Month: December 2024

Goodbye 2024 – 31 December 2024

Posted on by Zogman

A bit wet and windy for the last day in 2024.

The morning was devoted to cleaning up the dining room table and it did look better for a while before I messed it up again, but I did get two of my three targets on my To Do list ticks off and another one partially ticked off. It’s an on going list of shortcuts to use in Lightroom.

It wasn’t a day for going out anywhere, even if it was the last day of 2024, but of course I managed an hour out in the park, because that’s what I do. Managed to get two half decent photos, one of which with a bit of jiggery pokery became PoD. It’s a view down that path I’m addicted to. This time it’s sepia toned with a couple of spots of colour to catch the eye.

I bumped into an old friend from school in the park and we walked around St Mo’s discussing the world and our various aches and pains. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her and I thought she was looking a lot older – she probably thought the same of me. We said our goodbyes as the light was failing, she headed back to the park to walk her dog and I plodded off home. Hope you get better soon Susan.

Dinner tonight was a pizza from M&S that was getting near its use by date, but a tin of anchovies on it cheered it up nicely.

I think that is as much as I’m going to do tonight. I might read another chapter of the book Hazy gave me. Really enjoying it H. You always pick such good books. Strange, but interesting too.

We might treat ourselves to a glass of something to see in the bells. I pity the poor folk in Edinburgh who have had their fireworks display cancelled at the last minute because of the high winds and torrential rain that’s predicted for tonight. Or the Australian couple we met on that ill fated train on Friday who were going to Edinburgh hoping to travel to Inverness for “The Bells”. Hope you managed to get there in all the snow, rain, thunder and gusty winds.

That’s about it for now. Hope all our lot and anyone else who reads my ramblings are well and have a Happy and Healthy New Year.

 

Sweeties – 30 December 2024

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A day of blog writing and posting as well as Flickr posting, but almost up to date now … I hope!

Another windy day with bins blown over and rain lashing the windows. Definitely not a for going out anywhere. That’s probably why I sacrificed it to the great god Catch-Up. Four photos posted on Flickr and about the same number of blogs written and posted.

Because of the weather, it was a still life photo for today. A tub of Jelly Beans produced the subject and a small sherry glass was the support. Lighting was courtesy of a small COB (Chip On Board) light. An old piece of velvet covered the parts I didn’t want anyone to see and eight photos and just over half an hour later I had today’s PoD. I actually like it.

Scamp and I had Chicken and Pea Traybake for dinner. A very easy dinner that works well, because everything is cooked in the oven with minimal fuss.

In the late afternoon the wind died away and so did the rain, although more rain is predicted for tomorrow, but thankfully the snow warning has been removed for our area.

We watched a woeful special Christmas episode of Death in Paradise. I could just hear Simonne cringing at the accents.

Maybe we’ll get out for a walk tomorrow, just because it’s the last day of 2024.

Blustery day – 29 December 2024

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A windy day with quite fierce gusts.

Scamp was feeling better today. I don’t know what it was that caused all the bother, but it did seem to take the feet from her. Hopefully she’s on the mend now.

We walked down to M&S in the afternoon. Scamp got some Kimchi and a tub of Kefir yoghurt, both of which seem to be good for gut health. On the way back I carried the bag halfway home and Scamp took it the rest while I went for a walk in the gusty wind over St Mo’s and got a photo of a little mushroom. That made PoD.

We watched a complicated and almost totally unbelievable first of two episodes of The Split, a series we’d watched for the last two years. This one however felt just a little bit fake. We may watch episode 2 tomorrow.

Spoke to Jamie in the evening and did our best to explain the chaos that was Friday. Hopefully we never have another day like that again. He agrees that we need to write a letter of complaint to LNER.

Another recovery day today, but snow forecast for Wednesday.

A day to recover – 28 December 2024

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We had earmarked today as a day to recover and that’s what we did.

The furthest we got on Saturday was a visit to Tesco for the messages. Nothing fancy, just restocking the fridge, freezer and the storage cabinets. It was a dull wet day and neither of us wanted to very much.

In the afternoon, we managed to organise Scamp’s photos into some semblance of order sorted by date. I hate PCs!

Scamp is still not fully recovered from the bug she picked up, but hopefully a day or two of Scottish air will sort her out.

PoD was a wee bluetit building up its fat reserves in the garden.

Tomorrow we may go for a walk if we’re up for it/

Not your normal journey home – 27 December 2024

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Last night the bags were packed and we were ready to leave.

This a long story, so get comfortable and listen.

Today after breakfast we did a quick once over to make sure we hadn’t left anything behind and said our goodbyes to Simonne and got in Jamie’s car and were driven to Stowmarket for the first stage of our journey home. Said our goodbyes to Jamie and thanked him for the last week and walked over to the platform to wait for the train.

The platform was a lot busier than we’d expected, given that Christmas two days past. We were crammed into the vestibule of the train after using sharp elbows to make sure we would get in, even if we didn’t get a seat. We were the lucky ones. Others were left on the platform.

We both finally got a seat on the train, but it was an uncomfortable journey to Peterborough. I was beginning to worry that we wouldn’t make the connection, but when we got to Peterborough we found out that the Edinburgh train was running six minutes late. The six minutes eventually turned to 28 minutes, but we did get into the shelter as people who were heading for other destinations left its warmth for their trains.

Finally the train arrived and we were in the first class carriage, only to find that two folk were in our seats. Luckily an assistant was on our coach and the two chancers were ejected and we had seats and on our way. All the seats were taken on our coach and some folk were standing in the vestibule. We did manage to get a cup of coffee, a glass of red wine and Scamp had two buttered crumpets and I had a soggy microwaved veg sausage roll cold on the outside and hot as hell inside. My, First Class standards were falling. But worse was to come.

At the next stop the carriage became a lot busier with folk standing in the aisles and by the time we reached Doncaster there was no room to move in the carriage.

At the staff changeover at Newcastle, the crowding was a bit less and Scamp asked one of the attendants if she could please have a bottle of water and got the reply of “NO! I’m far too busy!” Standards certainly are slipping!

A family of four were taking up some empty seats as the crowding reduced. One of them went looking for water, but got the same reply from the harridan. Eventually after others were asking too, she relented and gave out water, but point blank refused to hand out beer or wine. I think a letter of complaint will be heading to LNER.

We were running 2 hours late by the time we eventually reached Edinburgh and just missed our connection to Croy. Then there was an automatic alarm telling everyone to evacuate the station immediately. Not knowing how long we’d have to get back in and what state the trains would be in, I suggested we walk down to the bus station and get the bus to Glasgow and a taxi home from there. Scamp agreed and we picked up another woman who had the same idea but didn’t know how to get to the bus station, so we three found the entrance went our separate ways to our buses.

We reached Buchanan Street without further problems just as the X3 arrived. So instead of getting a taxi, we chose the X3 to make sure we did actually get home after such an eventful and avoidable day.

PoD was a lovely sunset as we crossed the River Tyne at Newcastle.

Things I’ll remember for a long time:

  • Crammed in a train that was 100% full.
  • The arrogance of the Harridan.
  • The lack of inspectors or staff on the train.
  • A long, long way home.

Tomorrow will hopefully be a day of relaxation.

 

More visitors – 26 December 2024

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Today we got a message about 10am to say that Hazy and Neil were on their way to meet us and should arrive in about two hours.

That message gave Jamie and Simonne all the information they needed to plan today’s dinner which was based on a Three Bird Roast (Duck, Pheasant and Wood pigeon) with the warning that there might just be some shot in the mix as some of the birds were shot in the wild. Everything was organised and running to schedule which left us all some time to spare before the work needed to begin.

Scamp chose to sit and read in the comfort of a warm room heated by a log burner Jamie and Simonne were reading and I wanted to go out to get some photos of the old church and churchyard in the village. I’d come prepared with my trusty leather boots and a pair of jeans. Since everyone was settled for an hour or so, I went out to take in the countryside.

I walked through the churchyard, past the church itself and down the path that would take me to a bridge across a stream. From there I could travel in one of three directions. I chose left, which was the muddiest of the lot although I didn’t know that until I was part way along it. It gave me an opportunity to try out my new Shokz headphones.

The further I went, the muddier it became until I was slithering along with just a patchy hedge to stop me sliding into the stream. Eventually I came to a path that would lead me up to the village, but I knew the path got steeper later in the walk and didn’t fancy coming a cropper on our second last day in this countryside and having to bundle my muddy boots and jeans into a Tesco carrier bag and carry them all the way home. No, safer was best, I turned round a walked back the way I’d come with a few photos in the bag, but nothing spectacular. PoD turned out to be two of Vixen’s Kong toys stuck in the gate of the house to be rinsed by the rain while she played with a new one.

Not long after that, Hazy and Neil arrived and our family was complete again. Stories were told and prezzies were exchanged. Vixen inevitable got another new Kong, an octopus this time. Then it was dinner time! The Three Bird Roast was lovely. Scamp, not being a meat eater had chosen fish again for her meal and it looked very nice. I think all the family had Salted Caramel Cheesecake for dessert and it too was really good. I think the diet will have to start as soon as we get home.

All too soon it was time for Hazy and Neil to head back down the road again but we’re hoping to see them next year, all being well. It’s strange how empty a house feels after two members of the group leave, but that’s how it felt to me today. We will be the next to leave tomorrow.

Watched TV in the evening but had to make the break and start packing later in the evening.

Things I’ll remember:

  • That complete family feeling when we’re all together
  • The slippery clay path beside the stream
  • The antics of a dog with a new kong
  • Food!!!

Tomorrow it’s our turn to head for home again.

Suddenly it’s Christmas – 25 December 2024

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Indeed, Loudon Wainwright’s lyrics nailed it perfectly.

All of a sudden, Christmas was here with all the memories it brings. Simonne went to church and Vixen knew that something was up. When she returned and the parcels were handed round, Vixen realised what was happening and when she heard that Kong squeak the tearing of the packaging began and for a good quarter of an hour, chaos ensued. It wasn’t a day for going out and besides, Scamp was still not feeling well, so we just stayed in and watched TV for a while while the Kong squeaked.

Just to get some fresh air, we went for a walk in the garden and took a few shots, but the PoD was inevitably Vixen standing guard over the Kong.

Scamp had smoked haddock with carrots and sprouts for Christmas Dinner. The rest of us had Wild Boar with carrots and sprouts. Both were really, really good. I’m going to start looking for somewhere that has wild boar near us.

Things I’ll remember:
– Vixen the paper ripper.
– Watching TV in the morning – something we never do
– Watching Jamie and Simonne working in harmony in the kitchen.
– The Prezzies.

A great day was had by all and we get to do it again when, hopefully, Hazel and Neil come a visiting!

’Twas the night before Christmas – 24 December 2024

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And all through the house folk were doing things. Mainly cooking things because lots of prep was needed for the big day.

In the morning, Simonne and Jamie took Vixen to a Run Free field a few miles away where the dog could run through the mud and the bushes without fear of other dogs getting in the way. It sounds like great fun as long as you discount the cleaning up afterwards.

We stayed home to make sure nobody ran away with the house or the food that was being prepared for tomorrow. All was not sweetness and light, however. Scamp had picked up a nasty little sickness bug and had been up all night. She took the sensible approach and had lots to drink and nothing to eat for most of the day and was feeling a bit better as evening approached.

I was a bit like a knotless thread. My First Aid training didn’t really cover sickness and vomiting, but I was pretty sure I could make a decent hand bandage if anyone cut themselves. Thankfully they didn’t so I didn’t have to test those skills.

When the Run Free folk returned I did go for a walk while Scamp was resting. Just a short walk, across the road, up past the school and into one of those strange fields that just sort of blend into the road. No fences, no gates to open, just fields that become tarmac roads. I’d been watching the sun gradually sliding towards evening and wanted a few shots of a line of trees that I presume followed a real fence, dividing up two fields. One of the few that I took got PoD. I also took some shots of the house we were staying in looking quite resplendent with its new dormer windows and straighter roof. Not completely straight though, but just enough to make it practical without losing the 16th century look. A fine line to tread.

After dinner, Scamp was feeling a bit better and ready to face the day when Santa would come to all good boys and girls. I wasn’t holding out much hope for my chances of anything other than a lump of coal.

Things I’ll remember:

  • Being nurse for a day.
  • The relief when Scamp said she was feeling better.
  • Vixen energised after her free running at Run Free.
  • Jamie, practical as always – getting things done.
  • Being impressed by the new dormer windows. So much better that the strangely named ‘Catslide’ dormers.
  • That ‘nearly’ sunset

Tomorrow we’ll be looking out for Santa!

At the seaside – 23 December 2024

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Jamie had organised a walk on the beach, twice today.

Simonne was working today, but Jamie had a plan. He drove us to Southwold and we had a walk along the long promenade. We didn’t go on to the pier, but I got a few shots of the pier with some interesting clouds as a backdrop, while Jamie and Scamp walked on. We passed a long line of painted beach huts. Loads of photo opportunities, but eventually we came to the end and turned back, then we headed into the shopping area. No boarded up shops here and no Poundstretchers.

Jamie knew of a good ice cream shop. Ice cream on a day when the mercury was in the lower single figures. But, he was right. Lovely ice cream cones and coffee afterwards. We walked round the town, although it was more of a large village, A busy place though. Plenty of folk out getting last minute prezzies. It has a lighthouse in the middle of the town/village though which prompted another photoshoot.

That was the first part of the seaside visit. Jamie drove us in a bit semicircular path to Dunwich, another beach. This one was almost the complete opposite of Southwold. The beach was half sand and half shingle. Steep cliffs rising behind the beach. We passed one man fishing from a wee black tent with a beach caster rod. I haven’t seen a beach caster for years. I didn’t envy him because the wind was even colder here, but he did seem to be well sheltered.

We passed two couples on our walk along the beach, but decided it would be better to turn around after about a mile and headed for a pub next to the car park for lunch which was soup for Scamp and me and a ploughman’s platter for Jamie, but he kindly gave me a large slice of his sausage roll.

Jamie drove us home by a different route from the way we’d come and by the time we got back to the house it was quite dark.

In the evening, Jamie took us all to The Ship pub in Levington. The pub was fairly full and a bit noisy. Food was good and so was the drink, but not for Jamie because he was driving.

PoD was a beautiful cloud bank behind the pier at Southwold.

Went to bed fairly early after a very interesting and busy day. We may go for a walk tomorrow, all being well.

Things I’ll remember:

Southwold
– The model boat pond – no boats today!
– Beach huts in Southwold.
– Ice cream on a cold day.
– Black recycled coffee cups – might try to source them.
– Lovely wild sky.

Dunwich
– Beachcaster on the shore.
– Picking pretty stones from the shingle.
– Food and beer in the pub.
– Cold wind

The Ship Pub
– Noisy locals.
– ‘Terry’ just a bloke one of the locals fancied.
– Terry’s wee dog wanting to get out of the pub.
– Us being called back because the waitress had messed up the bill.

Training – 22 December 2024

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Off on our travels again.

Taxi from the house to catch a train to Edinburgh, an hour earlier than we needed to be there, just to make sure that there wouldn’t be any glitches because of the unnamed storm that was threatening to disrupt our journey to Jamie & Simonne’s for Christmas.

We found the First Class lounge for LNER so at least we were fed and watered as well as being comfortably warm as we waited for the platform for our train to be displayed.

We had the long walk along the platform to our carriage which was second from the front, so almost the furthest away one from the gate.
Settled and sorted sitting across from two young Japanese(?) twins(?) who were very serious looking and seemed only to speak in their native tongue, at least between themselves. While we enjoyed a glass of red wine each at around 11.30am! (Not something we usually admit to!) Said red wine was useful to help wash down the Roll ’n’ Chicken with Stuffing and Gravy. Delicious. That’s why we book First Class when we can.

Unfortunately we had to get off at Peterborough and into the freezing cold, but not for long because we continued our journey in a fairly comfortable train that took us to Stowmarket where Jamie was waiting to transport us to the house.

After dinner we watched TV and relaxed.

PoD was a view from the First Class lounge in Edinburgh at what looks like a deserted platform – Everyone was away to the left, waiting for the Polar Express to arrive!

What I’ll remember:

  • Hoping against hope that the wind wouldn’t spoil the day.
  • Enjoying that hot chocolate and pain au chocolat in the posh lounge.
  • Getting a window seat. Scamp gave me the window seat. Thank you.
  • That roll ’n’ chicken with all the trimmings.
  • ‘The Twins’.
  • Horrible wee noisy boy on the train to Stowmarket. Some children should be seen and not heard. For preference they should not be seen either!
  • Seeing Jamie waiting for us at Stowmarket.
  • The drive-by tour of the inflatable Xmas decorations near Old Newton

Tomorrow we might be going out to the coast.