Wikipedia's explanation of Burns Night - its a very very old tradition, originating in Scotland, done as a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796), the author of many Scots poems. I’d been dozing in my chair for quite a lot of the afternoon … Continue reading Celebrating Burns Night: A Scottish Tradition

After a two and a half hour drive, a huge ‘John Smiths Todcaster Brewery, and signs for ‘Xscape’ – which seemed to be an indoor ski slope, came before a large ‘Welcome to York’ sign at 12.51pm; and once in the city – the Premier Inn we were booked into became visible, and we tried … Continue reading York’s Best Attractions: From Minster to Chocolate

The notepads of 2025 - I'm on my 20th of the year right now... The chef's all set to dish out the ultimate stuffing! A gold plated human doing the London street performer thing of floating (how it's done, I've never fathomed!) A squirrel (who'd fluffed him or herself up for the weather) came to … Continue reading Decembers top 10

I thought I'd just post a thank you to everyone whose been reading my blog this year! These are this years eighteen notepads (some looking a bit battered after their travels) - being supervised by Graham the Gonk, who emerged from the Christmas decoration box (and was immediately named of course)... ...and enjoy the festive … Continue reading A quick thank you

I tried to very very rapidly tidy my hair up and make myself look presentable, we left just after 11am, and rain started, but was light and didn't last long. At Charlcote 30 minutes later, I started my volunteering shift there with the three usual staff in reception... Christmas music was playing quietly in the … Continue reading Counting Bobbly Hats: Fun moments from charitable volunteering

The iconic face of Big Ben - just after sunset on 8th November (and it made me look up why Big Ben has its name: it's thought to be named after the large man Sir Benjamin Hall, Chief Commissioner of Works at the time the bell was installed - which was 1859). ...and this is … Continue reading Novembers Top 10 Photos

This was a day that, when the car moved, it was 2°C and feeling like-2°c at 10.43am; its milometer hit 33000 at the top of a steep downhill road called Sandy Lane, a nearby river looked high (unsurprisingly – after all the storms with names that have passed by recently); the current design of the … Continue reading Exploring Upton (and getting very cold hands)

Earlier this week, a day trip to London was set off for - and began after 2 hours on a very crowded train: we got off at Euston station in London... ...and there were Terry’s mint chocolate oranges advertised everywhere, it was like a compressed airport terminal due to the numbers of people, and I … Continue reading A little bit of London exploration…

Some seriously impressive knitting fitting this post box - and excellent community commemoration for Remembrance Sunday. Its really hard to believe this church - at the end of a 20th century road - was built in the 15th century! Very pretty Michaelmas daisies - sprouting despite the chill. An ancient recipe for jam rolypoly - … Continue reading My favourite photos from October