DS in Crickhowell

DS in Crickhowell, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We drove up to Brecon yesterday. We had a look around the shops and the great market hall. We called at The Bear for a drink on the way back and saw a beautiful but battered DS pulling out of the car park.... brilliant.
We went round to Pete and Gills new house for some cheese and biscuits in the evening and our neighbours Dean Louise and Joe were there too.

Noels lovely book....The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton

Noels lovely book....The Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Christmas Day in the hall.

Christmas Day in the hall., a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We enjoyed our quiet Christmas Day at home.... a few nice gifts, turkey and crunchy roast potatoes, skyping Mike and seeing everyone gathered round up there, Sloe Gin and chocolates and Downton Abbey.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We had a lovely day in Porthcawl on Boxing Day. We joined a full house at Ann and Roys for some lovely food and a walk on the beach. Two pregnant ladies... three dogs.... two teenagers... and two rounds of Buzz.

The Queen

The Queen, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Christmas card by Iwan

Christmas card by Iwan, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We have received some lovely cards .... this is a favourite designed by our godson Iwan...there are 3 kings but only 2 shown here.
Today we walked to the pub and had a tasty meal. They had put crackers on each table (nice touch) so we smuggled ours out in our rucksack.... you know it is impossible to buy just 2 christmas crackers.... it seems you can only buy them in packs of 10 or 12!!

The Beach Boys - Little Saint Nick

Christmas memories

Christmas 1983, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

I have been thinking about this photo a lot recently.
I remember this Christmas well as we had Tess as a puppy... and I had my Pac Man hand held game which I was a little bit obsessed with! I think Martin had a little snooker table as his main present.
I think it was 1983 or it could have been 1984. It seems like a lifetime ago....but this photo reminds me of my family and Tess and our house in Wigan and how much I still miss them all. x

luminodotで花火

December butterfly joy

December butterfly joy, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Willow

Willow, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We started work on the fencing along the side of the steps in the garden today. We took down the old rotten posts and lovely barbed wire yesterday. We are going for a more attractive post and rail... and eventually we will do the same along the back of the garden. Tidy.
I raked up lots of leaves from the willow tree. Made coffee and took photos of an amazing butterfly that we found hiding in a corner.

Christmas tree decoration

Christmas tree decoration, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Long week

It has been a long and tiring week in work. We are very stretched at the moment and I have been feeling a bit grumpy about it all. I wish I could write about some of the things that happen to me in my job.... some of the situations that occur....some of the things people say and do.

It looks like I am going to have to work 4 days for a while... and when part of the fifth day is taken up with catch up calls and admin then this is looking like a full time job?

I was wondering if this was a good idea as I was sat in a 2 hour traffic jam on my way home on Tuesday (normal journey time is 20 min).

It will mean more money and more holidays but I fear more grey hairs and more worry lines.

River

River, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

We spent most of today on the track ... starting a fire and then burning lots of old twigs and branches and cuttings from a huge shrub we cut down at the front last week. It was a lovely sunny day but cold and the fire kept us warm.

Fire

Fire, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Noel with stubble and books.....

Newscom Image

Settee

Graham and Philippa came up for the afternoon yesterday.... it was nice to meet Philippa and to hear about the house they recently bought and their plans for "doing it up a bit". Graham has passed on to us, a settee he made over 20 years ago. We think it will eventually work well up in the summerhouse. It can be assembled as a 2 seater or a 3 seater and has big red cushions.

I was remembering yesterday some of the times spent with Graham over the years.... our trip to Australia, NYE on Sydney Harbour, going round to meet Rhosyn a couple of days after she was born, meatballs, pigs in blankets and other nice meals, Bigbury and Burgh Island, building decking and summerhouses, bookshops, christenings and parties and various get togethers in various houses.

Shane Williams

Shane Williams, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Chocolate log

Chocolate log, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

I have made a very gooey chocolate log today...a la Delia of course. I used 5 different bowls to mix things in. The rolling part at the end was a challenge.... it looks a bit rustic but very yummy.

Tree shapes

Tree shapes, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.

Tree stats

Tree stats, a photo by Jillian DIxon on Flickr.