A Very Lovely Christmas Day

What a stunning morning to wake up to for Christmas Day

The sunrise just got better and better!

The day was just perfect weather wise.

I laid the table the night before.

Just as we were about to eat.

A smaller gathering than usual with just three of us, but feeling blessed that we could still celebrate together as with the advantages of technology we were able to connect with my older son, his wife and my mother in law and her partner.

Delicious food.

My 'traditional' desserts. 

Fresh fruit salad

and pavlova of course - the first time I have ever made one in an AGA!

A late afternoon walk round the village to see the lights and decorations,  the sky greeted us with a beautiful sunset, the beauty of which I didn't manage to fully capture as I just had my pocket camera with me.

The conclusion was our house was the most colourful that we saw.

Hubby had worked hard putting up the lights, and I re-potted the 'Christmas' tree that I had dug up at the top of the garden in preparation for where the new summer house is going to be built next year.

A deluxe version of JRR Tolkein's 'Letters from Father Christmas'.   I have to admit to being a bit disappointed with the size of this, but it is still lovely.

My favourite Christmas gift from my husband, a Robin Rive (Made in NZ) Panda.  

My wedding anniversary gift (from 21st December), a pretty pendant.

I hope everyone else had a lovely Christmas.

 

So that was November!

We have been having some lovely sunrises.

A ladybird in the garden keeping me company while I cut up the vine branches.

Sunday was a beautiful day so I took the dogs to Brook Bay for a walk along the beach.

It was really lovely.

Amazing to see the difference in Percy  compared to when we took him here in July.  

So much happier, healthier and fitter, it is wonderful to see.

It was surprisingly busy though, seems others had the same idea to get out and enjoy the good weather.

A lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

 

A New Month

A day for reflection and calm after my slightly 'angry' day yesterday.  I have decided to try and make myself go for a separate walk from the dogs each day this month despite the pain in my feet.  I have missed my walks, the fresh air and the way the sea breezes 'clear the cobwebs' and sooth the mind. Why without the dogs?  Well little Percy being blind and still getting over the year and half of chemo is still building up his stamina, and to be honest it is so muddy on the walks through the woods and along the coast now that it is really not at all suitable for him, as he can stumble too easily, so I still to the roads and grass for him.  I could take Stanley, but don't like to leave Percy on his own, so I take them on at least one, usually two  walks a day, whether permitting.

It was very grey down at the bay.  The sea was quite noisy, but I knew that anyway as can hear it up at the house.  Surprisingly it was actually fairly mild and with a sweater and a coat on I got a bit too hot.

You couldn't see the hills or cliffs!  The clouds were very low.

A ferry out at sea.

You can just see it in the distance.

A teasel. 

Reedy grasses swaying in the breeze.

Thank you to all who left such kind and supportive comments on my post yesterday.  It is very much appreciated.

 

Blustery Walk.

Come for a walk with me on a blustery afternoon

Through the sun dappled woods.

Down to the bay where the waves come crashing in to the shore

It is high tide 

the waves vary in size, but the noise is pretty loud.  I need to work out how to put a video up on here.

Too high to walk round my normal route.

Back home a little later...

I spy a Jersey Tiger Moth as I went out the back garden.  It was on the ivy on our retaining wall.

I have never seen one of these before.  It is so attractive, and when its wings are open it has red underwings and can be mistaken for a butterfly.

Tuesday Time.

What a really lovely day it has been.  Gorgeous blue sky, and nice and warm, but not too hot.

I've trimmed the clematis that was going a bit wild on the front decking and mowed the front lawn and the first level of the back lawn.  

Although the grass wasn't overly long, and very dry, the weeds were getting rather tall.  It looks so much better now.

The pond is looking colourful with the pretty pink fuchsia flowering behind it. 

The greens are very much reflected in the sunlight today.

The sea looks beautiful .

I went for a walk along the cliff top coastal path.

Love the views up here.  Sea to one side

Fields to the left.

I might try and paint this farm house nestled down in the valley at some stage.