Winter Sea and Sky

The year is drawing to its close, the Winter Solstice has passed and Christmas is following fast on its heels, with all its hustle and bustle - time for a couple of peaceful images from December walks on the prom, sea and sky:

Lego Land

It's been a bit of a 'Lego' year - which of course leaves me with the question of what to do with all the finished models.  

The 'Lighthouse' has its home on the storage chest by the french doors - but 'Rivendell' is a bit more problematic, given both its size, and relative fragility (all those trees).  In the end decided to house it in one of the display cabinets - where it's protected from knocks (and dust!).  

With the addition of some lighting (thanks Martin!), I can still see and enjoy it (although I had to separate it into its sections as it was still slightly too big to fit when connected as a whole).

'Tudor Corner' currently sits at the end of the sofa - but may yet find its way to the same cabinet (just one shelf down).

Then there's the seasonal 'Christmas' display (including the 'Lighthouse' which has been displaced by the Tree) which incorporates the new 'Alpine Lodge' alongside last year's 'Holiday Main Street':

Have to keep an eye on things mind you, as a certain person finds it most amusing to swap things around when I'm not looking:

Rainbow Day

It has been an autumn of rainbows - but this one, just outside our door, was particularly fine . . .

Christmas Starts Here . . .

Time for some Christmas 'bling' methinks . . . 

Have to make the most of it - especially as 'constructing' the tree is a right faff (only exceeded by that of deconstructing it again).  Fair play though, it has done us well, over 20 years of Christmases and hopefully a few more to come!

Posts that Didn't Happen: November 2025

And finally November (after which normal service shall resume!)

Another month of rather mixed weather, so nothing really happened Van-wise (every time we thought of doing something it would start pouring with rain!).  Although we did have at least one rather gorgeous sunset down on the prom:

In other news, I may have overdone it on the Lego - had already indulged in the Christmas Alpine Lodge set (which I'd had my eye on for a while, as an addition to last year's Holiday Main Street), then talked myself into the LOTR Rivendell too.  

(And of course then I saw some other Lego sets I'd been looking at on sale, and the rest is history!)

Life otherwise just pottered along . . .

. . . did a bit of 'work', sorted some stuff for charity / sale online, gave blood, ordered new glasses, participated in an ONS survey (vouchers for which mostly funded the Lego Santa's Sleigh!)   . . . and completed my Rivendell mega-build.

Later in the month, there was the usual trip across country to visit / stay with family, this time with some added dog-sitting for one night.  She was very good, spending most of the time asleep, as she's a bit of an old lady now.  Although she still managed to take us on a nice long woodland walk!

Diverted to Stratford-upon-Avon on the trip home, got to admire the Christmas lights, enjoy an evening out, and a bit of shopping.  Then home again to think about putting up our own Christmas decorations.

Posts that Didn't Happen: October 2025

October was not the best of months weather-wise - but at least I was busy with a bit of consultancy work, while Martin was occupied with constructing cupboard doors for the Van.

In our downtime, Martin was still learning chess, although I'd drifted away from that a bit, having my attention caught by 'miracle' sudoku puzzles instead.

And then there's the Lego . . .  after the Lighthouse in 2023, I indulged in a Christmas themed set in 2024, then in the summer fell in love with the 'Tudor Corner', and seeing it on sale just couldn't resist.

So many an evening has been spent constructing - and enjoying the intricacy and inventiveness of the interiors in particular - just love that cute little loo!

The middle of the month saw us heading back across country in the Van (quite possibly the last Van trip of the year) for another family visit . . .

. . . helped out with shopping etc. (including picking up one of the new  'Geese of March' calendars), and had a very nice family Sunday dinner (meeting up at a half way point between us and family from Suffolk).  

Back home to Wales for a few days then before heading north - dropping off Martin's folks for a visit with family while we had a couple of night's in Chester.

Enjoyed some (occasionally wet) walks around the wall, did a bit of shopping, visited the castle, had a drink or two, and indulged in a very nice curry.

We were slightly intrigued though to find the following messages inscribed in various locations around Chester - at least I knew where my Martin was!

Posts that Didn't Happen: September 2025

 And so to September . . . 

Started the month with a very nice afternoon tea to celebrate a forthcoming retirement - lovely to catch up with lots of old friends from working days.

Was also offered some damsons (it's been a good fruit year), which are now steeping in brand ready for Christmas . . .

. . . something different from our endless apple crop - unfortunately couldn't pass on any in return as they also have loaded apple trees!

So far, we've chopped and frozen and stewed, made apple cakes and crumbles, given some to family, and still have a drawer full in the fridge . . .

Fitted in a solo visit to family across country - not a Van trip this time - helping out with this and that, paperwork and shopping, etc.  While I was away Martin got on with a few Van things, while we continued to debate table legs and fittings.

Back in Wales for the remainder of the month, with work continuing on Project Van and in the garden.  

The 'pantry from hell' was finally finished and fitted, more or less to our satisfaction, and the (hopefully) last hedge cut of the year completed.

In something of a landmark, the Van table was also sorted - with a removable 'island' leg, and the other end supported on the 'windowsill'.  

It really has turned out well - kudos to Martin for all his hard work.

Ended the month with more work in the garden, as Martin dug out and reconstructed the compost heaps.

While he was doing the hard manual labour, I got on with painting the garden shed (hopefully giving it some protection from the wet weather to come):