Thanks for the info, Andy. We leave tomorrow, Christmas day, very early. Sitting out on the deck having breakfast this morning, whilst gazing at the hills, Mrs NZ expressed a desire to go the the Coach and Horses on the Green at Croxley, where I used to go for very underage drinking. She also wants to go to Whippendell Woods as she likes ancient woodland. We have a Darth Vader mask with us so when we can go to the bit in the woods that was the site of the Ancient Ruins of Naboo we can get into the spirit of the place.
Afternoon all. Grey with some showers, but due to dry up shortly, and Christmas day should be fine. Went on the hunt for a sprig of holly with some berries on it earlier, but all the known locations had leaves, but no berries. Some of the plants have been mangled by the council hedge cutters, and I think that the birds could have had some. They seem to be rather like fruit trees that have lots one year, and none the next. Enjoy your Christmas Eve everyone.
Families arrive for Xmas eve repaste and games in an hour.... YIkes!!!! We are all going to look at the local woodland Xmas lights walk... . and then mme has made a selection of pies for the famille... I am 'in charge of' drinks and a complex pass the parcel game with layers for either a male female or child...and i have to 'manage' the music so the right people in ....interesting debate about what one very butch inlaw will make of some of the ladies prizes but... hey ...ho..... Mme has decided on bingo crackers...I am not sure how a mixed group 4-80 will manage.... but Mme is keen Enjoy!
Morning all. Grey, but dry, so the visitors have gone for a run. Yesterday, Mme visited the fields for the first time in a year, so the new hip is doing well. My son-in-law was eying up some of the dead wood that needs coming out, and telling us about the signs in ash trees that they are infected with die back. It is a wind bourne disease, and there is no known cure for it as yet. Still, logs for the fire will come from it. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Life is odd with visitors here. All normal routines are gone, however jobs are getting done, things I have been putting off. The wind brought down a part of the gutter on the barn, now reinstated. The wisteria that was running rampant has been cut back, all while I was watching football. I wonder what will happen while I am at the physio with Mme? Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Bright and dry, and mild for the time of year. Thank you for your good wishes, Yorkie. I am having an easy day, with a birthday tea being provided by my daughter who lives in France. There was a report in the press of a lady living alone quite happily at the age of 106, so I have some way to go before I catch her up. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Sunshine and showers today, so a trip to the supermarket before the hoards descend to stock up for a weekend of celebration. Boxes of shell food will be there aplenty, something that doesn't appeal in this household, but is very popular. I am hoping that some special offers on Bordeaux are still available, as it has been very good. Enjoy your day.
Morning all. Wet and windy again, so work on increasing my log store has come to a halt. Daughter and other half came shopping yesterday and filled their trolley with items to take home next week, that were either cheaper or unseen in their local stores. Having spent €120 on all these items, I reflected on how much the tourist industry must be worth. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. What a start to a new year. 1st January, and the temperature is expected to reach 18°C. This is not normal. The street lights that stay on all night for New Year, didn't. To save electricity, they go off at 9 pm now rather than 10 pm, and despite the occasion, they went off at the earlier hour. Along with family, we celebrated New Year twice, with those in Paris, then in London. The empties are growing, so a visit to the bottle bank will soon be required. Have a good day everyone.
Morning all. Sunshine and showers are slowing the work taking place down the field. A large oak fell during a windy spell the other night, blocking access to the field from one end of the green lane. It seems that it had some disease particular to oaks, which is probably why several have fallen in the field. My expert says they have been dead for years, so do not need storing before using as logs on the fire. Access is now clear again, and I have a pile of logs. Have a good day everyone.
