Turn on the dark

December Nov« »Next year

Once returned from work travels I enjoy the Great British railways, cancellations and delays. Not so bad the second time and then there is Christmas staring you in the face with such a short time to prepare. The weather is wet rather than ouright wintery. Things can only get better.

The weather doesn't improve but instead provides a good reason not to go out but some things have to happen; shopping is a must: food, drink and presents.

We are three for the day and a lovley day is had with a great food, presents to go around and entertainment to be had. We count our blessings.

Our neighbour had to be taken into hospital and we do what we little we can. Thankfully, he makes it out for the new year.

November Oct« »Next month

Urgh, dark nights come in early. Early doors me and E are trying to get rid of a cold. David is continuing with his driving lessons. Work is more of a strain than I'd like but the count down continues.

The FA Cup delivers exciement as usual for the lower league teams, including our local one that continues to struggle. Two years ago they were top of League Two, today they are down in 23^rd.

I continue to engage in bits of DIY as the garden starts to take on an autumn look.

My brithday brings a great surprise and some bread making lessons for the family - magic!

Bread Making Fun

October Sep« »Next month

Is the colder weather finally arriving? We do get some temperatures below 10C.

And the storm season kicks in the door with floods and wind dmamage. Our local road is a mess yet again and there are roadworks becuase the council fail to fix it. They have attempted to fix this road so often and utlitmately failed.

Port Vale make the EFL Cup quarter finals for the first time! And FGR win a couple games for a change. Most of us get a cold.

September Aug« »Next month

Back to school for a last time perhaps? And we have a mad heatwave, the temperatures touching 30 degrees for a week. Apples falling. I use my new device for picking the apples from the tree - brilliant. I only had to climb the tree once.

I put up a new shelf in the airing cupboard, slow but I got there. Not perfectly placed but it works.

Did some work on my bicycle so David could use it.

The Tour of Britain comes down our road

August July« »Next month

Wind and rain, another British summer...

See hedgehog in the front garden and more tip trips as we continue our decluttering. Weatherwise a curious summer, no real heatwaves which is fine by me.

We go back to the north Cotswolds for a small break and do the whole tourist bit. Great museum in Bourton, model village more a historical piece than and interesting model. We also went up the tower we remember from Father Brown and do another steam railway.

July June« »Next month

This month brings the reality of the mad weather these days to the foreground. We have rain and wind to good enough to grace any tropical island storm.

We sight a hedgehog in the back garden during the day!

A local visitor!

June May« »Next month

Some hint of summer arrives. We took a quick quick trip to lovely Worcester. The sparrows are busy around the feeders. The nature cams show the hedgehog is still around even if we're a little lax in putting out much by way of food for them. Maybe the grubs and water are enough or the spilt bird food?

Summer!

May Apr« »Next month

Well, are we suffering from Long Covid or is it just cold or stress? Work is keeping us busy.

Definitely a quiet month and the football could have been better, or worse.

April Mar« »Next month

April Fool - COVID is back. My better half goes down with a case as she breaks school for Easter - nice. I get to play at nursemaid for the weekend. After about a week she is pretty much back to a decent health.

We briefly have the hail storm from hell. Easter and I'm back to karate with a bang. Easter games and a bit of rough and tumble. Lovely Easter meal with the full decorations and Easter bunnies galore!

We're getting quite a bit of wildlife in the back garden.

Yes, a brief respite on the coast allows us to enjoy the joys of Wells Next the Sea. We walked along the beach, ate at the fish& chippie, and rode the Light Railway down to the Shrine home. We also dropped by Cromer and rode the electric beach bus. We gazed on the Lamas and smelt the fresh fishy air of the seafront. And all the time the wind blew.

All hail, the hail!

March Feb« »Next month

Well, snow but of no substance in our part of the country. And a fright of more COVID in the house but thankfully just that. (At least so far.) I went down with a bad cold that could have been COVID but actually tested negative.

Instant Karma - win one, lose one. Football never fails to surprise and bring drama to our lives. And that's not mentioning the off the field stuff.

Unfortunately the rooks have worked out how to knock the bird feeders off the pole and spill their contents over the ground. My first efforts to thwart their antics have failed. I have another idea to try. We must win so the little birds can feed in spite of the larger, more intelligent, thugs. I try a new position for the feeders and then move the light one to different level. Some success but not complete yet. I might have to tie them on.

February Jan« »Next month

We missed pancakes but did make a quick trip up north to visit Father. Always good to see the family. His local pub is open again, again serving its generous wholesome fayre.

We also visited a couple of northern coastal towns and enjoyed a wander in the drizzle. We even went on a train across the seas! Well across the bay. Public transport is sometimes the best way to go.

January 2022 « » Next month

Well, the year looks to start with wind and rain but no more snow. Let's hope this new year brings comfort to the many. We start in ernest with a lovely ceremony for the son.

And then we begin again and we all return to our usual occupancies. And all too soon we get some serious snow surprising many and halting some sport.

Work takes on its usual routine.

Proud Parents with the Graduate