Christmas Eve

Then on Christmas Eve, Danielle's running mate Jackie invited us to hers for a drink and a bite with Kevin and Chris. Had a great time.

Board Game

Friday, friend John invited Rowan and I to play Ticket to Ride with Rachel and Ellie. Good fun, and both Palmour's showed politeness by not winning. Next time ...

Bridge over the river Trent

A Christmas visit in the UK would not be complete without a drizzly visit to the park. Great to be there again, as we crossed the Trent on this impressive suspension footbridge.

Nottingham

Rowan arrived back on Wednesday, next day we were off to see Sarah, Markus and family in Nottingham. Great to be there, all the excitement of imminent Christmas was there for the four children. Having a visit from the hound just added to the spirit.
 

Visitor

Things were going fine until Christmas Day when I woke feeling bad. Spent the day in bed, and had to cancel our visit to see Auntie Alison et al in Stratton Audley. A real shame. 

So here is a catchup on what we had been up to. Friend Robert brought round a Hong Kong couple, who have come to the UK. Frankie is a photographer so we had a lot to chat about. It was freezing last week, as you can probably tell by our attire.

The Bench of Anticipation

When Layla spots a bench she will run ahead to it, and sit like this, suggesting that it would indeed be a good idea for me to have lunch and give her a snack. 

Next to her is the viewing platform on Thorne Moors that shifts the perspective enough to make the run up the steps worthwhile.

Bog News

The peat bogs are getting back up to regular water levels after the summer drought. Good to see. As usual the oak trees are the last to think about losing their leaves.

3

Layla turned three last week. Still essentially a puppy, she is a great companion.

Woodland

Here is that quieter woodland. Stony Cliffe wood in an area of old pit villages and steep wooded valleys. The coal measures lead to an acidic soil that encourages the woodland of mainly oak and birch trees. Great for the dog.

YSP

Back home, I went to Yorkshire Sculpture Park last week. Just walking through on bridleways, it was a beautiful day. There are several giant human sculptures which are pretty good. The whole thing feels a little forced, and I was glad to move on to less developed woods in the area.

Portrait

One man and his dog. Taken by Danielle. No meadows to mow.

 

Frosty

The frost on the trees looked good on Sunday morning. Not a classic, just a record of our morning walk.

Walking

It was great to be walking in the lakes again, although the "sheep are everywhere reality" did lead to more lead-time for Layla than we wanted. She is actually not that bothered about sheep, but it is not a risk you take. What she really likes to chase are deer.

Three Shires

Went to stay at the Three Shires pub in Little Langdale for my birthday. This was my favourite place to go when we had family holidays in the lakes. Mainly because it involved a journey via the Duddon Valley and Wrynose Pass. Getting over Wrynose with a full car was not a given back then, so it made the whole trip a bit of an adventure. 

The pub has been extended and renovated really well, using the local slate. We had a great stay (dog allowed too) marred only slightly by England losing on the Saturday evening.

Snow fell, and with the sun out on Sunday it made for some good shots. This is the old track to Tilberthwaite.

The Birds

In Leeds last week, the crows were gathering like the clouds.

And Another

Someone who had the Elmet book, liked the cover, and came to collect a large framed print of the image. Very pleasing.

Hob Moor Winter

Some people who are in the process of moving into the street bought a trio of photos of Hob Moor in different seasons. This is the winter one.

Sales

Having a nice little swell of photo orders with Christmas coming up. Someone has chosen their favourite photo from the Wolds book to have it in a large framed format. This is the shot, the road to Sledmere.

Leeds Leeds Leeds

Friend Joanna from Leeds and I, both born in December, try and meet up each year at about this time. I have know her since my first year at Liverpool 46 years ago.

This year she is not so well so I went to see her and husband Ashley at their home near Beckets Park, which is where I took this shot as I walked back to get the train from Headingly. It was a good visit.

Rail Travel

Travelling down to that London on the train last weekend. Cup of tea, beautiful day, every changing view. Didn't even think of getting my laptop out.

Cactus

 

The Christmas cactus has been with us for many years. This year it got a little carried away and started flowering at the start of Advent but it is a good effort and could still be around come Christmas Day.