It’s definitely felt a bit chilly lately hasn’t it?
The car has a film of ice in the morning, the cats think twice before their morning stroll and the daughter grumbles twice as much as we try to prise her from her warm bed to get her to school.
I suppose I enjoy the seasons. Witness the amazing colours of the trees at this time of year.
Truly outstanding.
Other clues of winter’s approach is the massive pile of logs now delivered for the stove, and the boiler man has pronounced that it will be ok for another year. I also become a bit obsessive checking the oil tank level after a nasty experience one Christmas Eve!
Winter, unless it’s really bad weather, doesn’t stop me getting out for a run over the hills near Rothbury, and recently I have managed to get daughter Charlotte out with me. Once we are out she is fine, and it’s good to see that she feels fitter as a result.
On our run we have a really good chat, and I am only too aware that in just a few years she will be off to Uni and be very much her own person. So making the most of these years is crucial.
I was going to tell you about my latest jaunt to London, however a few clients have commented that I seem to be never away from the place and am always talking about it here!
Well, I have to admit it has appeared that way this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed it.
This is part of my goals planning – doing the things you love doing!
I have to confess that I could not resist booking up for another visit to see ‘Yes Prime Minister’ at the Gielgud Theatre in January. The reviews have reduced me to tears and laughter already!
I also recently went in the other direction, to Stirling.
The reason was to meet a fellow Urwin/Irving to talk about genealogy.
I had never been before, and an important part of the journey was to visit The Bannockburn Centre, as the battle here in 1314 is to be featured in my book about The Bruce.
The only problem was that when I rang to ask their opening times, they said sorry we are closed for winter! Oh well, back in the spring then.
Other than that my visit went well, and I even found a pub with real ale, a live band, and the Liverpool game on!
Of course a real sign of the months creeping by is Fireworks night. In this case it stretched over the whole weekend in various ways.
Friday – a party held at a friend’s house. Good food and wine with excellent company, including 3 guys who could play guitar. It ended up as an impromptu karaoke, with me using my I Phone to get the lyrics. Boy was I hoarse the next day!
Saturday – set some rockets off from our garden. Charlotte also enjoyed seeing her Chinese Lantern float off into the sky. It’s easy to see why some folk have mistaken them for a UFO!
Sunday – went to the Funfair at South Shields, which had a fireworks display on. This was the first time I had really felt the cold, as it was held on the beach, with the North Sea wind seeping into your bones. Brrrr!
With the colder weather, there are many more events held inside at various venues, and I attended a charity Quiz Night recently. It was really excellent, raising several hundred pounds and giving around 50 people a good night out.
The only downside is realising how much you don’t know!
