Just when we thought that our
walking season had come to an end the sky went blue and the sun came out, so on
the 4th we set off to Draycott. Why Draycott you may ask. Apparently
the charity shops are not worth visiting (Sadly we can testify to some truth of
this as there was only one and that was on two sites.) The reason for the visit
was Irene’s manicure session. She was still using her birthday vouchers.
We arrived early for the
appointment and parked in the village square, visited a charity shop, walked
down the street and marvelled at the church building. In the beauty parlour we
both enjoyed the free coffee and I tried the various sweets while the nail
process went on. From the shop we walked down to the ‘Courtyard’ to enjoy more
coffee and mince pies.
The walk was almost the next thing on the agenda. Part way along we parked alongside the River Derwent and went on the embankment which was too muddy to go far. A little further on we came to the church of St Chad’s in the hamlet of Wilne. The only building that I could see in the hamlet (Courtesy of Google Earth) was the church. We parked in the car park opposite facing St Chad’s Water, where we had our picnic before making the fairly short walk around the blue water of the ‘Water’. Despite the lateness of the year the golden colours of autumn were still in evidence.
On the 5th Joni and Fiona had their Christmas party. Something like forty people had been invited. The highlight of the evening was bauble making. There were lots of polystyrene balls and stuff to stick on, or paint on. There were some beautiful creations, as you would expect from such a group. It was a great evening, but Irene and I left the young folks to enjoy themselves. (See Facebook entry concerning a weird entry about Fiona and Joni. Don't be fooled by it. Do not take Facebook seriously is the lesson.)
On the 7th we made one
of our regular trips to Milton Keynes. We were told that there was a winter
wonderland event in Campbell Park. (Campbell Park is the central park of the
city and named after its founding father.) However, when we were able to park,
the only event seemed to be cross-country athletics. Again it was bright sun
and autumn colours.
There was a spectacular sunset on
the following day. There were beautiful swirls of colour. The event was witnessed very widely.
The last Monday cafés followed.
There were few people at the morning one and we said our goodbyes to Marie and
Lorentz as she left to await the delivery of her third child sometime in January.
In the afternoon we had our ‘Mince Pies and Carols’ event at Leicester House.
However, we had to supply an alternative to the traditional pies as even some
of the oldies do not appreciate them.
Once more we were in Milton Keynes, where we spent a happy time with the girls around the Christmas tree. At this
time the family were awaiting news about Isla’s mum, who was ill in hospital.
On Monday 22nd we were
mostly ready for Christmas and took the chance of a short walk to blow off the
cobwebs. Throughout the Christmas weeks the weather was very unsettled, with
damaging storms crossing the country on a regular basis. Many people in the
south experienced flooding and some thousands of people were without
electricity for days over Christmas. Irene’s brother Martin spent Christmas day
in a hotel at bl…dy Gatwick. (See my diary entry for summer 2005) Their delay
was due to a power failure.
Christmas for Irene and I was set
to be different. On Christmas Eve we met up with our friends, Paul and Mary, to
walk with them to St Giles church in Sandiacre. The Christingle service was
well attended and very atmospheric, despite the number of children in this
beautiful old church. The vicar was very creative and had written a song, to
the tune of ‘Jingle Bells’, to celebrate the re-installing of the bells, which
had been restored after being away for some seven years.
After this we walked back through
the town to Paul and Mary’s house, where we were served a splendid meal. The starter
was magnificent and would have been a meal on its own.
Irene and I then had a quiet
evening at home.
Continuing the ‘very different’
Christmas theme came Christmas morning. For the second time, we opened our presents
alone. This Christmas was different, because Joni and Fiona came to join us for
dinner and more present opening. I suppose that last year was stranger, because
we actually left the house at Christmas for the first time in over 40 years; firstly to see
our friend Margaret in her nursing home and to have dinner with Joni and Fiona
and her friends and family in their home at Margaret Avenue.
In the evening, once more alone,
Irene and I enjoyed a good evening playing our new train game. If I have any
resolution to make this year, it will be to win the game a few times.
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| All the boys got a Chartbuster game |
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| The Christmas Wave |
We continued to enjoy our time
together. The weather was not particularly good and so, apart from playing the
train game, we spent time model making. Irene was engrossed making coal bunkers
and a lawn mower, while I set out to put lighting in the coaches.
Sadly, Isla’s mother had died on
23rd and we were asked to look after the children while Tim went with
her to make the necessary arrangements. On Sunday we went down to Milton Keynes.
Joni and Fiona met us at Nan’s nursing home and then the four of us went into
the city for lunch in Weatherspoons. They stayed on to do some shopping and we
went over to Tim’s house. In the evening Tim and Isla left for Maidstone. On
Monday we spent a nice day with the girls before Tim and Isla returned in the
evening.
We left there on New Years Eve to
arrive home to a hand written missal from our plumber friend’s dad. About two
weeks ago, a leaking boiler had been diagnosed. Having got thoroughly fed up of
water all over the place in the garage, radiators not fully hot and increasing
uncertainty about the boiler we had called in the expert. He had managed to
stop the leak. However, he had left us with no hot water. After a considerable
time of pushing buttons in different orders he left with no progress. We await
a solution in the new year.
The New Year celebrations began
at 6.30 pm. I went over to help set up for the dance, but was soon back to
solder a lead to the large reflecting ball. Mission accomplished I returned and
continued with other tasks. As predicted, almost one hour early, the first of the
revellers arrived. Our friends Paul and Mary joined us and the evening got under way at 8.00 pm. It was an enjoyable time. The food went well. David (the chairman)
put on a good dance and on the chimes of midnight we joined with most of the UK
in the traditional welcoming in of the new year.
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| Trifle, courtesy of a guest |
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| The last supper of 2013 |
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| Blackpool Belle - line dance time |
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| Irene and Mary - sequence dancing |
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