60 Not Out

Well half way through the calibrations n still on my feet – just :)

All started @ Julie’s family gathering in Guilsborough for the first public announcement. 

Onto The firms Christmas do and last farewell drinks. Everyone scrubbed up well :)

Sis arrived Monday, unfortunately Marion had just flown out to complete a contract in Armenia – you can’t always time these things. Were sitting under freezing snow atm and just hoping she will manage to get back for Christmas :-/ 

 

I was whisked off to the Metrop for the day itself, well two days actually, of precision timed events and surprises along the way. Took in a festive Covent Garden then off for the most amazing Thames cruise + lunch on the Bateau, it was magnificent – just the best! 

  

Carols in Trafalgar Square then off on a manic taxi drive to My Old Dutch Pancake House which hosted the surprise entrance of Alx – pancakes of all sizes all round :-p 

The evening was spent in the company of War Horses – truly unbelievable. Within minutes of appearing the horses took on personalities of their own and the show stealer was a goose on a wheel, honest, if you get a chance if it goes on tour go and see it.

After breckie in the park (St James) the war theme continued with a trip round the War Cabinet rooms. A real insight and a place we had never visited before. 

Then the Duck. M and I had experienced the one in Toronto but never managed to get on the London one. A 70 year old solid mass (no, not me) built to carry troops onto the beeches still starting first time driven both through the London traffic and into the Thames (via the MI6 slipway).

Couldn’t leave without the annual trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Gently strolling through main street when a passer bye said ‘strange who you meet here’ cousin Judith all the way down from Nuneaton, together with daughter Alx, what a surprise. The heavens opened so had to duck into the German beer tent and down some hot mulled wine :-p

Were due to travel north today back up to Carlisle via Fox’s Covert but got snowed in! So a day recharging the batteries before the eventual great trek north for Christmas, trip back to Tewks for Kathryn n Waynes weddy then onto Chelt for the New Years bash.

It’s hectic (but exciting) being a retired pensioner. What is it they always said – how did I ever have time to work!

5-4-3-2-1

It's started, the big count down :-/ Finished work Friday, loadsa good byes followed by a bash at D-fly Cheltenham. The big day is Wednesday but, hey, been done outa my bus pass. The Gvt have brought in a new formula n I don't qualify 'till Sept 2011 - how unfair is that!

Another Westonburt Autumn

   
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Marilyn Gains Her Wings

Click here to take a flight :)

A belated christmas pressie was cashed in on the bank holiday - a flight in a Tiger Moth from Coombe Abbas arodrome near Shaftsbury. Beautiful blue skies as M took to the air in full Biggles outfit.

Then followed by a 60's evening @ the camp site.

Tolpuddle 2010

Seems to grow each year, with a refreshing number of young people there this year. Has been a nostalgia trip previously but takes on a new meaning in the current political/economic climate. Maybe trades unionists will take to the streets again in support of their rights and their members living standards. Unity is, indeed, still strength!

Unison, with their marching drummers, rivaled the RMT, and their brass band, for the largest contingents in the traditional Sunday march through Tolpuddle. Many were the TU banners.

New Forest

Had a triffic weekend in and around the New Forest. Exbury Gardens are well worth a visit.

including a trip on a real scale model steam railway with a most entertaining guard :)

Followed by a v long walk along a v shingle beach to a remarkable fort. Erected by Henry VIII and restored as a sea defence during the world wars.

Along the way, on the landward side of the chesil beach were a number of people partaking in a cross between wind surfing and para gliding. The speeds they reached were amazing as was the hight they achieved once leaving the surface - to twist and turn before landing again on the water.

The fort, once you reached it, was well worth the visit. Including a trip to the little tea shop for a well earned cuppa :-p At one point the fort seems so close to the Isle of Wight you feel you could almost touch it - well at least swim to it, had you not had a cup of tea n a v large slice of cake :)

Torbay

Had to travel to Torquay so we decided to make a weekend of it. Well impressed.

Summer @ Last

 

         and the garden looks wonderful.

We've had a new arrival :)

An Elephant Hawk Moth.

'aint nature a wonderful thing!

Sue's Wedding

An amazing backdrop for a wedding - Painswick Rococo Gardens and the follies therein. It was quite a pull up the hill from the lake but Sue made it :)

... and 30 years on, as with fine wine ;)

Mary (left), Marilyn (centre), Sue (right) - then and now.

Wild Daffs

Harbinger of Spring

Colesbourne Park is undoubtedly one of the best places to see early, and varied, snowdrops in profusion. The collection at the park was started by John Elwis at the turn of the last centuary - he even found a unique specie in Turkey in 1874 which is now named after him, Galanthus elwesii. Now his great grandson Henry, his wife Carolyn together with Dr John Grimshaw tend to, and develop, the collection. Colesbourne now boasts over 160 varieties of snowdrop.

Early spring colours are unbeatable. Soon be daffodile time :)

Spring Has (almost) Sprung

Chew Valley Lake

A wonderful walk on a rare beautiful day when even at the end of January spring seemed to be in the air.

With the lake still part frozen a group of snowdrops were blooming merrily amongst the undergrowth. Here @ home Gloucestershire is home to the national collection of snowdrops - Marilyn and I visit each year to look and marvel at the amazing variety of snow white teardrops..

Even in winter natures colours can be quite spectacular:

Let it snow

Let it snow

Let it snow

Happy New Year 2010

Cheers n a merry crimble from us all






Just what you need. Marion's pressie to Jean. It may look like a big cuddly doggie but it's actually a hot water bottle - just what you need in current day arctic Britain!









After the trip North it was down to London for a theatrical break. Starting with Dick Barton @ the Croydon Warehouse - the theatre in the attic.

Sister Act @ the Palladium. What energy - Patina Miller is just amazin, n Shiela Hancock put in a good performance too. The casting was excellent.


Then on to Glen Miller @ the Barbican for some of the best swing music ever.

Didn't make the fireworks. Standing in sub zero temperatures hemmed in by seething masses - not us, warm hotel room, bottle of champers n saw it on the telly :)







But did get to Winter Wonderland on New Years Day. A Hyde Park extraveganza complete with singing Moose -







What a finale!