about Emily and Blake, it's quite a short book at just 212 pages so more could have been made of the other characters, who I wanted to know more about. A very enjoyable read, so much so that I read this book in a day.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEInDIgjd5fvCngdMCl5VsW4t7yY3fBtPvKCz3hnRC6st_l6lRT6QKYga2bhqbnL6KQFwZv8x2uJm7C2w448yk1K4oUfQWeJnM9fIG-1cucNF398k8lqw70J1WgOj7MKmZRUfEqVXIs5syCiz8RXWgQasJx0DzFToo6UH9YaA8yqoIxqfb7xUVQMcwAc/s800/P1110782.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEInDIgjd5fvCngdMCl5VsW4t7yY3fBtPvKCz3hnRC6st_l6lRT6QKYga2bhqbnL6KQFwZv8x2uJm7C2w448yk1K4oUfQWeJnM9fIG-1cucNF398k8lqw70J1WgOj7MKmZRUfEqVXIs5syCiz8RXWgQasJx0DzFToo6UH9YaA8yqoIxqfb7xUVQMcwAc/w150-h200/P1110782.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Merry Christmas Project by Cathy Bramley.<div><br /></div><div>"Anything can happen at Christmas...</div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas has always meant something special to Merry- even without a family of her own. This year, her heart might be broken but her new candle business is booming. The last thing she needs is another project - but when her hometown's annual event needs some fresh festive inspiration, Merry can't resist.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cole loves a project too - though it's usually of the bricks and mortar variety. As a single dad, his Christmas wish is to see his kids again, so getting the new house finished for when they're all together is the perfect distraction.</div><div><br /></div><div>But this Christmas, magic is in the air for these two strangers. Will it bring them all the joy they planned for...and take their hearts by surprise too?"</div><div><br /></div><div>Another gift from my pen pal last Christmas. I've never come across Cathy Bramley before but after reading this, a bit of research has led me to discover that she's written quite a few books and there's even a sequel to this one which I've now bought. A feel good Christmas story, quite predictable but hugely enjoyable. I shall definitely look out for more from this author.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJKr7MmHrAi-_DVAQ_s6gwcEI-BlDW7zxr3Y_H4AeGDSS_cU6iT-qP0EIcnrhjs0h1zzwxV2qPeQ2Jlh1oA2SH07qMZ152i4AER8W5Ly7x3iAIzu49G0SGIO0IthoNWhelgEiLFJHfTJewIJUmY3X9MOPosl-ENPveBdHTldNeyIMLHb-s06SJ-e7D54/s800/P1110886.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJKr7MmHrAi-_DVAQ_s6gwcEI-BlDW7zxr3Y_H4AeGDSS_cU6iT-qP0EIcnrhjs0h1zzwxV2qPeQ2Jlh1oA2SH07qMZ152i4AER8W5Ly7x3iAIzu49G0SGIO0IthoNWhelgEiLFJHfTJewIJUmY3X9MOPosl-ENPveBdHTldNeyIMLHb-s06SJ-e7D54/w400-h300/P1110886.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Does anyone else tend to get in a rut where cooking meals is concerned? Mick's a very plain eater so we get to the point where we stick to the same meals week in and week out. I got so fed up of this at the back end of last month that I pulled out the cook books and we've decided to choose one new recipe to try each week. Those of you who follow me on Instagram will see some of the things we've cooked so far: Cumberland Sausage, Chicken and Squash Tray Bake from the Hairy Bikers British Classics; Chicken Hot Pot from Mary Berry's Simple Comforts; Pizza-Stuffed Chicken from Pinch of Nom are the first three we tried. We've enjoyed them all and more besides. We're actually enjoying cooking and trying some new things. Sometimes you just have to shake it up a little.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ajju-tAgkIv6JcmnMvWQt38fp8795mfRb8eJaIEA3dJ0_P6IZlaRKwpW5cgF8yYFeUNq_XD0wNPrVp_sq8ac69lzgl9j1snqLwUNwyAhezXwZCaBfufxByWXK0WKTZp3Qs3i6KKrFLuJWhPPwxG5BeN00Rp_akdWTaG0lYiWQ48LbhSb0lvqdT8uVds/s800/P1110878.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ajju-tAgkIv6JcmnMvWQt38fp8795mfRb8eJaIEA3dJ0_P6IZlaRKwpW5cgF8yYFeUNq_XD0wNPrVp_sq8ac69lzgl9j1snqLwUNwyAhezXwZCaBfufxByWXK0WKTZp3Qs3i6KKrFLuJWhPPwxG5BeN00Rp_akdWTaG0lYiWQ48LbhSb0lvqdT8uVds/w300-h400/P1110878.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>It was Bakewell Wool Gathering on the 14th of October. I'd made a note of it in my diary but it wasn't until the day arrived that I made up my mind to go. It's a lovely wool show, very friendly and not too big. I was very restrained and didn't buy much but it was fun to look round all the stalls and chat to the stallholders. Afterwards, we had a wander around Bakewell, situated on the River Wye, it's the biggest town in the Peak District and we always enjoy our visits there.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>During the summer months I find very little to watch on TV but as soon as autumn arrives, the TV schedules begin to look up again. As well as old favourites like Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off, I've been watching one or two other things to note.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugggP2uusJh9xNc2WHmnq3PBslkrdwDBTdsTNzwZ-BviXnUG8V_yqEQsRrSy0e93imj1fItBCpqJ4S6hB8zxXjvux6EI81TPik1hjTTIpUtisgfNVlq4xLqZ0Fc8gwWvqL5-29jxXCjj0cLPb9fE-HzPTcZzsVJKnHHNAOB3LMsXMA-7ilxMlaVkUkK4/s259/download.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugggP2uusJh9xNc2WHmnq3PBslkrdwDBTdsTNzwZ-BviXnUG8V_yqEQsRrSy0e93imj1fItBCpqJ4S6hB8zxXjvux6EI81TPik1hjTTIpUtisgfNVlq4xLqZ0Fc8gwWvqL5-29jxXCjj0cLPb9fE-HzPTcZzsVJKnHHNAOB3LMsXMA-7ilxMlaVkUkK4/w320-h240/download.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The Reckoning.</div><div><br /></div><div>Steve Coogan portrayed Jimmy Savile in this TV mini-series and what a fantastic job he did. It was hard to remember that we weren't actually watching Jimmy Savile himself in some parts and it was rather chilling. The series told the story of Savile's life from his working-class upbringing to his rise to stardom, and ultimately how he was able to get away with sexually abusing hundreds of young girls and boys, including many children, before finally being exposed as a predator and paedophile after his death. It actually beggars belief how he got away with it for his entire life.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFgyVCFPiZKhjY-kLylcSuAzSsAkXq2aK1VLNga4F2vvkyDND8yKjvck9B7j3WDsuZ8ykY4rG206wuEX4pV9TCL9BWCdPV_DEWQbMX-66j8KwcSLtqOq0MWEDfMX-U7TJnl-CWVHEJXOlZkLySkcAkN-wsFHPvofkJJIQOahSu4jz2hKNtxRSftK5gYg/s310/download%20(1).jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="310" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFgyVCFPiZKhjY-kLylcSuAzSsAkXq2aK1VLNga4F2vvkyDND8yKjvck9B7j3WDsuZ8ykY4rG206wuEX4pV9TCL9BWCdPV_DEWQbMX-66j8KwcSLtqOq0MWEDfMX-U7TJnl-CWVHEJXOlZkLySkcAkN-wsFHPvofkJJIQOahSu4jz2hKNtxRSftK5gYg/w320-h168/download%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The Long Shadow.</div><div><br /></div><div>A seven part true crime drama detailing the events from 1975 to 1980 when Peter Sutcliffe, dubbed the Yorkshire Ripper, committed his thirteen murders. I was just seven when he began his killing spree, twelve when it ended, but living close to some of the areas where he murdered his victims, I can still remember the fear of that time. This drama focuses on the victims rather than Sutcliffe himself, and the botched police investigation.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmUApqaKy3AvI1NypiCkiZi5RN1yoG4qONBzAo-rGdEl4FnRTURpEpOTsjG2Y9wKpdVqAnwxVLF_XpOoVUGiDC55QADLXJbNtUJijiq9g2RQZI7Ua_RBUgPnZe7iAJDdaW2UWPj-EVHhaT6mqifI8WS6cktoLhKDYYnU6oWLi-v5MewDjVkBU6gnI3eQ/s318/download%20(2).jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="318" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmUApqaKy3AvI1NypiCkiZi5RN1yoG4qONBzAo-rGdEl4FnRTURpEpOTsjG2Y9wKpdVqAnwxVLF_XpOoVUGiDC55QADLXJbNtUJijiq9g2RQZI7Ua_RBUgPnZe7iAJDdaW2UWPj-EVHhaT6mqifI8WS6cktoLhKDYYnU6oWLi-v5MewDjVkBU6gnI3eQ/w320-h160/download%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>All Creatures Great and Small.<div><br /></div><div>A feel-good series based on the early career of vet, James Herriot. Shown on Thursday nights, it's one of those programmes which lends itself to Sunday evening viewing when all the family sit down together to watch something gentle and entertaining. Wonderful characters and appealing storylines set amidst the backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales, what's not to love. <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBaRFgK8F0eN56mKkLp3KoZ9-X6n52HQLvNutuTHrcJkJL8P7Sb0kw1vPnq1a352n2OueVsAH5bw1WhWLzaQ7Git1Enz03z3Oc_OAF7ESKdO5enqBwSCuyA7nHd6Tm7yv8kh9WIsgiWBcbHOEu8N4ZFp99Kj_zYn2Z4CaZEskeFDNcMks_6uLoVKXxo4/s800/P1110990.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBaRFgK8F0eN56mKkLp3KoZ9-X6n52HQLvNutuTHrcJkJL8P7Sb0kw1vPnq1a352n2OueVsAH5bw1WhWLzaQ7Git1Enz03z3Oc_OAF7ESKdO5enqBwSCuyA7nHd6Tm7yv8kh9WIsgiWBcbHOEu8N4ZFp99Kj_zYn2Z4CaZEskeFDNcMks_6uLoVKXxo4/w400-h300/P1110990.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I've got another yarny advent calendar on order to countdown this Christmas so I thought I'd better start using up the advent calendars I've still got from years past. I decided to cast on the Habitation Throw by Helen Stewart. I won a pattern of my choice from Alex at the My Yarny Corner blog quite a while ago, this is the pattern I chose and I'm really enjoying knitting it. I'm using yarn from the charity advents which Helen at Giddy Yarns put together last year and the year before, each mini skein is from a different yarn dyer and it's a treat to use such a selection.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXfe4zZlccoVKHwqfEy1MGbNuD1nUG3t-WzozWuD48lSim-ihWcrPAjnB-4NeNixAkATIi38ED0ZLabHbkV_olGDzEtaE-jZ9hDq4HlpyShmDuebMxg72uMV55K8gszhl91BkQTCRmv1m_S-KLPlQVr1NuBXOQ9g_wNUeuUFve6HlsMks5a-el9DBiMk/s800/IMG_3411.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXfe4zZlccoVKHwqfEy1MGbNuD1nUG3t-WzozWuD48lSim-ihWcrPAjnB-4NeNixAkATIi38ED0ZLabHbkV_olGDzEtaE-jZ9hDq4HlpyShmDuebMxg72uMV55K8gszhl91BkQTCRmv1m_S-KLPlQVr1NuBXOQ9g_wNUeuUFve6HlsMks5a-el9DBiMk/w300-h400/IMG_3411.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div>Today is Halloween. We've visited the <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2020/10/spooky-skeletons-trail.html" target="_blank">Spooky Skeletons Trail</a> at Lotherton as we do just about every year, it's such good fun, especially for children. Mick's carved a pumpkin and we've decorated the front of the house so that any trick or treaters know that we're game for their visits. We love to see the creative ways they've dressed and enjoy seeing their excited faces. We've got plenty of treats waiting in readiness. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the clocks have gone back we seem to have much shorter days. It makes me want to go into hibernation mode, hunkering down until spring arrives, so I'm not sure what I'll have to report in November. On the bright side, the coming month will see the start of Christmas preparations so we may get out to an event or two. We'll see.</div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-24514131447760654132023-10-20T15:40:00.002+01:002023-10-20T15:41:48.638+01:00Mills And Canals<p>Mick's been off work this week. We knew the weather wasn't going to be brilliant so we didn't plan on doing much other than having some downtime and recharging our batteries. It's been lovely actually. We've had lots of slow days, eaten out, seen family, and we did manage some short outings close to home too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz5qrStPqgcxIwoS497GusKHbCHEdBJIetdHg4hQaLlNKB0ARbMlm1Rj4WoEVECDxNY7ph8KY0mpeeqwjFApOaPvPoui_xjafS1lvz_b2WArwaTAiHs5-WQUwiG9qCPjGetF3nFoTnoLbRifVFgydO4iRw8XIrJxdlg6idCKedK8K5yb64zKU8wGuUNc/s800/P1110828.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHz5qrStPqgcxIwoS497GusKHbCHEdBJIetdHg4hQaLlNKB0ARbMlm1Rj4WoEVECDxNY7ph8KY0mpeeqwjFApOaPvPoui_xjafS1lvz_b2WArwaTAiHs5-WQUwiG9qCPjGetF3nFoTnoLbRifVFgydO4iRw8XIrJxdlg6idCKedK8K5yb64zKU8wGuUNc/w400-h300/P1110828.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>On Wednesday we drove over to Sunnybank Mills where The Great British Sewing Bee is filmed. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-ZebO6XAzlgQoe8DTk-IhTjJN19GVsolPkSZ0B3d333QnSEtWth_rikQHmJ51eVUZqOdcUKSZdprp7NfB3JdS89mV2e8fOOhSNVoMj-oRtFWb57GB8UGuuDzD1fdCIgDCUU_jRwRcyim-xUEUHuHX3RNxo1kj1A9hU2T5chumJVZqM3OvCy5xEnIwW0/s800/P1110832.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-ZebO6XAzlgQoe8DTk-IhTjJN19GVsolPkSZ0B3d333QnSEtWth_rikQHmJ51eVUZqOdcUKSZdprp7NfB3JdS89mV2e8fOOhSNVoMj-oRtFWb57GB8UGuuDzD1fdCIgDCUU_jRwRcyim-xUEUHuHX3RNxo1kj1A9hU2T5chumJVZqM3OvCy5xEnIwW0/w400-h300/P1110832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had a mooch around but didn't stay long. There's a lovely yarn shop there called Ewe Neek which sell a good range but I was good and resisted adding anything to my stash.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WDSwD5NKnXCmRBkkKWj9wI4ptC2UQwj37YKiFI2WKJIDTO__MGvDjcAFf-vzwwgLRWImCRwdKA6Pkj5tfVOWmFKQL4OxiFVIejevArStJ8y0jQpIDSBc6MUQmNs0hl2xbVmNCMVir1yjYjX-uD_4GVi18KUquVanbuvDq_yrPd-ZYIYvQnoQszBW_i0/s800/P1110838.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WDSwD5NKnXCmRBkkKWj9wI4ptC2UQwj37YKiFI2WKJIDTO__MGvDjcAFf-vzwwgLRWImCRwdKA6Pkj5tfVOWmFKQL4OxiFVIejevArStJ8y0jQpIDSBc6MUQmNs0hl2xbVmNCMVir1yjYjX-uD_4GVi18KUquVanbuvDq_yrPd-ZYIYvQnoQszBW_i0/w400-h300/P1110838.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Afterwards we drove about a mile to Rodley so that we could take a stroll along the canal. Our usual walks <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2022/11/down-by-canal.html" target="_blank">Down By The Canal</a> are along the Aire and Calder Navigation but this is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal which stretches for 127 miles and links the cities of Leeds and Liverpool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-itN5uHttiDNDDg1PjmUgHHrDC6-fELsJYybLRwHc40mjkwMbkEXPH2wqEo0HhRl3Ju3mm-YqrYuBSx-TPUdALMeWmKieS8HLjv8BvLcq8yClJE-YrzHUcjk1irKAo1_2Ec9PDJt0ctUZfMXE5o9jxS7lyJwiMQRdXkU3RqEqsoPG_IAmNOmtlaQPhI/s800/P1110843.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-itN5uHttiDNDDg1PjmUgHHrDC6-fELsJYybLRwHc40mjkwMbkEXPH2wqEo0HhRl3Ju3mm-YqrYuBSx-TPUdALMeWmKieS8HLjv8BvLcq8yClJE-YrzHUcjk1irKAo1_2Ec9PDJt0ctUZfMXE5o9jxS7lyJwiMQRdXkU3RqEqsoPG_IAmNOmtlaQPhI/w400-h300/P1110843.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Some parts of the canal stretch through residential areas, other parts travel through tranquil countryside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya0I-udffhd_6UEHHdvprJJZP2Ke3-y3iEs-rQ0h8HCgaZ2uPlYbBJD01zmULJQuPeISwO7YpDDK8C5n-jQGmIte_psQnlxUwmk_eK0TOcIrK2FzsP-NX-SdA75sPAFnN2e02s_g4ZELSwqnWsyk63L7WPXKKAy53uRGfJ2AY3OHxnEp6qjQmMg1SGXc/s800/P1110845.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhya0I-udffhd_6UEHHdvprJJZP2Ke3-y3iEs-rQ0h8HCgaZ2uPlYbBJD01zmULJQuPeISwO7YpDDK8C5n-jQGmIte_psQnlxUwmk_eK0TOcIrK2FzsP-NX-SdA75sPAFnN2e02s_g4ZELSwqnWsyk63L7WPXKKAy53uRGfJ2AY3OHxnEp6qjQmMg1SGXc/w400-h300/P1110845.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The trees are just beginning to start showing their autumn hues. I hope they manage it before they drop their leaves, which the strong winds we've had over the last couple of days are helping them to do.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnVKdK7t5xiy7U50q4cKsH9qG37hcwg4y0QhSJyDUze6tlYuBSPmBB6X3c9Y_v4l6feFKQgkhFfzIJB9itFiFHgHFhXhahlXUSN8ZZJraacCx03PmbHKey-Pd0Zkdr4XEaVl1VUBn6ioYQPNXN2Nvs7tB2uAN5LqCagRyBTL8lAGA2AdE4CnTyj91vCs/s800/P1110850.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnVKdK7t5xiy7U50q4cKsH9qG37hcwg4y0QhSJyDUze6tlYuBSPmBB6X3c9Y_v4l6feFKQgkhFfzIJB9itFiFHgHFhXhahlXUSN8ZZJraacCx03PmbHKey-Pd0Zkdr4XEaVl1VUBn6ioYQPNXN2Nvs7tB2uAN5LqCagRyBTL8lAGA2AdE4CnTyj91vCs/w400-h300/P1110850.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A beautiful swan came gliding down the canal. He was all alone, I hope he's got a family waiting for him somewhere.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwboZ2UOwDQSNYIEpfG8fRqms-WuwHqoAfh9leFa399hvvbPjyUCC7MJH5HXGFuUp5oNf01fCcrL6gPVXVwCNZ_uMS27Zp_ckjnFQsgDaxHhD3B_HN0jAAiwZyr8Q9jj4Vli284naZcA5-5tdpjvdP8g94g0sbnC17ONqLt0SFVBSvc9ET9UTymuUtDw/s800/P1110854.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwboZ2UOwDQSNYIEpfG8fRqms-WuwHqoAfh9leFa399hvvbPjyUCC7MJH5HXGFuUp5oNf01fCcrL6gPVXVwCNZ_uMS27Zp_ckjnFQsgDaxHhD3B_HN0jAAiwZyr8Q9jj4Vli284naZcA5-5tdpjvdP8g94g0sbnC17ONqLt0SFVBSvc9ET9UTymuUtDw/w400-h300/P1110854.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Further along the canal it becomes more built up along the sides, and there are boats moored up here too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfADcC9dpixMUhyphenhyphenoSSCN8PWYJ1i2blWDQ68631y_BxtpSljBLrKHw0X_1YqYMTazV7TfcuZ5jvp9A7zNWlSI7lXbVcBB74rvF0X24PwT7eRgM6kQ8gl-CLjbwzpT-UR34-bSyOfBNOd8ft7OAAOrGNbludve43s9Tm4PA4JhaESs-j9gSkRDz1aAihv4/s800/P1110856.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFfADcC9dpixMUhyphenhyphenoSSCN8PWYJ1i2blWDQ68631y_BxtpSljBLrKHw0X_1YqYMTazV7TfcuZ5jvp9A7zNWlSI7lXbVcBB74rvF0X24PwT7eRgM6kQ8gl-CLjbwzpT-UR34-bSyOfBNOd8ft7OAAOrGNbludve43s9Tm4PA4JhaESs-j9gSkRDz1aAihv4/w400-h300/P1110856.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>A swing bridge allows pedestrians and bikes to cross. You can actually feel it move as you walk across it, a weird sensation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-KTi6vNMWxqVFpql3nnVW9k0xrWu8gKwZU5qMQ9vsLvsqMCqE0oy5nItdDSs0t6zgmpUo9MJixOVF1G5MgFFoBtV6UBDchUlhlNuevkFaJJGf74yTj7HxhWcoeIbNG_h5lSarLdNxqrPgx8jlsg7538aErxuXEBra142Aujq1MwzVcsE-VUUUig0yTo/s800/P1110858.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe-KTi6vNMWxqVFpql3nnVW9k0xrWu8gKwZU5qMQ9vsLvsqMCqE0oy5nItdDSs0t6zgmpUo9MJixOVF1G5MgFFoBtV6UBDchUlhlNuevkFaJJGf74yTj7HxhWcoeIbNG_h5lSarLdNxqrPgx8jlsg7538aErxuXEBra142Aujq1MwzVcsE-VUUUig0yTo/w400-h300/P1110858.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a lovely day, blue skies and very mild for this time of year, so there were quite a few people out walking. The storm was forecast that same night though it wasn't as bad as had been forecast. It's now full on though, rain lashing the windows and strong winds, I'm glad to be indoors on a day like today.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRyEOCfmW59kaiY1jOHcXUcNvbJZZnJ4p43t3X0DjbbEvxcdNqZsgpQxpS7JkRitZYyWc6G0FilOsAf2F223-TeAb9EtQV10emAQcG3z7gKiiLY9cxVK5I7AoLy3QmnMi3IDY2pXc3Oveg50-CRO5mlmqbvOugRN40NHlf3unl6-FB2detG95bn5APq8/s800/P1110860.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRyEOCfmW59kaiY1jOHcXUcNvbJZZnJ4p43t3X0DjbbEvxcdNqZsgpQxpS7JkRitZYyWc6G0FilOsAf2F223-TeAb9EtQV10emAQcG3z7gKiiLY9cxVK5I7AoLy3QmnMi3IDY2pXc3Oveg50-CRO5mlmqbvOugRN40NHlf3unl6-FB2detG95bn5APq8/w400-h300/P1110860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>There were quite a few boats along this stretch of the canal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fwPIr_KXdFUefXLUqyTzT_ddzL8t_g7HPTRc8J1hcQ9xFB9mnaektEJIkErb3ILFA64QGG3c4SdyGd8NEugIcoeErlVok9oOE2nAe5retUKcXMW8o5apMOsrS78tA0qz_2XThgmf9_Q6Yp7GbtPx6nd0lfhaxXOdwamSLaei-m99z67f2GSErgRtmyQ/s800/P1110870.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3fwPIr_KXdFUefXLUqyTzT_ddzL8t_g7HPTRc8J1hcQ9xFB9mnaektEJIkErb3ILFA64QGG3c4SdyGd8NEugIcoeErlVok9oOE2nAe5retUKcXMW8o5apMOsrS78tA0qz_2XThgmf9_Q6Yp7GbtPx6nd0lfhaxXOdwamSLaei-m99z67f2GSErgRtmyQ/w400-h300/P1110870.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I love the name of this one. Music lovers I think.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUfx9jgMWJWptvSnn6VruqgaLQd_5aR2I4lK1lUPllIoQMmQuWUT1Kyu2uUpH7N_p6JmM_XdDgZ_s-1d1HAuxm9at4T7Y-q-sFK3lI-cJZjCRlDPt8x7WDUkcHdzcsio70UKiEdSwcJWB2hGO-i4hlxE2wxBqJJT3HKA3gXv7PvE6atNTLevKrgKxTA/s800/P1110864.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPUfx9jgMWJWptvSnn6VruqgaLQd_5aR2I4lK1lUPllIoQMmQuWUT1Kyu2uUpH7N_p6JmM_XdDgZ_s-1d1HAuxm9at4T7Y-q-sFK3lI-cJZjCRlDPt8x7WDUkcHdzcsio70UKiEdSwcJWB2hGO-i4hlxE2wxBqJJT3HKA3gXv7PvE6atNTLevKrgKxTA/w400-h300/P1110864.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Not sure this one's water tight. It's definitely seen better days.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_AmPN7MIG0xR91F_efpGMkWTQjT9RgogQ6yOY_6G9iBsTr37CUnFSNTc09kuWm2Xkv-lYarYvH1zPrKuPjjBko2lO99iljZvVygFbZ7kVJDKnTQXHAH04BXaMVMZOJmWOQAQ7I05UVS-gh4PKjR5YDBB1rEeFlI8gBmyuJPCdGkEVbd5w3cyiWkq1Lo/s800/P1110861.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_AmPN7MIG0xR91F_efpGMkWTQjT9RgogQ6yOY_6G9iBsTr37CUnFSNTc09kuWm2Xkv-lYarYvH1zPrKuPjjBko2lO99iljZvVygFbZ7kVJDKnTQXHAH04BXaMVMZOJmWOQAQ7I05UVS-gh4PKjR5YDBB1rEeFlI8gBmyuJPCdGkEVbd5w3cyiWkq1Lo/w400-h300/P1110861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Horses graze along the other side of the canal.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodd-mw3K0HiuUgAd5wVgzb16wha7ZC-jSmsVROZ2WjIjVDOfeUAUDGoZ4O5QAkzaz0TLvpRxtO6Wh0b8tyD46lkh-ZI_hrWwXbccsYUiVO2pZHFJMEKInJEIsAPdFRCWxEBlevXnAQ2FaMJr0kmKiNn4aOJSzAhXJ-klZoa-RMbKrKpX6dYD4Ha1SKjA/s800/P1110871.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodd-mw3K0HiuUgAd5wVgzb16wha7ZC-jSmsVROZ2WjIjVDOfeUAUDGoZ4O5QAkzaz0TLvpRxtO6Wh0b8tyD46lkh-ZI_hrWwXbccsYUiVO2pZHFJMEKInJEIsAPdFRCWxEBlevXnAQ2FaMJr0kmKiNn4aOJSzAhXJ-klZoa-RMbKrKpX6dYD4Ha1SKjA/w300-h400/P1110871.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>The footpath at the side of the canal is a great place for a Little Free Library. I had a look but nothing took my fancy.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7jc1BTIMl9oZkpYxCHbGaqJDNhf1m-3BCLsDMplRPzkSwXgwzLdQhgv13rxfLQAOkQphM5NFY7uxjE0uWzzJE-5aOcjuPpn0D2d9LpKWZNaEedb5sY-OCFUoqDsCV8fQYArFr5PMpdcoFU9GF4oakS8ghEPuYBIL9kPKC2NIFnVmQMBWMGJrtPn6JqM/s800/P1110866.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7jc1BTIMl9oZkpYxCHbGaqJDNhf1m-3BCLsDMplRPzkSwXgwzLdQhgv13rxfLQAOkQphM5NFY7uxjE0uWzzJE-5aOcjuPpn0D2d9LpKWZNaEedb5sY-OCFUoqDsCV8fQYArFr5PMpdcoFU9GF4oakS8ghEPuYBIL9kPKC2NIFnVmQMBWMGJrtPn6JqM/w400-h300/P1110866.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Soon it was time to turn back and head for the car as Archie's little legs couldn't walk much further. This photo shows how close the canal is to the houses. I'd quite fancy living close to the canal and watching the boats sail by.</p><p>It was a nice idea for a couple of hours out when we didn't want to go too far.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-67501319364813813252023-10-12T09:19:00.001+01:002023-10-12T09:20:28.314+01:00What Lies Within<p>I decided that I'd join in with a couple of Halloween knitalongs this year. Alex on the My Yarny Corner podcast and Helen on the Giddy Knits podcast are both hosting one so I thought I'd knit a pair of socks and enter them in both knitalongs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmdL43V_3V63z6xoQq4TKMqrXsFxlaxU181mhsGnflb3d264B-JLcTEwi4EVdDrev1tOlYmnfi6u4C95dEEUTVw0j7FSVQo-f715ky_ZkGP07fVAJQ5fk5CDcS9hQfgau-yQA6l1eECIdwVPsC3RioE_NKuBLBV3Y3Rnf1_o_IRwPyn4ve0i_8ugh25A/s800/P1110785.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGmdL43V_3V63z6xoQq4TKMqrXsFxlaxU181mhsGnflb3d264B-JLcTEwi4EVdDrev1tOlYmnfi6u4C95dEEUTVw0j7FSVQo-f715ky_ZkGP07fVAJQ5fk5CDcS9hQfgau-yQA6l1eECIdwVPsC3RioE_NKuBLBV3Y3Rnf1_o_IRwPyn4ve0i_8ugh25A/w300-h400/P1110785.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I didn't want to go to the expense of buying yarn especially for this but didn't have any Halloween yarn in my stash, so I decided to go with a skein of yarn I'd got from Love Handyed called Autumn Fallen Leaves. The colours are very autumnal but I do think it looks a little Halloweeny too as there's pops of bright green, bright yellow and bright orange in there if you look closely.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ywBxJGCtaGifHSZ0wFLh1nZ5Nga4OxnLJ11wgnR7Qzxbov-697dMqdn6cSYGmgRulMjScXLri-v_Nm2JuV446Qml6-OD7HSe3fGt36SJAfhQ2q5DVk4npkGE20DHySAMYgImsHzlzGH8bHRHT5-NnuwtgZr5__CsvbKtpojnkoO1y_s-gNyaUW2me4/s800/P1110791.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3ywBxJGCtaGifHSZ0wFLh1nZ5Nga4OxnLJ11wgnR7Qzxbov-697dMqdn6cSYGmgRulMjScXLri-v_Nm2JuV446Qml6-OD7HSe3fGt36SJAfhQ2q5DVk4npkGE20DHySAMYgImsHzlzGH8bHRHT5-NnuwtgZr5__CsvbKtpojnkoO1y_s-gNyaUW2me4/w400-h300/P1110791.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>As for a pattern, I had the What Lies Within Socks by Naomi Buchanan in my Ravelry library. It's a pattern I won a few years ago but have never knitted before. As it's inspired by the Harry Potter books and in particular The Chamber of Secrets and the basilisk, I thought this would suit the Halloween theme rather well. It's a very easy cable pattern and I love how it looks.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8FW9zn9a4_b7TOH3xmqhfGHQcOvP0_IE3UqSYRQqeyUYTgMG874zsTtK2EriqkPU9MEDatuxpSGEnrMmY0AHxoRCfbpoRKd9fs4Sh47XvNYi5D18GLOmZrn6lLfxTybCV5hnZaw-06j2C7lx632O_tT4zlRICroLXRSD2rN5G-6N-pHSRDWlZ_Mig4E/s800/P1110787.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8FW9zn9a4_b7TOH3xmqhfGHQcOvP0_IE3UqSYRQqeyUYTgMG874zsTtK2EriqkPU9MEDatuxpSGEnrMmY0AHxoRCfbpoRKd9fs4Sh47XvNYi5D18GLOmZrn6lLfxTybCV5hnZaw-06j2C7lx632O_tT4zlRICroLXRSD2rN5G-6N-pHSRDWlZ_Mig4E/w400-h300/P1110787.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The added bonus of entering these knitalongs is that I now have a nice new pair of socks to add to my sock drawer just in time for the colder weather.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-18027416506410549632023-10-03T09:39:00.001+01:002023-10-03T09:39:57.069+01:00Official Photos<p>It's Eleanor and Jacob's first wedding anniversary today, the wedding seems so long ago now. I did a post about <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2022/10/eleanor-and-jacobs-wedding-day.html" target="_blank">Eleanor And Jacob's Wedding Day</a> at the time and included some photos which people had snapped on their phones but I never got round to showing you any of the official photos.</p><p>Actually, they still haven't got their wedding album. It was a while before the photos came through and then there were well over a thousand photos to choose from. It's been a bit of a full on year for them with one thing and another so the photos had been put on a back burner but they've now decided which ones they want including in their album and are just waiting on the photographer putting it all together.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGazdzfj3KMBVbN9ED7md7CjX9U-2sueUgAmxnHAQrDnI0zUn2zKWRTHyVWAV2AspU0ivT7BgGa28eTbeP7tecXQiodR6zTubns2HgJi-MM-IMCfs0F-ZjUL2ZK1qoDDF7vOC_qDQgG23IrZYQiGZVYvr2eO9BEcnCgHAPuhPVjFu5zgsfvC_lnt/s1000/thumbnail.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="714" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaIGazdzfj3KMBVbN9ED7md7CjX9U-2sueUgAmxnHAQrDnI0zUn2zKWRTHyVWAV2AspU0ivT7BgGa28eTbeP7tecXQiodR6zTubns2HgJi-MM-IMCfs0F-ZjUL2ZK1qoDDF7vOC_qDQgG23IrZYQiGZVYvr2eO9BEcnCgHAPuhPVjFu5zgsfvC_lnt/w285-h400/thumbnail.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMq7Wwla9_sYynwH0KaVc3RTis3Z3qBs4HumJVFgSGbWJCjDcsNTrBo69UpFYJVyApK96slYLb-xB1esVq3INGsNikMkSXYvSV2eQDB90XpEuxlOVcwMSLrTu8t1f5b8c6WzooRfcioKQY4r5vaj5JkKD9O58TpoNWEt0OAybdLkBZSP9l4OcjfLI/s1000/thumbnail%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMq7Wwla9_sYynwH0KaVc3RTis3Z3qBs4HumJVFgSGbWJCjDcsNTrBo69UpFYJVyApK96slYLb-xB1esVq3INGsNikMkSXYvSV2eQDB90XpEuxlOVcwMSLrTu8t1f5b8c6WzooRfcioKQY4r5vaj5JkKD9O58TpoNWEt0OAybdLkBZSP9l4OcjfLI/w320-h400/thumbnail%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5eGuY8wBTNs-_0JvmVFE3NrrUYICQPR8SWwSIcP-btnDQsPrTnMESqVSOENHsEKFnIvHXqpf9fiJXxrwSj618---d42Mdy9TgRj0C-uK09dhHr_BsQ6dLon9gh5sBfQqUumQjnf9WbpCHyf_CXJ1xiq94z3eye5sOC1gpvXiTTJoeIimfehqWSO8/s1000/thumbnail%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5eGuY8wBTNs-_0JvmVFE3NrrUYICQPR8SWwSIcP-btnDQsPrTnMESqVSOENHsEKFnIvHXqpf9fiJXxrwSj618---d42Mdy9TgRj0C-uK09dhHr_BsQ6dLon9gh5sBfQqUumQjnf9WbpCHyf_CXJ1xiq94z3eye5sOC1gpvXiTTJoeIimfehqWSO8/w320-h400/thumbnail%20(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEPvlrTB00zlgUru9Z8Ughqou31AZJ5mUJfNjJsLvGgxUSw8DnjDoHaq37viQaGsg5b4GPY_apKd4ZfS9fSH1s0FHCm1stHE8s3YwydrePEoZNjWGRQbQqudnAGGmrpbm4isflMqJTwaz3d9W_P5CXw22T_Uuz_-k7X0IoPTISoekHgzvMTWs83Eg/s1000/thumbnail%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEPvlrTB00zlgUru9Z8Ughqou31AZJ5mUJfNjJsLvGgxUSw8DnjDoHaq37viQaGsg5b4GPY_apKd4ZfS9fSH1s0FHCm1stHE8s3YwydrePEoZNjWGRQbQqudnAGGmrpbm4isflMqJTwaz3d9W_P5CXw22T_Uuz_-k7X0IoPTISoekHgzvMTWs83Eg/w400-h320/thumbnail%20(3).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cxI0dNisJpAiRmc_w8flKLHaZ4v7Kue6ns5JRxKnIpjFMyk-hJqmP2lY_BgkEJlkBMpOv0uF9o_7hyA4krjcd5-xD5ZfCn649bZ36DnDL5EbxckVqQc5iklAytxI5doszT5v2qB8-HxLSWsZNPMzKo-muEKssPtjHrrokN5IxkuTdsYI1BKmgt6U/s1000/thumbnail%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_cxI0dNisJpAiRmc_w8flKLHaZ4v7Kue6ns5JRxKnIpjFMyk-hJqmP2lY_BgkEJlkBMpOv0uF9o_7hyA4krjcd5-xD5ZfCn649bZ36DnDL5EbxckVqQc5iklAytxI5doszT5v2qB8-HxLSWsZNPMzKo-muEKssPtjHrrokN5IxkuTdsYI1BKmgt6U/w400-h320/thumbnail%20(4).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOosaTBuwbXQoG9wfP0lntycpdQRoc9jjxP2w-btI8CkzZMFmbLr0bb5WrbFTtAOS3fG5UbfiIo_ES61zAezu7fthOrW2-zAm6bHja72hovZALVEKyG49Q6QOEl_2MxiT48ZEsz28ASwEcsWbfv90vlZ962Oia3m31oYobQeW2wWbTqZv5y5-Vjf2/s1000/thumbnail%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOosaTBuwbXQoG9wfP0lntycpdQRoc9jjxP2w-btI8CkzZMFmbLr0bb5WrbFTtAOS3fG5UbfiIo_ES61zAezu7fthOrW2-zAm6bHja72hovZALVEKyG49Q6QOEl_2MxiT48ZEsz28ASwEcsWbfv90vlZ962Oia3m31oYobQeW2wWbTqZv5y5-Vjf2/w320-h400/thumbnail%20(6).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXuyrQO7xb9_C1sWHb853rRCgZFAhLxk7h-8h_vXPEuD03GViFJMEoAmWLxoD6RbrfILDwcweke0qNUph_9HVkl-d02YCphEITCK61riqK3nQIyChF1-5JKlKUqaFT6OVNccKSpS8RAF9b3RaNnkzPnsMIgtzHhA5x3dvJB2qaPumW_g6WZaLble9/s1000/thumbnail%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigXuyrQO7xb9_C1sWHb853rRCgZFAhLxk7h-8h_vXPEuD03GViFJMEoAmWLxoD6RbrfILDwcweke0qNUph_9HVkl-d02YCphEITCK61riqK3nQIyChF1-5JKlKUqaFT6OVNccKSpS8RAF9b3RaNnkzPnsMIgtzHhA5x3dvJB2qaPumW_g6WZaLble9/w320-h400/thumbnail%20(7).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvGBoXtHFVaY3qSec-1Ue0vhqa9SUBrn5Xrnrv7O2KZS3eZFu44cU03Captrp426RB65h86E3Kg4Mf7bTXjtmNiWKrSoeJhz9BNHmyD37nZLubG6Za_buqoPpe8Nm1KpnOOzRfMsikSDyryhi_wZ11FaQRlzb_JKjKOCkhU_j4qGy535bR4dpl9cm/s1000/thumbnail%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="714" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvGBoXtHFVaY3qSec-1Ue0vhqa9SUBrn5Xrnrv7O2KZS3eZFu44cU03Captrp426RB65h86E3Kg4Mf7bTXjtmNiWKrSoeJhz9BNHmyD37nZLubG6Za_buqoPpe8Nm1KpnOOzRfMsikSDyryhi_wZ11FaQRlzb_JKjKOCkhU_j4qGy535bR4dpl9cm/w285-h400/thumbnail%20(8).jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoSbTCk9CFDt2iJ9d9Wd1LpXuuOCVr1B8YC93EfnJrhfLdO5U03M48Mmyg_d1vbmA3PZ-Yo3agcsivF5M-fG7_0if-eM8OYqNEdrdwfAnXCIe_VuPbt7Q_-6iMd5UEmwecxltiXCle0kYMcwJUFL3bqHrzZEk6i1rxwMUNyVjENBqRJqPI8ulJ5Sn/s1000/thumbnail%20(9).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoSbTCk9CFDt2iJ9d9Wd1LpXuuOCVr1B8YC93EfnJrhfLdO5U03M48Mmyg_d1vbmA3PZ-Yo3agcsivF5M-fG7_0if-eM8OYqNEdrdwfAnXCIe_VuPbt7Q_-6iMd5UEmwecxltiXCle0kYMcwJUFL3bqHrzZEk6i1rxwMUNyVjENBqRJqPI8ulJ5Sn/w400-h320/thumbnail%20(9).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGU1oDFdGHgqhCx04bh6OPp09B47WqJp6P6L-EhNQhHXISz2B-zcxuCs8j_PG5n7QhNfDh91mI3_TdXiXbC4bI6BvMhlc4AK4ZNxT-3zbe0P-c2KFQGsiQUox-wS_9nJs8v8NN5nYAS8lidBgHEBm17OkZPjGdbuSnjSTGRPcqGCqmp1OMghu5MiN/s1000/thumbnail%20(10).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="714" data-original-width="1000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGU1oDFdGHgqhCx04bh6OPp09B47WqJp6P6L-EhNQhHXISz2B-zcxuCs8j_PG5n7QhNfDh91mI3_TdXiXbC4bI6BvMhlc4AK4ZNxT-3zbe0P-c2KFQGsiQUox-wS_9nJs8v8NN5nYAS8lidBgHEBm17OkZPjGdbuSnjSTGRPcqGCqmp1OMghu5MiN/w400-h285/thumbnail%20(10).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-LO3JEVVwcUZfmJqQgfVxDfQ6LPjlmJmogcR59yV3mteXityog27pnNR6QQ6H_fmczh04nevYag8OBf1iX6Sq5i26AesG_5FUQattojg7SA8vhjGOvd31kmPOch6HCLAPATQddfdtw3u3R9gUesitW56o3MjIppcjo_EITQNIu89zD5ogTeAqNIW/s1000/thumbnail%20(11).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-LO3JEVVwcUZfmJqQgfVxDfQ6LPjlmJmogcR59yV3mteXityog27pnNR6QQ6H_fmczh04nevYag8OBf1iX6Sq5i26AesG_5FUQattojg7SA8vhjGOvd31kmPOch6HCLAPATQddfdtw3u3R9gUesitW56o3MjIppcjo_EITQNIu89zD5ogTeAqNIW/w400-h266/thumbnail%20(11).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>These are just a few of the photos they're including in the album. I hope you've enjoyed seeing them. Eleanor and Jacob are currently in Crete where they're celebrating their anniversary in 5* luxury.</p><p>Happy First Wedding Anniversary, Eleanor and Jacob!</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-40361508863988035332023-09-30T11:15:00.000+01:002023-09-30T11:15:19.084+01:00September 2023<p>We had a heatwave at the beginning of September. It was quite unexpected after the mixed summer we've had this year but it was nice to get some good weather at last, especially as autumn has now brought cooler temperatures with it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9oMscEEIiotV34YBpWRH6Hkd9FfBFrAnL68qWXLl-DDqfKLWL69GaeqoHd8WZjPasIFDJJTBElmq2o_OlNVbgjaWtVH9x8x9rTPzJcsUn_H4NVOAzq2oLt_IapH3Y_LiVL-6gMHfNftXEa-0BsJwUXytoimoV6F6xhDntnVkfsj0GoLKNNNMxaFiCYw/s800/P1110676.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9oMscEEIiotV34YBpWRH6Hkd9FfBFrAnL68qWXLl-DDqfKLWL69GaeqoHd8WZjPasIFDJJTBElmq2o_OlNVbgjaWtVH9x8x9rTPzJcsUn_H4NVOAzq2oLt_IapH3Y_LiVL-6gMHfNftXEa-0BsJwUXytoimoV6F6xhDntnVkfsj0GoLKNNNMxaFiCYw/w400-h300/P1110676.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The weather perked up just in time for my birthday on the 3rd. It fell on a Sunday so we booked a table for a lovely Sunday lunch for the six of us at a very popular pub less than five miles from home which I mentioned when I wrote my post about <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2022/08/st-marys-church-lead.html" target="_blank">St Mary's Church, Lead</a>. Afterwards it was all back to our house where we enjoyed the sunshine in the garden, ate cake and ice-cream, and played games. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday. I received some wonderful gifts, a few of which are shown above. Some more books to add to my classics collection from family members. The note book, yarn and chocolate were from my lovely friend, Maggie, who blogs at <a href="https://crossblackcountry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Black CountryWench</a>. The notebook is lovely, it's one of those with the loose cover so that the book can be replaced when full. Thank you Maggie, such a lovely gift. I also received perfume, a new case for my iPad and lots of chocolate amongst other things.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Kcvdgp_tRiELpkW2cEjLqPp7G1N_waaAlSKHfD2LYj6-SSA0SbADEVECp5hWHyz6EKuayiR2aYZ9b-NuTNHicOSq0g74PRacmSs8FGb6eHppbge6ezQTBaZ2u1juMlEpRGjRfP0mHnmaVUms7ocXpEKQdNedZ_nNe1f4YMEr2ppKHNN9GhGoQQVjXo/s800/P1110744.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3Kcvdgp_tRiELpkW2cEjLqPp7G1N_waaAlSKHfD2LYj6-SSA0SbADEVECp5hWHyz6EKuayiR2aYZ9b-NuTNHicOSq0g74PRacmSs8FGb6eHppbge6ezQTBaZ2u1juMlEpRGjRfP0mHnmaVUms7ocXpEKQdNedZ_nNe1f4YMEr2ppKHNN9GhGoQQVjXo/w400-h300/P1110744.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We don't visit Lotherton as often as usual during the summer months as it's much busier when the schools are on holiday, but come September, we're back to our usual walks. The red deer have lots of fawns in their herd at the moment so are rather skittish but this beautiful girl was very inquisitive and wanted to know exactly what we were doing. Archie's happy to be back walking at Lotherton too, his favourite place.</p><p>I've read five books this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl2gCuDnd4cuIlY1gBESSjGyu4B27AAKj4CrHMA-MxhO9PplS6GabRkvDXIS8hsG0NfWdbjqI7WA8gEpImIqJv_CS-t6CG1mT_SgzdNMZFae1bS9ETUAsMFa7Oz08rD-ACEG728bfOmU8pfPqXG2TC46vrSrjjVImCaMuDNHJ6xxN9YqYFX2xjcqOdwc/s800/P1110303.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcl2gCuDnd4cuIlY1gBESSjGyu4B27AAKj4CrHMA-MxhO9PplS6GabRkvDXIS8hsG0NfWdbjqI7WA8gEpImIqJv_CS-t6CG1mT_SgzdNMZFae1bS9ETUAsMFa7Oz08rD-ACEG728bfOmU8pfPqXG2TC46vrSrjjVImCaMuDNHJ6xxN9YqYFX2xjcqOdwc/w150-h200/P1110303.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte.<div><br /></div><div>"This sensational, hard-hitting and passionate tale of marital cruelty sees a mysterious new tenant at Wildfell Hall, Helen Graham, unmasked not as a 'wicked woman' as the local gossips would have it, but as the estranged wife of a brutal alcoholic bully, desperate to protect her son.</div><div><br /></div><div>Using her own experiences with her brother Branwell to depict the cruelty and debauchery from which Helen flees, Anne Bronte wrote her masterpiece to reflect the fragile position of women in society and her belief in universal redemption."</div><div><br /></div><div>Anne Bronte wrote only two novels before her untimely death at the age of twenty-nine. I read <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2022/08/agnes-grey.html" target="_blank">Agnes Grey</a> last year and enjoyed that so I decided to give her other book a go.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Tenant of Wildfell Hall reads as two books. First of all there's the story of Mrs Graham, a mysterious widow who has come to live at Wildfell Hall, a dilapidated mansion which has stood empty for years. She becomes the subject of neighbourhood gossip but Gilbert Markham believes none of it. She eventually gives Gilbert her diary to read and this is where the second story takes over.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dealing with themes such as domestic violence, mental cruelty and alcoholism, Anne Bronte touched on subjects which were considered taboo and many now consider The Tenant of Wildfell Hall to be one of the first feminist novels.</div><div><br /></div><div>I loved this book, I read it much quicker than I expected as I just didn't want to put it down. It's so sad that Anne died at such a young age, she was obviously a talented author and I'd have loved to read more.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bdQfMHdTOucrgmVBntw2xwKGJyR_SCeNbmY3gXmghOluSO1KWPgqfPB07GFx4D1I7BiEDGcIL8oVmIt7726-Xj9ChF5DV7lyWnU-G4OC4Vam06vP28MbE-xBabRpB5y3UoIWvoB6zzglMLSqbth6-tvcqUYCohXWKajW67eqacQcGuK32P4qGkIGXvE/s800/P1110307.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bdQfMHdTOucrgmVBntw2xwKGJyR_SCeNbmY3gXmghOluSO1KWPgqfPB07GFx4D1I7BiEDGcIL8oVmIt7726-Xj9ChF5DV7lyWnU-G4OC4Vam06vP28MbE-xBabRpB5y3UoIWvoB6zzglMLSqbth6-tvcqUYCohXWKajW67eqacQcGuK32P4qGkIGXvE/w150-h200/P1110307.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>The Year at Thrush Green by Miss Read.<div><br /></div><div>"Following a bitterly cold snap in January, winter at Thrush Green turns into a beautiful spring and a series of local dramas takes hold of the village community. Plans for the village fete are hotting up, the illness of Mrs Peters at the Fuchsia Bush restaurant makes the future uncertain for its staff, and problems concerning the Rectory Cottages prove difficult to solve.</div><div><br /></div><div>Meanwhile, the arrival of a stranger from America excites much interest and curiosity - who is this blond giant, and what effect will he have on the village?</div><div><br /></div><div>Set against the changing seasons, exquisitely observed, <i>The Year at Thrush Green </i>is a rural delight."</div><div><br /></div><div>This is the penultimate book in the Thrush Green series. Written month by month, Miss Read takes us through a full year of all the happenings in the village. One of the wonderful things about these books is how the changing seasons are observed, and as the story takes us through the calendar year, we get to see the changes in nature which each month brings through the beautifully descriptive writing.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just one more Thrush Green book to go, I'll be so sad when this series comes to an end.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nRkcJiCaBz6nveoNLZ-KeL6mfAisbUojKDcCyAd_qHF1efMkOpCOG1BDi8C-c4NMW1qUpg8c32LMAt67RytcYt6f-uyp_X2JoD8ZYQlRtdJYt0s1gQxJEee5KBetd4BQuWbnAooPqbOPrUp3fnhJGmr9WwjI3R566mCtOF6ax98m5r-MHnyOMZqJL0A/s800/P1110310.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nRkcJiCaBz6nveoNLZ-KeL6mfAisbUojKDcCyAd_qHF1efMkOpCOG1BDi8C-c4NMW1qUpg8c32LMAt67RytcYt6f-uyp_X2JoD8ZYQlRtdJYt0s1gQxJEee5KBetd4BQuWbnAooPqbOPrUp3fnhJGmr9WwjI3R566mCtOF6ax98m5r-MHnyOMZqJL0A/w150-h200/P1110310.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div><div>Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Meet Sam...</div><div><br /></div><div>She's not got much, but she's grateful for what she has: a job she's just about clinging on to and a family who depend on her for everything. She knows she's one bad day away from losing it all - and just hopes today isn't it...</div><div><br /></div><div>Meet Nisha...</div><div><br /></div><div>She's got everything she always dreamed of - and more: a phenomenally rich husband; an international lifestyle; but...she's just been locked out of all of it after her husband initiates divorce proceedings...</div><div><br /></div><div>Sam and Nisha should never have crossed paths. But after a bag mix-up at the gym, their lives become intertwined - even as they spiral out of control.</div><div><br /></div><div>Each blames the other as they feel increasingly invisible, forgotten, lost, and desperately alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>But they're not.</div><div><br /></div><div>No woman is an island. Look around. Family. Friends. Strangers. Even the woman you believe just ruined your life might turn out to be your best friend. Because together you can do anything - like take back what is yours..."</div><div><br /></div><div>I reserved this book a long time ago at the library and finally got to the top of the list. I didn't even know what the book was about when I reserved it but I didn't care. I've read every one of Jojo Moyes' books and there isn't one that I haven't enjoyed. I suppose other people feel the same because it's taken a heck of a long time to get to the top of that library list.</div><div><br /></div><div>Jojo Moyes comes up with some great storylines, her books are never 'samey', she's very original and this is why I look forward to her releasing new material. She also comes up with great characters who you always end up rooting for.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another great book and another I'd definitely recommend.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7iX4RCdY_z6-EJTgykx3Wl5h_iYgjrKxWP6VCf4SkXUgRNO_zXKlLm4vXk-I-trO6aThWcmAXXqtVNGRvCaI8FRDPwhB9n9DbKzeZwF67eT0oKLApi5vTiFpx5qeUdyQL1Op9oXaXruHwbbdSoyROIlEQM6WICYWlnzO16l52tKXd-j7sQI8tjECsfw/s800/P1110369.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7iX4RCdY_z6-EJTgykx3Wl5h_iYgjrKxWP6VCf4SkXUgRNO_zXKlLm4vXk-I-trO6aThWcmAXXqtVNGRvCaI8FRDPwhB9n9DbKzeZwF67eT0oKLApi5vTiFpx5qeUdyQL1Op9oXaXruHwbbdSoyROIlEQM6WICYWlnzO16l52tKXd-j7sQI8tjECsfw/w150-h200/P1110369.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Three Sisters by Heather Morris.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"Their story will break your heart</i></div><div><i>Their journey will fill you with hope</i></div><div><i>Survival would be their victory</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>When they are young girls, Cibi, Magda and Livia make a promise to their father: that they will stay together, no matter what. Years later, at just 16, Livia is ordered to Auschwitz by the Nazis, Cibi, only 19 herself, follows Livia, determined to protect her sister, or die with her. Together, they fight to survive through unimaginable cruelty and hardship.</div><div><br /></div><div>Magda, at only 18, stays with her mother and grandfather, hiding out in a neighbour's attic or in the forest when the Nazi militia come. Eventually she too is captured and transported to the death camp. In Auschwitz-Birkenau the three sisters are reunited and, remembering their father, they make a new promise, this time to each other: that they will survive.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Three Sisters </i>is a beautiful story of hope in the hardest of times and of finding love after loss, based on the incredible true story of the Mellor sisters, as told to Heather Morris."</div><div><br /></div><div>I've read books by Heather Morris before and this one is just as harrowing. It's so hard to imagine the atrocities which were committed in the concentration camps. This story, and others like it, are important because we must never be allowed to forget.</div><div><br /></div><div>This book is so well written and I like the fact that a good proportion of the book is about the lives of the Three Sisters after their time in Auschwitz-Birkenau, how they got their lives back on track and the obstacles they had to overcome. I know not everyone likes to read this genre of book but it's definitely one I'd recommend if you do.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4266uba45pkM0Id0wyF-iPWDxNRa27W6Gvcohmq6AJ_UIMd2q9u-qdhv4aSKHREJCU8hWT8A6GFHXC6ehJvtANz0cg4-hyNZFa6WP2YejbJZaJkzc4sxzRSOnCjzi2xrGiiBb7lRRz1ow7Eutg6ffGuLRGZZ9P8h4PM8N_pwqXZf8X8vFeXdb5otK0p8/s800/P1110606.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4266uba45pkM0Id0wyF-iPWDxNRa27W6Gvcohmq6AJ_UIMd2q9u-qdhv4aSKHREJCU8hWT8A6GFHXC6ehJvtANz0cg4-hyNZFa6WP2YejbJZaJkzc4sxzRSOnCjzi2xrGiiBb7lRRz1ow7Eutg6ffGuLRGZZ9P8h4PM8N_pwqXZf8X8vFeXdb5otK0p8/w150-h200/P1110606.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie.<div><br /></div><div>"THEY SAY YOU CAN'T CHOOSE YOUR FAMILY.</div><div>BUT YOU CAN KILL THEM...</div><div><br /></div><div>Meet Grace Bernard.</div><div><br /></div><div>Daughter, sister, serial killer...</div><div><br /></div><div>Grace has lost everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>And she will stop at nothing to get revenge."</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm sure you can guess by the title that this is quite a dark book, but written very tongue in cheek and with humour. There are some rather long chapters where the story seems to drag a little but it did keep my interest. I'm in two minds about the ending though, on one hand I found it a little lazy but then on the other, it's quite inspired. Contradictory I know. All in all I found it a good read, something a little different from the books I usually pick up.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYfbL2782GsS-O8pqa99E5pH2XsB95oC3SwS2Qfpmk2irjd470ni2v88iLfuK35V1uFrlJyETK3iTfV6y7dDdUY6WhcIPo3RFcWsSbkq6DOOr2ZQYzvBwAg4nRkqRRVx2MBIvKnNQ9geYOlJc6n-uXcAziR4BomYt1gVu17kTQvQdi_5XAtuRPGfcDqg/s800/P1110749.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYfbL2782GsS-O8pqa99E5pH2XsB95oC3SwS2Qfpmk2irjd470ni2v88iLfuK35V1uFrlJyETK3iTfV6y7dDdUY6WhcIPo3RFcWsSbkq6DOOr2ZQYzvBwAg4nRkqRRVx2MBIvKnNQ9geYOlJc6n-uXcAziR4BomYt1gVu17kTQvQdi_5XAtuRPGfcDqg/w400-h300/P1110749.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We said goodbye to a very dear family friend this month. Although she'd been poorly over the last couple of years, her health had improved somewhat and so her death came as quite a shock. Apparently, she'd left detailed instructions on how she wanted her funeral to be carried out and so her family knew exactly what she wanted. We found this bookmark on our car when we left the crematorium.</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivA9uRM7kxTX2hLWYeu08_9oDzAT1TkJSyC0Ob_g2g-LCx8wpkV65CCC3YqIub5yLtBdnVOHa55VWIazL5I8KnZIwCZ3-Psu9ZU7lmaY6K76qitdNcBqm_NRChSX_IuO9jlZsNWQeWgG83uXDsIN_gn38lZIjvpPGq88lLrdVfA4LYnhQ2HFdEAOgrC0/s800/P1110691.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivA9uRM7kxTX2hLWYeu08_9oDzAT1TkJSyC0Ob_g2g-LCx8wpkV65CCC3YqIub5yLtBdnVOHa55VWIazL5I8KnZIwCZ3-Psu9ZU7lmaY6K76qitdNcBqm_NRChSX_IuO9jlZsNWQeWgG83uXDsIN_gn38lZIjvpPGq88lLrdVfA4LYnhQ2HFdEAOgrC0/w400-h300/P1110691.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens and what a great start to the series we've had. There's some fabulous dancers this year, hard to guess who will still be there at the end. Once again, I'm joining in with the Strictly Sockalong which is being held on the Little Drops of Wonderful podcast. This is the sixth year that I've joined in, with those taking part knitting socks whilst watching the show, though of course, cheating is encouraged so I may end up knitting the socks at other times too.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we head into October, it's all about preparing for winter. We haven't succumbed and turned on the heating yet but I doubt it will be long before we do. I don't enjoy the colder months of the year, and as the clocks go back at the end of the month, the nights will be drawing in too which is something else I dislike. I don't have anything planned for the month ahead so let's see what it brings.</div></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-8194770391276278102023-09-20T10:44:00.000+01:002023-09-20T10:44:58.334+01:00Our Staycation<p>Mick took a week off work in August. Well, it was over a week really as he'd taken the Friday before off too and the August bank holiday was tagged onto the end, so he actually had eleven consecutive days off. We'd been umming and ahhing about whether to go away or not but at thirteen, Archie is really starting to struggle. He's healthy enough but very slow now and he definitely can't walk as far as he once could so we have to be mindful of his limitations. He always goes on our days out with us but a long day can wipe him out, so we tend to give him a bit of a rest the day following a full day out. In the end we decided to stay at home and have a staycation instead, going off for days but coming home again afterwards. It meant that it wasn't quite so full on for Archie and I have to admit that I do like my own bed so this suits me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN2Zrs9nsyqZieX6wnbbUcTyeWdQuVeHIYO4PqjQnOL8fcJPzIbXr540m-TT0i4FF9k_SvscFUnyoOO0FUlRiWfI5FjiR79uG_TDz5BR0ZqW2S5ixSAptP6oP8yctKwQ5HetSGRzE4zAs7oRkZObJIzUR9XaMut99rVjG6TXR7OzNu4DmA4NiNReKXOo/s800/P1110534.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRN2Zrs9nsyqZieX6wnbbUcTyeWdQuVeHIYO4PqjQnOL8fcJPzIbXr540m-TT0i4FF9k_SvscFUnyoOO0FUlRiWfI5FjiR79uG_TDz5BR0ZqW2S5ixSAptP6oP8yctKwQ5HetSGRzE4zAs7oRkZObJIzUR9XaMut99rVjG6TXR7OzNu4DmA4NiNReKXOo/w400-h300/P1110534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You'll have already seen my posts <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/08/its-scarecrow-time-again.html" target="_blank">It's Scarecrow Time Again</a> and <a href="https://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/09/derbyshire-well-dressings.html" target="_blank">Derbyshire Well Dressings</a>, about the places we visited on the Friday and Sunday, so following a long day out we decided to stay closer to home on the Monday having a few hours at Cannon Hall in South Yorkshire before Mick and I had a meal out at a local pub in the evening while Archie relaxed after his walk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsplFMFTEJX7pk5cfShUSeEDxUtCNZI04ER6zWZyNIvjLDrZUk_pxcIL0QG586NkO9yt9TT8vmcw04t99SvtHHj1UiSiG_DjPPsXwBu-EoKfWM-xTYTJrNeiAJpWMRzTGTaDwuKMT-9SoM9-f9SyORZo0DIg9BszDHQU9EI6gPst9cndsxbkubyt6xcEA/s800/P1110537.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsplFMFTEJX7pk5cfShUSeEDxUtCNZI04ER6zWZyNIvjLDrZUk_pxcIL0QG586NkO9yt9TT8vmcw04t99SvtHHj1UiSiG_DjPPsXwBu-EoKfWM-xTYTJrNeiAJpWMRzTGTaDwuKMT-9SoM9-f9SyORZo0DIg9BszDHQU9EI6gPst9cndsxbkubyt6xcEA/w400-h300/P1110537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>On the Tuesday, following a more restful day for Archie, we had another full day out, this time in Chester. I've wanted to visit this city for a long time but I have to say that I was rather disappointed. The architecture is amazing, especially around The Rows with the Tudor style half timber buildings but many places we saw were so run down and frankly dirty, including areas around the river. I had imagined Chester to be comparable to York, though smaller, but what we saw definitely wasn't. Don't get me wrong, York certainly has its run down areas too, but on the whole, the touristy areas at least seem much better kept. It looks like Chester needs a bit of money spent on it and a some TLC. A bit of a shame but you can't win them all.</p><p>After a very long day we decided to give Archie a full day at home on the Wednesday to recover. It was a bit of a rest for us too if I'm honest, it was nice not to rush out of bed and get out the door.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTD-uKbLyK8WBqmZ6XjTQDf45hRgA6YEm5YVx3M1Qvg3eqTRA8NBofWbHPqgfyed51H0pHTzZB89zFsZNJyki4xDxArN-jSDYR9UslvXvNzV6q0gauU25cjc8XgBIeS-1SCEZCjBdKAJCxZ4ik0gyvzL0JaqQo_j5N2zDvyRFFMfQ_Gj8_QkmmgJyzEU/s800/P1110588.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTD-uKbLyK8WBqmZ6XjTQDf45hRgA6YEm5YVx3M1Qvg3eqTRA8NBofWbHPqgfyed51H0pHTzZB89zFsZNJyki4xDxArN-jSDYR9UslvXvNzV6q0gauU25cjc8XgBIeS-1SCEZCjBdKAJCxZ4ik0gyvzL0JaqQo_j5N2zDvyRFFMfQ_Gj8_QkmmgJyzEU/w400-h300/P1110588.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We love the Yorkshire coast so no staycation would be complete without a trip to the seaside. We chose Saltburn-by-the-Sea, a small resort which still retains its olde worlde charm. It was a lovely day, not hot but warm enough and very still, so we enjoyed some time on the beach and Archie enjoyed a paddle. We stopped off in Pickering on the way home to have a meal in the pub we'd hoped to visit on Mick's birthday. They do the most amazing Yorkshire puddings with various fillings, Mick opted for beef. I confess it's just too big a meal for me so I had something a little lighter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-5v_MAF0YDFbChqEk8XCGzS2YqY9Buz9j4PBgwiNsjg3WygyS9KfJTrybE6ggNl0ecNTUHGB-mYt4Rehpx4Qd8WT-XUiwc2-YQXr3Y0gpNZLV-lQVbcDlF7A7bSj77UWmRi8UfUOzuUXBTptTgX-knEcITpsEmWccIPCH4mVtRewr-oTn5dVc_D_UW8/s800/P1110600.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-5v_MAF0YDFbChqEk8XCGzS2YqY9Buz9j4PBgwiNsjg3WygyS9KfJTrybE6ggNl0ecNTUHGB-mYt4Rehpx4Qd8WT-XUiwc2-YQXr3Y0gpNZLV-lQVbcDlF7A7bSj77UWmRi8UfUOzuUXBTptTgX-knEcITpsEmWccIPCH4mVtRewr-oTn5dVc_D_UW8/w400-h300/P1110600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a slower start on Friday so that Archie could recover from his exertions of the day before. At lunch time we headed to Helmsley, a market town in North Yorkshire. Helmsley has a fabulous walled garden as well as castle ruins, neither of which we visited on this trip, but Friday is market day so we did have a wander around the dozen or so stalls and a mooch around the lovely independent shops. It's such a pretty village, we always enjoy our visits.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM2J6tjH65LMBcueMYKbHpG7A11M7axRJs6VDZEQNzt4NFOc1L15HY55M7RRx7Mq_ofSAhWz0Z07l1t_IiBh5ar7Gqf-mE07TMjH-z2N5MBVYL2wSdZNcZfplnGn0eP4Zb68_DWinQLEt9Y5JKQ_nkXzD4pgdmI7lmg6IWMDUsV0fvejcij3AoDZVHgs/s800/P1110627.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM2J6tjH65LMBcueMYKbHpG7A11M7axRJs6VDZEQNzt4NFOc1L15HY55M7RRx7Mq_ofSAhWz0Z07l1t_IiBh5ar7Gqf-mE07TMjH-z2N5MBVYL2wSdZNcZfplnGn0eP4Zb68_DWinQLEt9Y5JKQ_nkXzD4pgdmI7lmg6IWMDUsV0fvejcij3AoDZVHgs/w400-h300/P1110627.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Mick was playing cricket on the Saturday so Archie and I stayed at home and then on the Sunday we ventured over to the east coast again, this time to Flamborough where I'd heard that seals were visiting. There were actually a great many seals that we could see, some sunning themselves on the beach and rocks and others frolicking in the sea. Everyone was being very respectful and viewing from the cliffs, leaving the seals to enjoy their visit without any kind of harassment. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWEeXy7fkw2FyvNSNodyO3Rte40ZCY9CqJp0Lv1-40PGMBdsc5jupUNL29hnhLlvGneXB8oNpxfRpyr4DH-qVO4f-gAJJFB03X4CrlJCE3TGjiDwyjKNtf8qhzrJ946yCQ2sZgfmbAZI-s-lO89B3ql_A5n2LRXYNRHvcvnvrmrqsCuj9IA6QE5jXhZI/s800/P1110653.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLWEeXy7fkw2FyvNSNodyO3Rte40ZCY9CqJp0Lv1-40PGMBdsc5jupUNL29hnhLlvGneXB8oNpxfRpyr4DH-qVO4f-gAJJFB03X4CrlJCE3TGjiDwyjKNtf8qhzrJ946yCQ2sZgfmbAZI-s-lO89B3ql_A5n2LRXYNRHvcvnvrmrqsCuj9IA6QE5jXhZI/w400-h300/P1110653.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We ended our staycation with a trip to York on the bank holiday Monday. Although we visit often we love this city as it's close to home so we can be there and parked up in less than half an hour, and looking round the independent shops, visiting the historical places or taking a walk along the river are enjoyable ways to pass a few hours. We ended our day, and staycation, with an ice-cream, which Archie got his fair share of.</p><p>Mick's debating whether to take another week off work but the weather's holding him back at the moment. We've had quite a bit of rain and there's more forecast so he's just waiting to see if some better weather returns first. We usually get some fine weather in autumn so we may be lucky.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-32715674585750733402023-09-10T09:58:00.000+01:002023-09-10T09:58:00.613+01:00Derbyshire Well Dressings<p>I'm going back now to August when Mick has his time off work. On the Sunday during his holiday we decided to have a drive into Derbyshire. This county has a custom which is known to be at least 300 years old, probably more, well dressing. The Peak District is made up of limestone areas where water seeps away through fissures in the underlying rock and there are few streams. Wells formed from springs and this encouraged people to set up villages nearby. The tradition of well dressing, or adorning the wells with flowers, appears to have evolved as a way of giving thanks.</p><p>The displays are made from a clay base with flowers and natural materials pressed into it. We managed to find three villages which were having their well dressing celebrations during the week we visited. Other villages have their well dressings at different times of the year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBiEaBXfbZlAR7gWuAktBOs3SI1PS4olLC3pF2H4dAnAzOH5DGnYAhct4KsPkv5BqG4xOFPLnFW7i0phmCXrl7jk6LvRaMaVlvNDPPnTOy8zVn3K7GQIRKuELN7-2urlnwk6SeMYEc5LvPRONMflkJCNWUILx9G3X-qPp8Pe2fYiiXJNZT3t_4jxbtEk/s800/P1110487.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBiEaBXfbZlAR7gWuAktBOs3SI1PS4olLC3pF2H4dAnAzOH5DGnYAhct4KsPkv5BqG4xOFPLnFW7i0phmCXrl7jk6LvRaMaVlvNDPPnTOy8zVn3K7GQIRKuELN7-2urlnwk6SeMYEc5LvPRONMflkJCNWUILx9G3X-qPp8Pe2fYiiXJNZT3t_4jxbtEk/w400-h300/P1110487.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Foolow well dressing theme this year is Foolow Wildlife. They selected some local fauna and flora in celebration of the natural world around the village.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJu15x24Y3AJO2OPXYK_zNDFv0wPDzT2YFYE2211v717RQErL_56gpofZ2i9B6XE9GmUwXPeuT70Vu5dCzM0SminVHYnESgj6nh3Jbtr3dcweE4llFaw10zX6nyFK7epB3Bu0lFi7qUVmykFuYQ9jlQjjFKZ3uGINGMq3OVlF7ho2zC8ODneU6C-CxgLA/s800/P1110488.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJu15x24Y3AJO2OPXYK_zNDFv0wPDzT2YFYE2211v717RQErL_56gpofZ2i9B6XE9GmUwXPeuT70Vu5dCzM0SminVHYnESgj6nh3Jbtr3dcweE4llFaw10zX6nyFK7epB3Bu0lFi7qUVmykFuYQ9jlQjjFKZ3uGINGMq3OVlF7ho2zC8ODneU6C-CxgLA/w400-h300/P1110488.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>You can see on this close up of the bullfinch how the picture has been created with flower petals, feathers, greenery, bark, lots of different natural materials. It's so clever how they're made.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazjaCp1f_j9phDk2yNBvURXFCYPkVoMR5q7qLzCcyxANa-rpMMXhFDLVjhANMGCcm8DqcZyZV_XUY9RLYjV_aj_6sTVHd5k78VL-ZOWOB8h10KORL4dInNppQwffebSxbA1T-PhdBzfXUfAuiOkR_DyciyPuelNnRh4rjvHi_Q8bWihA9PlJJuQV-mRQ/s800/P1110504.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazjaCp1f_j9phDk2yNBvURXFCYPkVoMR5q7qLzCcyxANa-rpMMXhFDLVjhANMGCcm8DqcZyZV_XUY9RLYjV_aj_6sTVHd5k78VL-ZOWOB8h10KORL4dInNppQwffebSxbA1T-PhdBzfXUfAuiOkR_DyciyPuelNnRh4rjvHi_Q8bWihA9PlJJuQV-mRQ/w400-h300/P1110504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We then visited Barlow where there are three wells dressed, the Valley Rise Well, the 'Main' Well and the 'Small' Well. The first well we came to was the Main Well and the theme of the display was Fragile World.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGVj31anv9_fynwUz2juWtjYONMc0m7gCHlRsIRF78N7qB4xhWD_1jplJzSkFvWCy8tQbC2ajsZnZVG3zPGb9X8m7Eje-VLfu_TMuKGnF3SuW9gmL-ZvnfqVi7BgQ0MLIJOjnpw3L2tGPdDrOSZG_i96hGcDau7wsuRmn9pEPCZS4ZX1CQCOM-hCrUV8/s800/P1110509.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGVj31anv9_fynwUz2juWtjYONMc0m7gCHlRsIRF78N7qB4xhWD_1jplJzSkFvWCy8tQbC2ajsZnZVG3zPGb9X8m7Eje-VLfu_TMuKGnF3SuW9gmL-ZvnfqVi7BgQ0MLIJOjnpw3L2tGPdDrOSZG_i96hGcDau7wsuRmn9pEPCZS4ZX1CQCOM-hCrUV8/w400-h300/P1110509.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The theme of the Small Well, known locally as the Children's Well, was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9qYoXKOUeBUCs9TlKZkwW0Kx6Mh_CZBuuZRjEeqI1Fn-Kg-CAWrsdcZ-ZeOO319fbOU8-XXsY9BU6kqGL-SHmGWe7Z-yDaIL44mPsYQ-W3iYpQSxoCTCOiR8YS4V5VXVX8Il_1LYJpeba2O8Wikef1a-tlLhC5yR1r6cbqDDSnH4ZqpJ1N735szOYgM/s800/P1110514.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9qYoXKOUeBUCs9TlKZkwW0Kx6Mh_CZBuuZRjEeqI1Fn-Kg-CAWrsdcZ-ZeOO319fbOU8-XXsY9BU6kqGL-SHmGWe7Z-yDaIL44mPsYQ-W3iYpQSxoCTCOiR8YS4V5VXVX8Il_1LYJpeba2O8Wikef1a-tlLhC5yR1r6cbqDDSnH4ZqpJ1N735szOYgM/w400-h300/P1110514.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>The third well, or Valley Rise Well, is commemorating the coronation of King Charles III.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttMmOvQ0cG57MXOsegFGl_itR8S8fvmrNqqK548K_7pDuaarGtf8HExdYgnzfeDeTBcHOTwx5Pc2l2tDNfYvvefLxdExcld-rLIXngFqfitEKG7Q4LSwQHjuWUr2Te8OO1e7IwdLSlCkyVzKkCdMVnPZC-jxuoTOt2QYv1AFH_8OkoWTaaDQyLpU7VHQ/s800/P1110517.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttMmOvQ0cG57MXOsegFGl_itR8S8fvmrNqqK548K_7pDuaarGtf8HExdYgnzfeDeTBcHOTwx5Pc2l2tDNfYvvefLxdExcld-rLIXngFqfitEKG7Q4LSwQHjuWUr2Te8OO1e7IwdLSlCkyVzKkCdMVnPZC-jxuoTOt2QYv1AFH_8OkoWTaaDQyLpU7VHQ/w300-h400/P1110517.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Blackwell is a hamlet along the road to Taddington and their well dressing sits in the corner of a field belonging to a farm house. The theme here is caving, a very popular pursuit in the Peak District because of the limestone hills, there's plenty of caves to explore.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7HTGWs_ZwzbVexyvm3cmmkQei9IJxtI76DkvNFjjT6ViapolZYs8de3f7ei4xNmN6dd8KYSHeb-Jol9RrMRlr8mPm-1huogq0zQTE_RrNhUtLz07PhYHVpk7vi05o6yVh94eKFyX7i622GqSRt_d7EQnw-Gc6QGxOU1BxoSd9SuOkQw0A7Bv1Via5_4/s800/P1110523.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7HTGWs_ZwzbVexyvm3cmmkQei9IJxtI76DkvNFjjT6ViapolZYs8de3f7ei4xNmN6dd8KYSHeb-Jol9RrMRlr8mPm-1huogq0zQTE_RrNhUtLz07PhYHVpk7vi05o6yVh94eKFyX7i622GqSRt_d7EQnw-Gc6QGxOU1BxoSd9SuOkQw0A7Bv1Via5_4/w300-h400/P1110523.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>Onwards to Taddington, their theme was 'Unique to the Peak' highlighting some of the things which make the Peak Park a special place. Taddington's village fete was in full swing as we arrived, there was a brass band playing and stalls a plenty and we had a lovely time looking round.</p><p>We had a lovely day out, something a bit different from the norm. If you'd like to read more about well dressings, I wrote a post about our visit to the <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2019/06/tissington-well-dressing.html" target="_blank">Tissington Well Dressing</a> back in 2019.</p>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5605977931488846865.post-39258448243613320392023-08-31T10:05:00.000+01:002023-08-31T10:05:48.766+01:00August 2023<p>The bad weather we'd had in July continued into August. There was plenty of rain at the start of the month and it's been very mixed throughout. We Brits don't let that stop us though, we've enjoyed plenty of lovely days out this month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOnX5uxgsZH7GPCR58sUlv0pl-RUTh9Rcr8sVWQljdy-jnIz_lNp2Vu5ehDAmgU-yK02S4CD2IMLj_OLKkqTCZUPJUVvcjZLPS7M0EtRKr12ZztaD-UjaNW3h6WrZ-IHwKpVPWf5rLN5C42sMzUbTOvH8mZozcuLpwh48oPXtfZOhq_llpfpKShwDIEY/s800/P1110319.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOnX5uxgsZH7GPCR58sUlv0pl-RUTh9Rcr8sVWQljdy-jnIz_lNp2Vu5ehDAmgU-yK02S4CD2IMLj_OLKkqTCZUPJUVvcjZLPS7M0EtRKr12ZztaD-UjaNW3h6WrZ-IHwKpVPWf5rLN5C42sMzUbTOvH8mZozcuLpwh48oPXtfZOhq_llpfpKShwDIEY/w400-h300/P1110319.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Mick's first cricket match of the month was cancelled as there was a storm forecast. Not wanting to waste the day, we decided to have a drive out and settled on Haworth as our destination. We love this quaint Yorkshire village where the Bronte sisters lived between 1820 and 1861. There was some rain about but we managed to avoid the worst of the downpours and we ended up having a lovely day. The steep cobbled Main Street is lined with some lovely independent shops, my favourite being The Cabinet of Curiosities, the inside of which can be seen in the photo above. This was the old apothecary shop but it now sells hand made soaps, bath powders and curiosities. It's very rare that you find the shop as empty as it was on this day, it's usually jam packed but the rain seemed to have kept many people away from Haworth on this particular Saturday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RH7hHECEn5vIvvufr8s8YWafvlGYHbyK1KHmSKvuAaTTg1Rp7UZ_rKw-QUPm0XXISEwoE7CPKZ-f58t5-kh3dgwRioSWyrKHQ6wPPgDmllgTifiCZaaZvBkVd9Ucoj4qiry1spuz4lO9h94IiwrSSpSAsXiknIcO5w7EeZGM-dmkhAiO92YOFd8d-0U/s800/P1110381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RH7hHECEn5vIvvufr8s8YWafvlGYHbyK1KHmSKvuAaTTg1Rp7UZ_rKw-QUPm0XXISEwoE7CPKZ-f58t5-kh3dgwRioSWyrKHQ6wPPgDmllgTifiCZaaZvBkVd9Ucoj4qiry1spuz4lO9h94IiwrSSpSAsXiknIcO5w7EeZGM-dmkhAiO92YOFd8d-0U/w400-h300/P1110381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was Mick's birthday on the 14th. He took a day off work, we'd decided beforehand that we'd have a trip out to Whitby. When we got up that morning it was pouring with rain but not to be deterred, we set off for the coast. Luckily, the rain stopped as we arrived and it managed to stay dry for the time we were there. The rain began again just as we were leaving. The North York Moors are stunning at this time of year with all the heather in flower but it was not shown off to its best with the rain and mist rolling in. You can just see RAF Fylingdales in the distance. This site monitors the world's airspace and provides a continuous ballistic missile early warning system to the UK and the US.</p><p>We were going to have a meal at a lovely pub we've visited before in Pickering but unfortunately, that wasn't to be. We hadn't booked as it's one of those places where you can just turn up but we discovered that they'd had to close the kitchens as they were short staffed due to illness. We ended up eating at a pub local to home. The birthday celebrations continued the following day when we had another lovely meal out, this time with family.</p><p>I've read three books this month.</p><p>David Copperfield by Charles Dickens.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByE4sbWH6G8Gz_gW4B_PoMiCiWAJG5GbPIpNMlnEgkqG_gcfWYFOa12cPlBRKBYMe3l55g5XVVm7UwM3T5h31SJAZIF3creXX2xYd0sGFSZ2ssEn9mm3Qe9-aWoRgJmg4iYr7yaaJkh3ZZjkVesLT5qetQS5VSoY1sp_B3ZjxEwY8IScpTMi9tAPtRdw/s800/P1110239.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByE4sbWH6G8Gz_gW4B_PoMiCiWAJG5GbPIpNMlnEgkqG_gcfWYFOa12cPlBRKBYMe3l55g5XVVm7UwM3T5h31SJAZIF3creXX2xYd0sGFSZ2ssEn9mm3Qe9-aWoRgJmg4iYr7yaaJkh3ZZjkVesLT5qetQS5VSoY1sp_B3ZjxEwY8IScpTMi9tAPtRdw/w150-h200/P1110239.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><p>"Dickens's epic, exuberant novel is one of the greatest coming-of-age stories in literature. It chronicles David Copperfield's extraordinary journey through life, as he encounters villains, saviours, eccentrics and grotesques, including the wicked Mr Murdstone, stout-hearted Peggotty. formidable Betsey Trotwood, impecunious Micawber and odious Uriah Heep.</p><p>Dickens's great <i>Bildungsroman</i> - based, in part, on his own boyhood, and which he described as a 'favourite child' - is a work filled with life, both comic and tragic."</p><p>After finishing Les Miserables a couple of months ago, I hadn't intended embarking on another long novel again so soon but Charles Dickens is really calling to me after reading a few of his other books over the last year or so. Just shy of a thousand pages, David Copperfield isn't what you'd call a short story but I enjoyed it so much that the pages seemed to turn themselves.</p><p>The books I've read so far by Dickens contain some wonderful characters and David Copperfield is no exception. How I wanted the Murdstones to get their comeuppance, not to mention Uriah Heep. The less favourable characters were balanced out well with the likes of Peggotty and Agnes. This book introduces us to so many unforgettable characters, good and bad.</p><p>I loved Great Expectations when I read it last year but I think my enjoyment of David Copperfield exceeded even that. If you haven't read either of these books, what are you waiting for?</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16HEo86jc-4M345yTAluq8dIbFWIGjD3Rbo_MBB0htTg-urRf3DSMhs74Rn2pniA_CRqyHxYc2YsSv--OLPRS0yXapUnS6OKfGYU8PmhzAHGdsD_LQf4lPblTtZySyroXNqnODL3PK6HnWwP-zZGaQH9s-Uv4ua3OZ3O6HotP_J9m922R2lKit4KK0aQ/s800/P1110242.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16HEo86jc-4M345yTAluq8dIbFWIGjD3Rbo_MBB0htTg-urRf3DSMhs74Rn2pniA_CRqyHxYc2YsSv--OLPRS0yXapUnS6OKfGYU8PmhzAHGdsD_LQf4lPblTtZySyroXNqnODL3PK6HnWwP-zZGaQH9s-Uv4ua3OZ3O6HotP_J9m922R2lKit4KK0aQ/w150-h200/P1110242.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><p>The Testimony of Alys Twist by Suzannah Dunn.</p><p>"Deeply divided England rejoices as Mary Tudor sweeps to power on a tide of populist goodwill. But the people should have been careful what they wished for: Mary's mission is to turn back time to an England of old. Within weeks, there is widespread rebellion in favour of her half-sister, princess Elizabeth, who is everything that Mary isn't.</p><p>Orphan Alys Twist has come a long way - further than she ever dared hope - to work as a laundress at the royal Wardrobe. There she meets Bel, daughter of the queen's tailor, and seems to have arrived at her own happy ending.</p><p>But in a world where appearance is everything, a laundress is in a unique position to see the truth of people's lives. Pressed into service as a spy in the errant princess's household, Alys herself must make a dangerous choice when the princess is arrested."</p><p>I've only begun to enjoy historical fiction in recent years and haven't read that many books in the genre. I enjoy the Tudor period so when I picked up this book, it called out to me. It started off well and though it did keep me wanting to turn the pages, my interest waned a little in the middle. </p><p>The idea behind the story was a good one, I just felt that more could have been made of it. The ending was rushed and the writing a little weak I'm sorry to say.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vrrgB8s0vApuuaeSiW9dx6WunX2fBml6MB-ZTMV-0Ho--laJL79tt24ko6lBhH7tBnKJAQMmLYhze0naDDbD5ltdMuvtXMxl4OHtoyjEGm2emDQubbs_QzZ9oS-8Lhle2tenYo83CpAGrnEuaccZueqKvlZqqY9aP1OFXOKfq6MNjjX2tgJDV_qPir4/s800/P1110245.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vrrgB8s0vApuuaeSiW9dx6WunX2fBml6MB-ZTMV-0Ho--laJL79tt24ko6lBhH7tBnKJAQMmLYhze0naDDbD5ltdMuvtXMxl4OHtoyjEGm2emDQubbs_QzZ9oS-8Lhle2tenYo83CpAGrnEuaccZueqKvlZqqY9aP1OFXOKfq6MNjjX2tgJDV_qPir4/w150-h200/P1110245.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>Celebrations at Thrush Green by Miss Read.<div><br /></div><div>"Although his statue has graced Thrush Green for many years, little is known about Nathaniel Patten until some of his papers are discovered and returned to his native village. As a young missionary, Nathaniel had founded a mission school in Africa, encouraged and guided by the then Rector of Thrush Green, Reverend Octavius Fennel. That was one hundred years ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>The village school, home to so many children in its time, is also in its centenary year, so there is double cause for celebration. Preparations are beset with problems - Winnie Bailey's health, the suitability of the new headmaster, the mission appeal among them - but when the anticipated day arrives, there are more reasons for rejoicing than anyone could have imagined.</div><div><br /></div><div>With this absorbing story of the Cotswold village and its much-loved residents, Miss Read's warm and humorous observation of the drama of country life will captivate her many readers once again."</div><div><br /></div><div>Another book in the Thrush Green series where we catch up with the lives of those living in the village. These books are so easy to read and they hold my interest the whole way though. I love to find out what's happening in the lives of the much loved characters and can't wait now to read the next in the series.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyuFMNjmnO2nMGCLRFKR3yMxCztvNZjpdZ7JNM4G2n1VA_B0BE9t-r4si6VUWIMw_aEQEjAvo5skvuBsTEBtkWuxOF_BF76tXyr74Y_kFZBHXJNW6QQFaqvOWXI2SZxrISTEQT8ScjnapIxv62gWrmx7ghMBPQDmXpjb7Slc6ozRIN3bqfMlWeU5vdSo/s199/Screenshot%20(21).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="147" data-original-width="199" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyuFMNjmnO2nMGCLRFKR3yMxCztvNZjpdZ7JNM4G2n1VA_B0BE9t-r4si6VUWIMw_aEQEjAvo5skvuBsTEBtkWuxOF_BF76tXyr74Y_kFZBHXJNW6QQFaqvOWXI2SZxrISTEQT8ScjnapIxv62gWrmx7ghMBPQDmXpjb7Slc6ozRIN3bqfMlWeU5vdSo/w400-h295/Screenshot%20(21).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We got Archie's pet insurance renewal through this month. Absolute madness! I thought last year's premium of £2258.14 + £15 admin fee was steep enough, this year the premium has increased to £2950.60 + £15 admin fee. Archie is on medication which costs us £74.89 per month, however, we have to pay an excess of £105 and 15% of any claim, so based on this we would expect to recoup £674.58, that's only just short of the amount the premium has increased this year. In the thirteen years we've been insuring Archie, we've paid out £11021.55 in insurance premiums and have claimed back £3888.19. If we'd put that money away instead of paying out for insurance there'd now be £7133.36 in the pot, and that's before this renewal is taken into account. It would definitely make me wonder whether taking out insurance is actually worth it if I were to get another dog. We're still undecided whether to renew or just take our chances. We can't shop around because once a dog is diagnosed with an illness, other insurers won't cover that existing condition, so they've got you over a barrel!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCqC2T573hDihxeohYJ2l9ZHKAsCvPDidSbgFyI0TmJMXQymBGinOoPXa-iUU7TnrVs2AzHpnF1tUnCy6jSPHVi6gI2R1Ba48gefzNze59HZl6UKd16Vthof-ZEf1k1FBPoRoSNGgQa7VRfXI1M-fCBJ_OOIfz_QnjRAobYci_3YxkOKrvlcUGXYFTsM/s800/P1110567.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCqC2T573hDihxeohYJ2l9ZHKAsCvPDidSbgFyI0TmJMXQymBGinOoPXa-iUU7TnrVs2AzHpnF1tUnCy6jSPHVi6gI2R1Ba48gefzNze59HZl6UKd16Vthof-ZEf1k1FBPoRoSNGgQa7VRfXI1M-fCBJ_OOIfz_QnjRAobYci_3YxkOKrvlcUGXYFTsM/w400-h300/P1110567.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Mick had got a week booked off work in the middle of August but cancelled it as the weather was forecast to be rainy. As it turned out, it wasn't too bad so he still took the Monday off, which was his birthday, and also the Friday of that week when, as you'll have seen in my <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/08/its-scarecrow-time-again.html" target="_blank">It's Scarecrow Time Again</a> post, we visited the Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival. We had a full day out again on the Sunday, and he took the following week off work which was followed by the bank holiday. There are more posts to come about what we got up to.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMZ0odEy19hOe0XwrMjDxRgbKYwRpJWjnE0VNKykBQzsbhzcnNwqtwkBw5QAvrG-uhp9UZNqfNqUAUJ3imf1KGE1VwkSVfF6PmN8JwP78gT_ClBFnbcltnOzj8LD5GVYgCLCyEjz1Da0S5Tt9th8hcNf_M5OUZn5HwmRst7L-fJ59PRbD730TTeVUCI8/s800/P1110313.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjMZ0odEy19hOe0XwrMjDxRgbKYwRpJWjnE0VNKykBQzsbhzcnNwqtwkBw5QAvrG-uhp9UZNqfNqUAUJ3imf1KGE1VwkSVfF6PmN8JwP78gT_ClBFnbcltnOzj8LD5GVYgCLCyEjz1Da0S5Tt9th8hcNf_M5OUZn5HwmRst7L-fJ59PRbD730TTeVUCI8/w400-h300/P1110313.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>We needed some new dishcloths knitting so I knitted a few for Jasmine and Daniel while I was at it now that they're in their new house. The basic pattern I usually use is the Grandmother's Favourite Dishcloth pattern, free on Ravelry. I also knit a couple from the Wondrous Dishcloth pattern. This is a double thickness cloth, textured on one side and smooth on the other. The pink and lilac cloths were knit from yarn given to me by my friend Maggie at <a href="http://crossblackcountry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BlackCountry Wench</a> blog for my birthday last year. It was lovely yarn to work with and they're very generous balls, there's lots of yarn left so I'll be able to knit more cloths in each colour.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_LRjHcJ7bFzdVobTzzz7weif1ib19K7h-omZmwnKfPI4LCIHiKCakMSnEpZ7lVxVR1Ib_YHIhvhZ-LPA81s5j-Ltejvvu5gW_YV5IIL51eKIqNjjuVB8eUY0G7f8izKhaLlZ7QGNyDLFt3YFVIdX9W1hGB3Y0_WhNWdrTlM9r_h9qgCzxURYB-omiiY/s800/P1110341.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_LRjHcJ7bFzdVobTzzz7weif1ib19K7h-omZmwnKfPI4LCIHiKCakMSnEpZ7lVxVR1Ib_YHIhvhZ-LPA81s5j-Ltejvvu5gW_YV5IIL51eKIqNjjuVB8eUY0G7f8izKhaLlZ7QGNyDLFt3YFVIdX9W1hGB3Y0_WhNWdrTlM9r_h9qgCzxURYB-omiiY/w400-h300/P1110341.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>When I finished knitting my <a href="http://jo-throughthekeyhole.blogspot.com/2023/07/winnie-pooh-socks.html" target="_blank">Winnie The Pooh Socks</a> I was left with 46g of yarn which I thought would be plenty to knit a pair of shortie socks for Eleanor. Unfortunately, it wasn't. I think, perhaps, some yarn is wasted as you keep changing colour so whereas usually 46g would be plenty to knit a pair of shortie socks, it isn't when you're knitting stripes. I got as far as the toe and was left with just a few tiny scraps which wouldn't even complete one round. Eleanor had a good rummage in my stash and came up with a mini skein which was in last year's charity collaboration yarny advent calendar. It was dyed by The Fibre Fox and is called Fizzy Sherbet. I don't think it looks too out of place on the toe of these socks. Eleanor was very pleased with them anyway. The mini skein was only 10g and after knitting the toe, there was plenty left to add to my scrappy blanket.</div><div><br /></div><div>It ended up being quite a busy August with Mick's holiday and our days out as well as a couple of celebrations. It was Jacob's birthday last weekend but he and Eleanor were having a city break in London so we had a family celebration and meal here after they'd all finished work last night. September should be quieter, even though it's my birthday month.</div><div><br /></div>Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com20