Our Week Mid December 2022

As you can see the snow hasn't melted in our garden (photos taken early this morning), but the sun is strong and there are blue skies instead of clouds laden with the icy, white stuff).  It's still very cold so we're thankful for the central heating system.

We've had our visitors (grandson no 3 and his partner) who came to stay before travelling on to the other grandmother who lives further north in the city of York.  The motorways and even the side roads in our region seem to be passable, but there's snow on higher ground especially on the moors.

Yesterday Sam drove us to Low Bradfield which is not far from where we live.  We had a warm drink in the Schoolrooms Café before going to the nearest pub situated on flat ground which was a short walk away.  We had a sandwich lunch before driving back home.  By the time we arrived at our house it was getting dark and we said our goodbyes before the couple went on to York.

Agden Beck, Low Bradfield

A village resident who has the responsibility for looking after the various types of duck that swim in Agden Beck arrived to feed them.  They mainly stay in the walled compound and they're a well known attraction.

St Nicholas' Parish Church, High Bradfield

The former village schoolroom building is now a café and gift shop.

the parish council offices

outside the village pub

We had lunch in the cosy pub.

sunset by Agden Beck

The Schoolrooms Café again

We're hoping that the couple will be able to come and join us and our local family for lunch on Sunday on their way back down to Berkshire.  It'll depend on the weather, of course.  

Thank you for your comments left on my last blog post and for your visit here.  There's still plenty to do in preparation for Christmas.  Thank you for coming by.

Having a Good Time Whatever the Weather

This is the scene we were hoping for on Saturday as we prepared for a socially distanced family gathering and bbq.  Daughter D and I did the preparation, roasting vegetables in the oven, putting vegetables on wooden skewers for my other daughter, who doesn't eat meat, to put on the bbq. Unfortunately Mr P had to set up the bbq in the garage and we ended up in the shelter of the covered yard when it started to rain heavily.  Nevertheless, we had fun.  Nothing can dampen our outlook on life when there are opportunities to be together with our family. 

Daughter M brought over marshmallows as she knows that her sister enjoys them. It was also an opportunity to catch up on birthdays, exchange small gifts and drink a glass of Prosecco Spumante wine with our pavlova and raspberry dessert.

It's getting a lot colder now.  The new chrysanthemums that Mr P grew and planted around the flower borders add colour in the garden. 

Our daughter D has gone home now and is preparing to start back to her work in the challenging environment of the classroom with her 'small group bubble' of infant children.  Guidelines have changed once again because of new government criteria since her last zoom conference with other members of staff that took place before the holiday period. Now more discussion and preparation has to happen before the children return to the classroom.  I'm thankful that D was able to be with us for a while despite the long drive up north and back home again with the chance to sit and relax or go out for a change of scene when the weather was good.

One evening we went to a favourite spot in Low Bradfield and saw our friendly village ducks again. I'll share the rest of our time there another day.

Have a good day.  It's a Bank Holiday Monday here.  Wherever you are I hope that you have a good day and a peaceful week.