Am I the only one wondering where 2025 went? I know that time flies quicker as we age, but this is getting ridiculous. I feel as if I have only just got everyone's birthday and Christmas presents sorted, and then here we are again. Luckily, we are doing Secret Santa again this year, so (apart from stockings) I only have one present to think about. I've drawn L's partner, V, and, whilst I had a present in mind, Royal Mail seems to have had other ideas, and that particular gift may have to wait until her birthday in June! Luckily, I had a back up plan, which I was able to deliver on our trip to London last weekend. I hope it's okay.
Apart from birthday/Christmas preparations, the last month has seen a few trips out and about, a couple of theatre trips and the finishing of a knitting project that took far longer than it should have done. As it's now the 3rd of December, I am also enjoying my yarny advent calendar from the lovely Barbara. I find a bit of time each day to sit and add another square to my cosy memory blanket; it is an absolute delight. The blanket is also big enough to keep me warm as I knit - a blessing at the moment as our boiler is playing up. According to R, the part will arrive today and all will be well!
Here then are the latest photos, and (as is my norm) some of them need rotating! :O)
A trip to Bath with E. She had worked at the weekend and had a day off in lieu. We met at the Park and Ride and headed in on the bus. It was such a lovely day. Coffee and cake was enjoyed at Nook, followed by a little potter round the shops, then lunch at The Green Rocket.
We spent some time in the Bird and Blend tea shop trying samples and deciding which to buy. E went for pumpkin spice matcha and I plumped for a decaff apple strudel. It is yummy made into a chai latte and I have taken to having a cup as a treat after my swim.
A visit to Ruby's Retro Fair at a local church hall. There was live 50s music and lots of stalls to peruse. R bought a small pewter hip flask which has been an absolute game changer on our walks. A little nip of brandy and a square of dark chocolate go down very nicely thank you - a bit like the chocolate liqueurs you can buy at this time of the year.
Here it is in action on one of our Ridgeway walks:
Our annual Hallowe'en outing to watch a live retelling of horror stories at Arlington Arts Centre. This year it was E.F. Benson's 'Naboth's Vineyard' and 'The Hanging of Alfred Wadham', and M.R. James' 'Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to you, My Lad'.
A herd of deer spotted on a circular walk around Peasemore and Leckhampstead:
A visit to Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming:
A flask of curried parsnip soup:
A cormorant drying its wings in the sunshine:
The Acer Walk:
Another day, another arboretum. This time, Harcourt Arboretum near Oxford:
There were peacocks galore!
Finishing a charity shop jigsaw puzzle. It was quite annoying - not only because the pieces were randomly shaped (eg. some were oval with no projections) but, to add insult to injury, once completed, there were 3 pieces missing!
Finally finishing my Kerr Sweater. It was my first attempt at using 2 colours. I'm quite proud of my neat floats, but the tension is a little tight around the colourwork, even after blocking.
Trying, and failing, to get a decent photo of me wearing it!:
A trip to Hughendon Manor - a Victorian mansion near High Wycombe, which served as the country home of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
The Christmas play by the New Era Company. It was much better than their previous production, with a decent plot and 2 outstanding actors. There is always a certain demographic at their productions. It seemed more pronounced this time - I'm not sure if there was an outing from an old people's home, but the mean age was definitely higher than normal. I think I had a Werther's Original sweet stuck to my shoe at one point!
A trip to London to take L out for a birthday lunch. The Chinese menu was excellent for both vegans and people avoiding gluten - with a little forewarning, tamari was substituted for the soy sauce, and the menu was well marked.
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