Some December Musings

So thankful that the snow has cleared. Going to be dull and damp through Christmas but at least travelling will not be a problem like it is when it is snowing.

Some people wonder why everything comes to a standstill when it snows in this country - we don't have it often enough (well here in the South anyhow) for it to be viable to have lots of snow ploughs and equipment. 

I was surprised to find that I had peeled a twin banana last week

very unusual

I thought I was all ready to serve dinner to friends recently

when I realised the chicken breasts where still in the fridge!

I usually prepare them just before cooking but this time prepared them earlier and put them in the fridge

I hate to keep guests waiting but that's how it turned out! 

Such different December sunsets on two consecutive evenings. 

Had to share this! My daughter walked 62 plus miles over 2 days this Autumn along one of England's 

Ridgeways. A Ridgeway being an ancient trackway described as one of Britain's oldest roads. The term originated in Anglo-Saxon times 410 to 1066 and they run along high ridges of hills.

It was well organised. The group stayed and ate together in a hotel the night before and camped over the middle night.

Seen here with our grand children Oliver and Rebekah at the finish.

Well done Jane  

A few Saturday's ago my neighbour held a charity cake sale.

All of these cakes were made by her Sister-in-law and they were delicious.

Yes I bought enough to freeze as well as eat that weekend!

Well I am sure I have gone on long enough so I'll take this opportunity to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas and a Blessed year to come. 

Married 58 years Today, 19th December!

Lustleigh in Devon where we spent our Honeymoon

A somewhat faded pen drawing of the village but I love it and have it framed above my desk

Thank you Alan for being such a good husband through all those years. May there be many more!

I Think it is Christmas! At home and at Church.

The Robins came home to roost

I love the reflections

Christmas Celebration at Church

A time of worship, lots to eat and then carols with our community

Some of the children made the hangings on the left

Aren't I brave! 

There are lots of children but I don't know where they were when I was taking these photos!

Almost 50 Years since I got to See or Talk to my Brother

What fun this was - an hour talking to my youngest brother (he is 13 years younger than me) Stephen in Melbourne, Australia. 

It was strange as hard to recognise even a brother after almost 50 years.

Emotional too, as when Stephen was 11 years old we brought him down to London, from Liverpool (my childhood city) for a while because our Mother was recovering from surgery, our Father had memory loss and was found wandering in Manchester quite some miles away and our Grandmother had broken her leg.

We were living among a Jewish community in North West London in a bed sitting room at the time and our Jewish friends were so kind to us. They took Stephen into their Jewish school and were very generous towards him.

I was the Akela of their Cub Pack at the time.

Stephen photographed by my nephew as we connect on

 Face time. Apparently it was 45degrees there.

Stephen here as an 8 year old at my wedding, along with my 2 other younger brothers. Kenneth on the left also went to live in Australia and I did not see him either and he died 28 years ago.

I'm in touch with 1 of his sons through Facebook.

Kenneth on the left and Geoffrey on the right (who lives in this country) both developed Muscular Dystrophy.

The connection with Stephen a couple of weeks ago was arranged by my nephew, his eldest son, who I have recently connected  with through Facebook. 

My found that my brother Stephen had 3 sons and a daughter so that is 3 nephews and a niece for me.

From that family alone I have 5 great nieces and 6 great nephews. 

(To the right of the photo is our Mother)

I certainly have a much larger family in Australia than over here!