Best Of

We had quite spectacular skies first thing this morning! Two view looking from the van. Towards the East

Looking North West

Although it has been wet on and off all day we did manage a dry walk around around Upton before lunch. The town was very quiet but there is a good display of Christmas Trees by the Pepperpot.

More rain this evening…Ahhh!😫

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Sorry to hear thst your mum is not too well @Takethedogalong hope everything is well soon.

More expense then @Wherenext although I suppose needs must!!

After a wet night today has been fine and sunny at times. We headed over to Ledbury this morning for a walk and some shopping. We had expected to drive past Eastnor on the way, and have a walk there, but because of road closures were diverted in the opposite direction. However we did call into the car park opposite the castle entrance on the way back to the van, so took the opportunity to have a shorter walk than originally intended, up to the Golden Gates Lodges.

Close to the path was this rather unique block of concrete. Does anyone know what it is or was? To the left, on the horizon, an even older construction, British Camp on the Malvern Hills.

This is one of the many old Oak trees on the estate which caught my eye.

ThIs was our sky tonight, which augers well for tomorrow perhaps, although the forecast is for more rain.

It has been another dry but windy, and at times, sunny day, good enough to dry another round of washing dried outside. However it has recently started to rain, but nowhere as bad as they are having in The Lakes. We had a couple of walks at Kinver Edge again but from the Vale Rocks carpark this time, close by the MBT trails. The first one was up to see Nanny's Caves, which are decorated with hundreds of examples of griffity.

@DEBSC we have a few 'private' people that do ear syringing around here. I havent used them but SIL, who has trouble with his ears, has used one in particularly (ex NHS nurse) and says she is excellent. It might be worth googling to see if there are any in your area

Our SIL is vegan. Luckily we are going to theirs for Christmas day and he is doing the cooking.

@KjellNN happy birthday to your OH. I hope you both feel better soon. This cold seems to hang around for a while.

We have had a lovely festive afternoon taking our 2 great grandsons (with their mummy and daddy) to see Father Christmas. Youngest at 4 months was a bit bewildered by it all! However eldest was very excited and loved it, as did we. Such a special experience.

Agree about Broadway, @DEBSC. 👍👍 Broadway is delightful....

In the meantime, Carol insisted I got a new Christmas pullover for our pub carol singing sessions.... didn't realise it looked that bright... 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Last nights session was a bit crowded. Not sure how we managed to get almost 30 singers into a small space + electronic bit's and bobs to provide a reasonable accompaniment.... It's a good job there were quite a few singers unable to attend!!!

Anyone been to Chatsworth Christmas Market this year? We went a few years ago and quite enjoyed it Didn't take the caravan up though. Fortunately, it's not too far from home, so we drove up for the afternoon.

Today just has to be Christmas Card writing and posting, or else they're just not going to get there. We got some cards today posted on 26th November.... that 14 days for them to arrive..... At that rate, folk will be lucky to get ours by Christmas.....

David

@milliehull we have had a really good time, we planned our week carefully, mainly to ensure we had some get out of the weather things to do, but rather luckily for us, it’s been mostly dry and sunny in the day time. We even managed a couple of unplanned, but really enjoyable walks. We have been tired though, think it’s partly this lingering cold of mine, and the fact that we are just not used to racing around packing things into a day like we used to do.

We had a slow morning today, then drove all of a mile to Vindolanda. Had an hour outside inspecting Roman sewers, burials, all sorts of other things, then had a lovely lunch in the cafe before going round the jaw dropping museum. It’s just so different from EH, NT, type visits, as it’s being continuously excavated, so every visit brings something new. We walked back up doing the second part of the outside, so a very Roman afternoon. Bit of packing up to do tonight, we head home via Hexham Xmas Fair tomorrow. Have already decided Bath might be a good few days away for us, by rail. We both want to see the Roman Baths. Something for the new year.

Love the Arts and Crafts photos @nelliethehooker somewhere else we need to add to list.

Part of the Roman Fort. Apparently there have been nine forts on this site, and a village just outside. Lovely setting as well.

Roman shoes, highly decorated.

Plenty of choice, styles to suit all ages and budgets🤭

It stayed nice today here, good bit of sunshine as well. We did a lovely little walk we have never done before on Hadrians Wall, took in Thirlwall Castle, walked the line of the Wall to Walltown Crags and had a picnic lunch there. Decided against trying to slither back down to where we started, so took to a minor road, then picked up the HW cycling path, back into Greenhead. Only around 3 miles, but it felt a lot more going up a long steep climb at the start. Fabulous scenery. We had been to Thirlwall before, as it’s close to a CL we like at Gilsland, but Walltown Country Park was new to us, and well worth a visit. Couple of small lakes, some well surfaced walks, visitor centre.

Thirlwall Castle, right on the Wall, classic bit of medieval stone re using!

Walltown Crags, with a good section of HW running along the summit. The Romans didn’t go round things! Taken from the Country Park, which is right next door to the Roman Army Museum.

Glad to read that Ros is feeling well enough to go out for a walk today after her operation yesterday @richardandros

More fine photos @Takethedogalong you have certainly found lots of places to visit. We have not been up to Thirwall Castle or to Walltown Country Park, so must make an effort to get there next year.

We too have had a fine dry day for our visit to Wightwick Manor. The outside looks much older than having been built the 1880s for Theodore Manders, of the Mander Brothers paint and varnish manufactures. The interior is decorated and furnished under the influence of the Arts and Crafts movement with many examples of the works of William Morris. We had a walk around the grounds before lunch and then went round the house in the afternoon. There were many beautiful Xmas decorations both inside and out.