Saturday 9th December 2017

What a contrast to yesterday. Much milder with a fair amount of sun today.
A day spent at the Padstow Food & Drink Festival, one of the best we have visited. With an event so successful means the downside is so many people about. Brilliant atmosphere however, shame I love food and drink so much! Came away with some rather large game pies, cheese, beer, wine and even a Christmas pudding. All produced in Cornwall.
Plenty of good music, singing, hog roast, Santa run and various demonstrations created a brilliant atmosphere.
Will just add that at mid day we met for coffee with Penny & Ken who by coincidence was also staying in Padstow this weekend. Penny was my neighbor when we were children and the last time we met was at their wedding in 1974. The power of FB brought us together today.

Image 12 - Penny, Elizaberth, Ken and myself.
All other images are of the Padstow Santa Run and Food Festival.

Thursday 7th December 2017

A very wet start for the journey to Cornwall. Heavy rain until Taunton then eased. From Exeter weather changed dramatically, windy but dry and sunny. Arrived in Padstow at 4pm, settled in the bungalow and planning now the itinerary for the next few days.
Eden Project tomorrow including the light and music show tomorrow night. Padstow food festival tomorrow. Polperro on Sunday for the Christmas light display. Monday, not sure.

Wednesday 6th December 2017

Cold day.
Day spent with the cousins for our three monthly get together. Enjoyed a Christmas meal at Mapledurham Golf Course then afternoon tea at June and Sue's house.
Another good day, Cornwall next stop.

Tuesday 5th December 2017

A bit cooler today but comfortable for walking which is what we did a lot today.
A day and night in London. An early start for a visit to Greenwich. This morning enjoyed a good look around Greenwich Market and the maze of side streets. Stopped for lunch at a Nando's restaurant which overlooked the Cutty Sark. Have looked around this magnificent ship on a previous visit but am still in ore with this masterpiece of engineering.
This afternoon spent time admiring the Painted Ceiling, again have seen before. Will be returning during next year as the majority of the ceiling is shrouded in scaffolding as experts work on a conservation project. There is a chance I can join the workman to see and learn of their techniques in conserving this masterpiece. I'm up for that but have to be certain I can manage the steps.
This evening we embarked a boat at Greenwich Pier for a cruise to the London Eye. Once I had Lorna settled in the warmth of the boat I wrapped up and settled on the open top deck. Only three of us braved the biting wind for the duration of the cruise. Captured some beautiful images. The uplighting to the buildings and bridges were magnificent and gave me many chances for some memorable photographs.
Disembarked at the Houses of Parliament. Loved it.
Late evening and time for a coffee at a chocolate bar in Covent Garden before a tour of London's main streets to experience this years Christmas lights.
Late home but well worth it.

Monday 4th December 2017

Mild but overcast day.
In town this morning for electric bits to support the tree lights and falling snow lights I will be connecting later this month.
This afternoon checked out all my trail camera SD cards as not checked for a couple of days. Interesting to see a fox in daylight asleep on my wildflower lawn, was also spotted walking on the decking.
The mouse was also seen, so lucky as cats were not far behind.

Sunday 3rd December 2017

Mild day but overcast most of the day. Stunning sunset with amazing moon/sky images tonight. Next time we will such a large moon will be 2034 apparently.
             Before leaving for a day with Julie and Darren I managed my best photograph yet. Not for quality but for content. A squirrel pushing a shopping 🛒. Will be the cover photograph for my next book.
Day spent with Julie and Darren and enjoying the Panto this afternoon. Finished the day with a meal at a Weatherspoons in Newbury.

Saturday 2nd November 2017

A lot milder and rain late this afternoon.
A day in the garden. Lawns cut for the last time this season. Oak leaves swept from the decking. Still a lot more to fall yet. The oak tree is always the last to lose their leaves.
                 Moth trap packed away for the winter, chances of seeing anything significant is remote. Will restart late February.
Where have all these birds appeared from. Would expect to refill the feeders once a week. Refilled this morning, by late afternoon I had to refill three feeders.
Just lots of goldfinches and blue tits. Also appearing today: a wren, female GSW, Jays, magpies, dunnocks, chaffinches, greenfinches, blackbirds, starlings, pigeons, doves and great tits.
Regular in the night is the fox and mouse. From the monitors a rat has appeared again. Hopefully the local cats will help?