Christmas 2016

Lights, Reflections and Cards

Better late than never! I wasn't going to post on Christmas as there is nothing new from previous years except that I have scaled down a little, but then, why not?

Christmas Day our son Peter spent the day with us as usual

After lunch it was the Queens's speech followed by the film Frozen which I enjoyed, never having seen it, while Alan spent about a quarter of it asleep on the sofa! Usually Peter and I play Scrabble on Christmas Day but it was tea time before we knew and it never happened.

and then on Boxing Day daughter Jane, son-in-law Chris and Rebekah and Oliver joined us. I did not have to cook this second Christmas lunch as Jane offered to do it. I was able to be with the Grandchildren.

As usual a visit to the local park was next on the agenda where Oliver managed to join a football game in the ball park, Chris was able to try out his new toy - a drone, while I watched while Rebekah spent her time on the swings, roundabouts and outdoor gym. Alan and Jane decided to stay home and relax.

I love lights, reflections and cards at any time of year but especially at Christmas!

So it's all over for another year - apart from eating up the Christmas cake, mince pies, biscuits etc.

So, wishing all who visit here a very peaceful and blessed New Year.

It's Christmas and Anniversary Time

I have been determined to get a blog post done before Christmas and here I am on Christmas Eve (evening) getting to do that!

It's Christmas and Anniversary time 

This week we celebrated our 57th wedding anniversary

Where did those years go?

With a warm winter so far leaves have taken their time falling from the trees. The lovely Silver Birch has been a bit of a nuisance though as it has been an almost daily clean-up

but some beautiful sunsets and this one some streets away showing the London skyline in a different light

And a beautiful serene atmosphere looking out from church on Sunday morning with a little extra for the children 

We have also just said goodbye to our friends from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who have been staying with us. I just did not get around to taking photos except for a few at our Church Christmas Celebration with Don here in the middle during our Carol singing time. 

I met Don's wife Joyce through blogging about 7 years ago and since that time we have built a close friendship having them stay here and meeting up in London. We have been invited to Louisiana but our long haul travelling days are over!

 No, Alan has not acquired another Grandchild he's holding a friend's little boy!

Our own Grandchildren are growing up.

Oliver, now 10,  with his Mum at his first Shakespeare theatre visit.

Much Ado About Nothing

and Rebekah, whose is big time into Gymnastics, getting ready to do some bar practice at home

She is pleased with herself here as she has managed to get her Mum to cut her hair in different lengths like so many on TV have it these days. Jane says she thinks that she will stick to the day job!

Well I do wish all my blog friends a 

Very Happy Christmas 

and Blessed New Year

Hebden Bridge on the Pennine Way in Yorkshire

Taking you to Hebden Bridge today. This town sits on The Pennine Way The Pennine Way was the first, and is probably now the best-known of all the UK’s National Trails. This long-distance footpath begins in the heart of England, the Peak District, and weaves its way north through the Yorkshire Dales, the Cheviots and onwards to the border with Scotland, forming what is often described as the "spine" of England.

Being born and bred in Lancashire this was a well known place to me in my teenage years.

The town developed in late medieval times as a river crossing and meeting point of pack horse routes.

Textiles have always been important in the area for centuries, but it was not until mechanisation and steam power were introduced from the late 18th century, that Hebden Bridge began to grow significantly.

The arrival of the canal and railway attracted industry to the valley bottoms, but with limited flat land and a growing army of textile workers, dwellings were ingeniously built on the valley sides, giving the town it's characteristic "double decker" housing.  

Local bus stop

There are foot paths with signs like these all across England and when walking on them I have always thought of the generations of folk that have walked on them for centuries, especially when these were the main routes across the countryside.

A dry stone wall falling down - very unusual

The sign Haworth seen here is the town where The Bronte sisters lived

So another virtual walk thanks to son Peter