Snail's Pace

This time between Christmas and New Year is neither one thing or the other. The weather is still below freezing which is quite exciting for a "weather nerd" like me. We might have what is termed a "freezing day" today with the temperature not going above zero. We have not had one of these days for quite some years (will have to look up in my record book if I could find it!). New Years Eve is my son's birthday (what a time to choose) and today is his 40th - so Happy Birthday to Tim.

Cloud, Frost, Sun

We woke up to another dreary cloudy day. I thought "Oh no, not another one". I am an avid weather watcher and all the websites I follow on this subject forecast a sharp frost and clear skies this morning. The temperature was at zero at 8am and cloudy but by 9am the temperature dipped and I thought "Oh good - cloud clearance" Voila - we now have sunshine!

The Christmas Spirit

Ding-dong (doorbell) - standing there with a Christmas grin and a plate of newly baked mince pies was our neighbour. I think he fancies himself in competition with the "Hairy Bakers" (Bikers) as seen on British TV!

Animal Magic

Following from Husband's idea for table decorations we have decided to broaden the theme! Thrush is carrying some Rosemary, Owl - Rosehip, Squirrel a Nut, Robin - Holly, Mouse - Pistachio, Rabbit - Ivy and Hedghog some Rosehips. These will grace our table on Christmas Day! Are we mad or what?

Clever Husband

Well . . . . . . . . he has surprised me and taken me up on my challenge. (See previous post)

Do Not Touch!

Have managed to produce some sort of Christmas decoration ensconced on the kitchen island. However I did not think Husband had noticed - the usual mugs of half-finished tea were deposited in their usual place . . . . . . . . yes, you have guessed it . . . . . . . . .on the kitchen island. Have banned such behaviour and Husband's forfeit is to make a table decoration. I can tell you, this will be worth waiting for (not)!

Compost Creations

I have always liked "patterns" in photos - the frosted leaves in our compost heap caught my eye the other day. Hope the frosty weather comes back - yesterday my rain gauge measured 27mm overnight. The fields were flooded, probably due to their icy crust. Talking of crusts - have eaten too many mince pies today!

This Is A Bit Sad!

Due to downsizing to a new-build house we have no storage space - we have been good and followed builders' instructions not to store anything in the loft (flattening of insulation). So this year our Christmas decoration effort is a very small flatpack tree!!!!!

All you arty-tarty people out there please suggest how I can make a good table decoration out of fruits and leaves. Thanks in advance (hopefully).

Telling Us It Is Christmas Time

This robin flew and fluttered from post to tree to hedgerow keeping us company yesterday on our walk.

Frosty Weather

I do so like frosty crisp weather - I prowl around the garden taking photos with Husband shouting at me to "get off the grass, your footprints will kill it in this frost". Spoilsport!

An Early Christmas Present

Heavy frost this morning when I drew back the bedroom curtains, the temperature was -5C. I was privileged to watch four roe deer prancing around in the field beyond - too late to fetch the camera - so you will just have to believe me!

Getting The Hang Of It

Husband is not a very good DIY-er at the best of times - he would be the first to admit it - so I am not being unkind (am I?).

After one picture fell off the wall about 10 days ago - smashed glass everywhere etc - we thought "Oh Well".

Yesterday evening whilst us old wrinklies were sitting with our feet up watching TV there was an almighty crash in the hall. Another picture had flung itself off the wall.

Husband has spent the morning replacing all picture hooks with "self exploding" screws. Our house has these thin plasterboard walls and we were very careful to use the right picture hooks. We conclude that the house has dried out and the pinholes have enlarged over the past two years. I came home from my usual swim to find Husband had just finished the job so I gave him a pat on the back (then suggested he made us some lunch) (no not really!!!).

Benenden Bollard Bashers

Yesterday Husband and I decided to go to Bath. To achieve this we take a short cut to reach the Park and Ride at Lansdown. At short cut there was a tatty little notice that said "Road Closed for Road Cleaning - 9.30am to 3.30pm". The time was exactly 9.30am. Husband was ready to make huge detour - "No", I said, "It is still 9.30am". With that I jumped out of car and removed bollards - same thing at the end of the short cut. Voila! all done and dusted.


Climbed aboard to Park and Ride Bus and met by chance one of Husband's tennis doubles partners whom I have not met before. She said to me "I gather you went to Benenden". Then ensued a conversation about school etc etc. (I hated the place). She then complained how she had had to reach the Park and Ride area through streams of traffic. I said, in a loud voice, "Oh, I removed the bollards". There was a gasp and titters from many other passengers on the bus who had obviously suffered the same traffic jams.


At Benenden they taught you how to be independent and resourceful (forget about the lessons)!!

Dancer, Prancer, Chancer . . . . . . . . Whatever!

It was the season of good cheer - it was the pub quiz night! The quizmaster was in festive mood and crackers were pulled and funny hats worn - not for us - they might have well been the dunce hats! Husband does not suit hats at all and looked suitably mad. All questions were Christmas related and you would have thought that our team of five wrinklies all over the age of 60 would at least be able to snap our brains into action. Not a bit of it! As usual a lot of the questions were about pop music and films - not our genre I'm afraid.

The quizmaster, due to work commitments, was unable to join in the local panto this year and was sorely missing it - so instead he performed his own "Christmas Carol" at the end of the quiz - all this entertainment for a £1 entry fee - a good community spirit in our village.

Oh well - I am pondering whether to join "The Eggheads"