A Neighbourhood Walk

Here the weather has turned very cold and snow is forecast so our travel arrangements to meet up with our son and family somewhere near to where they live in the UK Midlands have been postponed.  We're hoping that the family will come for a visit in the Christmas school holiday instead, but again it depends on the weather.  Our Berkshire daughter is staying home this year because her DiL, Kristie,  and our grandson no 2, Benjamin, will have their baby this month.  

I've started putting out a few small Christmas decorations and the Advent candles were lit for the second Sunday of Advent as we count down to Christmas Day.  The Christmas tree will be decorated next Sunday when our local granddaughter and daughter come and share in the fun and we'll enjoy a Sunday lunch together.

There's also a count down as the Advent calendar windows are opened.  Each window has an illustration of a woodland creature or a group of woodland friends.

Yesterday I went for a walk in the neighbourhood.  Decorated Christmas trees are appearing in the neighbours' windows and other lights are starting to be hung up outside homes.  They'll look pretty when it gets dark.

This is what I saw as I walked around the nearby streets going down hill then up to the higher neighbourhood and then passed the parish church  ............

the bare branches of a row of horse chestnut trees

turkey tail fungi

The yellowing leaves of the sycamore trees are clinging on to branches.

I looked back up the hill and down the hill before turning and climbing some steps to higher ground.

By this time a fine drizzle had started as I passed the parish church before walking down the hill again to get back home.

I'm sure many folk are glad to have logs and a log burning stove in their home.  We rely on gas central heating and we're having to ration the times when we switch on the heating and electrics.  We think of those who are struggling with finances and those folk who are living on the streets because they're homeless.  Food banks are needed more than ever and places to shelter and receive some warmth and help.

I was glad to get home before the rain got really heavy.  Our neighbours have already hung up some decorations so as today is bright and dry I shall be hanging up our artificial wreath on a wall outside near the front door.  

chrysanthemums among the rose bushes in our front garden

Thank you for coming by and for your comments.  I hope your week is going well.

Our Week

There were several medical appointments this week.  We had to walk some of the way so I tend to get fixated by the weather forecast.  Rain, sunny periods, foggy mornings we've had every sort of weather lately.  We rested at the weekend after having our covid booster vaccination on Saturday, but on Monday we went out again as Mr P had an appointment at the city hospital physiotherapy department.  I went with him for a change of scene. Unfortunately the high-rise car park attached to the hospital was closed so we had quite a trek to find a metered parking space on the main road nearby.  Thankfully as we approached the hospital we saw some staff members and asked where to go as we were rather lost.  Coincidentally they were walking back to the physiotherapy department themselves so they put us on the right track for the department we wanted.  From there on the appointment went well as the physiotherapist was pleased with Mr P's progress after his hip operation in 2020 (just before the pandemic caused so much upheaval everywhere).  Another walk was necessary to get back to the car before heading home.

city centre scenes - City hospital, The Children's Hospital, students' football pitch, a new building for the Science Department attached to Firth Court Science Wing.

Firth Court (poster) Firth Court is an Edwardian Grade II listed University of Sheffield building which forms part of the Western Bank Campus.

On Wednesday as well as other errands I walked in the local park, the Walled Garden and took unread books back to the library.  

 

the rose garden

a eucalyptus tree in the rose garden

There are still many grey squirrels scampering around hunting for food.

the library

From the library I walked over to the florist's as I wanted to get a green oasis ring to construct an Advent Wreath.  I love going into a florist's shop as the buckets of flowers are so pretty.  The florist was very helpful when I explained what I wanted.  She found a used ring that could be recycled which I bought for a couple of pounds and the transaction suited both of us.

Here is my Advent Wreath.  I've used greenery from the cypress hedge, artificial holly berries and bought some LED candles.  I shall light a candle on each of the Sundays leading up to Christmas and I'll also light the Advent Candle for the 24 days before Christmas Day (below).  On Christmas Day the Christ Light in the middle of the Advent Wreath will be lit.  

Today the sun is shining and there are blue skies. I'll probably go out for another neighbourhood walk this afternoon.

I hope you're all keeping well.  Thank you for your visit and for your comments each time I post a blog update.

   

A Mid Week Walk in the Park

I didn't feel well after getting the 'flu jab on Tuesday, but a walk in the park and a visit to the library to return a book that was on hold for someone else did me good especially as there's a lot happening in the walled garden.   

It was a gloomy sort of day, but the colourful flowers and changes that are taking place in the different areas of the garden were cheering to see.

There's a new pergola over a place for sitting down in one corner near the rose garden.

The wall that had been rendered and painted orangey-red on one side by the gardeners' quarters has been stripped and built up.  There's a barrier along the path so I shall have to go back and take a closer look.  The volunteers were out in force as usual digging, sweeping up leaves and generally doing garden maintenance work.

There's a new structure in the kitchen garden area and the cosmos, fuschias and other flowers are still in bloom because of the shelter from the high walls.

The shed wall has been decorated with a pretty mural.  Surely the garden will attract all sorts of  creatures especially in the warmer weather.

Work continues on the area around the stable block which is going to be converted into a community hub and refreshment area.  Again there were barriers, but it looks as if there's a ramp for wheelchairs and visitors will be able to access the community facilities from the walled garden or vice versa.

I'm fascinated by the pattern and colours of the trunks of this eucalyptus tree especially where the bark has peeled off and fallen to the ground.

Edmund de Waal's non fiction book has my attention at the moment.  It's rich in descriptions of a house and an era that interests the writer because of personal connections.   It's written in the form of letters to someone he calls 'a friend'.

The Cover Blurb:-

Dear Friend,   As you may have guessed by now I am not in your house by accident.  I know your house rather well.

Count Moise de Camondo lived a few doors away from Edmund de Waal's forebears, the Ephrussi, first encountered in his bestselling memoir The Hare With Amber Eyes.  Like the Ephrussi the Camondos were also targets of anti-semetism.  Camondo created a spectacular house and filled it with the greatest collection of French eighteenth century art for his son to inherit.  But when Nissim was killed in the First World War it became a memorial and, on the Count's death, was bequeathed to France.  The Musee Nissim de Camondo has remained unchanged since 1936.  Edmund de Waal explores the lavish rooms and detailed archives and uncovers new layers to the family story.  In a haunting series of letters he writes to the Count who journeyed from Constantinople and became a French citizen before all that was gained was torn away. 

It's a thought-provoking read.

We haven't really thought too much about Christmas yet, but these Christmas-themed doughnuts were brought to us on Sunday by our granddaughter and boyfriend for us to enjoy with our espresso coffee.  There was one left  in the takeaway box for our daughter M when she came around in the afternoon for a cup of tea.  

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends who celebrate this day!  

An Advent candle will be lit each day until Christmas.  We're looking forward to seeing Daughter D when she comes to stay for our Christmas family gatherings. 

It's something to look forward to next month. 

Thank you for your visit.  Have a lovely weekend!