Hello 2010

The candles burned, the guests sparkled.  It was a lovely evening spent with friends and before we knew it, the champagne glasses were filled and 2010 was with us.

The following morning some of us set out for a brisk walk in glorious sunshine.  Cheerful greetings of "Happy New Year!" were exchanged with other walkers and it was a good feeling to be able to get out into the fresh air after a (very) late night/early morning.

The sunshine was so warm, the brisk walk so invigorating, it came as quite a surprise to find an altogether different sight just around the corner

As we stood on the opposite side of the valley, looking over towards our place, we made another toast to the New Year with a drop of sloegin which I'd tucked into my pocket together with four shot glasses. 

Here's to 2010!

Where were we?

Oh yes, we were collecting the turkey, weren't we?  Quite a lot has happened since then, I must say.

What once looked like this,

looked like this on Christmas Day.

Today, this was the dreary outlook.

But have we had fun?  You bet!

We kicked off with our traditional Christmas Eve cheese fondue, taking our traditional time-delay photo.  Unbelievably, this year we all managed to make our photo face at the same time.

Then, a huge mystery parcel appeared under the tree.  I was told it was for me!

After opening stockings full of sweets, useful gadgets and interesting bits and pieces, we exchanged presents and shared the cooking duties between us.  Somehow, it was stress-free and actually rather fun.  Whatever happened to those heavy-duty catering responsibilities of old?

Santa had a great selection of books for me this year, together with a new camera and an "everyday" watch.   But of course, I was desperate to learn what was in the big package...

Coffee is served!  (will that be long, short, cappuccino, macchiato or latte?)  Since I'm the coffee drinker in this household, it really is "my" present and a real indulgence, too.  It even grinds the beans, clever thing!

But I completed the Christmas jigsaw alone this year: Edward was busy catching up with his writing and trying hard to read all five books of a series he found on Mark's shelf.  We took him back up to London on Monday and he's spent a couple of short days in the office, dealing with the deluge of emails which have accumulated over the few days he's been away.  He's also had chance to initiate his Christmas present today - I guess the days of the big Lego kit are long gone!

We prepare for a houseful of friends for the next few days by making ballet shoes soaking butterbeans!

With every good wish for a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

Waitrose, Stroud, 8am

Plenty of turkey for all!

No, she wasn't really buying them all but packing them for customers to collect later.  It's a crisp and very icy morning here but we've been there, got the bird and can now settle in until the ice and snow has gone.

With all good wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous and Peaceful New Year.

Yet, in the dark streets shineth

Looking out of the window just now, I simply had to take a photograph of the inky blue sky.  The moon was there in a classic shape with (I think) Venus shining nearby.

Lovely.

Sights like these almost always provoke a memory; this time, one of a conversation between a five or six year old Edward and his Grandma as they walked home from, I think, Hull Fair. Mark and I walked close behind them, within earshot of their conversation. 

The sky was of a similar colour, the moon shining brightly and the single spot of light sufficient to prompt comment from my Mum,

"Oh, look at that beautiful star, Edward"

"Well, Grandma, it's not really a star you know, it's a planet.  I think it's Venus"

Result, one speechless Grandma who never made the same mistake again - and of course, one of those family sayings which gets trotted out whenever there's a single star (or planet) in the sky, whether it be Mars, Venus or whatever, because we are really not known for our astronomical knowledge however much we boggle at the night sky on evenings like these.

Not to mention the fond memory of one small boy - soon to be 25 - and his devoted Grandma, who we miss especially at this time of the year.

Come for another walk, part two

Refreshed?  Rested?  Off we go again.

The next part of our route takes us through Exchange Square, amongst the busy office workers to Liverpool Street Station, from where we could catch a bus and save our feet for another day.

I'm not sure if station buildings have always been so fascinating or whether the refurbished St Pancras has simply raised my awareness, but I thought Liverpool Street Station was looking particularly good this afternoon.  What do you think?

We were headed for the National Portrait Gallery, to see art we knew and loved and perhaps encounter one or two new people?

Sure enough, there was an interesting photographic portrait competition on show, with images to admire and to provoke conversation.  We also rather enjoyed the Twiggy portraits, admiring how beautiful she remains!

Feeling a little weary, we settled into the Portraits cafe on the top floor of the gallery, for  a restorative cup of tea and watched the sun go down over the city.  There, far in the distance, we could see Westminster, where, we hoped, Edward would be gathering his things together in preparation to meet us for dinner.

Down in the Square, we stood and listened for a short time to a somewhat dishevelled group sing a few carols by the Christmas tree, then set off, past the Bear in the Square to walk and build up our appetite for dinner. 

Window shopping around Jermyn Street and Bond Street wasn't quite in the same league as Fifth Avenue but we enjoyed the visual feast nevertheless.

We particularly liked the Christmas lights in the streets around here this year, all on a similar theme of white shapes.  Here in Albemarle Street, the icicles are fun in a drippy sort of way, whilst over in Oxford Street, there are umbrellas to deal with that.

Dinner at The Albemarle was terrific.  The food and the company were so good that we totally forgot to look at the artwork!  We'll just have to go again...