Tuesday, 27th December, 2011.

Brainwave! We've now cunningly re-designed the track, by creating the Office Door Complex, which allows one of us to sit in the office yet stretch his/her legs into the hall, thus providing a much more comfortable driving position. Note there is also a new Race Control building on the Living Room Door corner in-field, cleverly disguised as an oil-fired radiator, an' all. Good, eh?

Splendid action shot of the dastardly Peugeot 908 Diesel-Turbo-thingy (boo!) exiting Bathroom Door corner in vain pursuit of the Lola Aston Martin (Yay!) which is crossing the line to win yet another thrilling 1000 Laps Of Barbourne.

Boxing Day, December, 2011.

We were so knackered after our stint at the Cats Protection yesterday that we waited until Boxing day morning to set up our new Scalextric set. Only one problem: the hall's too small for the extended figure 8 layout. Never mind, we'll design our own track to suit. We could have made the straights a bit longer but then we wouldn't have been able to open the bathroom door and as any committed endurance racer knows, if you need to go at the end of your stint, you really do need to go! Here the Lola Aston Martin is getting a right good thrashing as it enters Bathroom Door corner.

He's off! And it's a big one!! RACESAFE trained marshal about to leap into action to rescue pride of Britain Lola Aston Martin (Yay!) from the barriers at Living Room corner whilst dastardly French Peugeot Diesel Turbo-thingy (boo!) prepares to take advantage.

Vicky's only worry is that David's determination to recreate his childhood knows no bounds. She caught him earlier measuring the dining table and muttering on about Subbuteo. It's a worry.

Evesham Cats Protection, Xmas Day, 2011.

Arrival, and there is much to do. Rocky lends a helping paw whilst reminding us that he is very hungry despite having already helped himself to at least three bowls of food intended for others.

Feeding time is over and it's cleaning out time. How can one cat make so much mess?

Rocky, having eaten everyone else's food, puts the In Tray to good use.

Nobody's quite sure who or what a 'Sue Rose' is but, rest assured, her Xmas donation is being put to excellent use.

Time to go home now. We are knackered. This was the first time we have ever done a shift on our own. Thank goodness we were not open to the public. Hardly had the time to take any photos.

QE Hospital, Birmingham, Wednesday 21st December, 2011.

Outside the almost-brand-new QE Hospital which is just across the road from the olde part where David had his op three (count 'em) years ago. We are here today 'cos David is having a routine CT Scan. We arrived early, not knowing the lie of the land, got seen early, and were back in the car before the time of the actual appointment. Blimey! The NHS won't keep that up for long, will they?

Atherstone, Monday, 19th December, 2011.

Xmas meal with the olde N Warks Team. Left to right: Carol, Vicky, Enid, Edna, and Joanne. Dave, Ray, and Burbage Bob, by way of a contrast, down the pub just along the road partaking of the '£5 curry and pint' night.

Thursday, 15th December, 2011.

After six years of procrastination we have finally had some curtains fitted in our bedroom. So, are we happy now? No, 'cos now we need to change the picture frame to match.

Monday, 12th December, 2011.

'Thank you' flowers from colleagues for Vicky having left her old job as Area Manager.

Worcester, Saturday, 17th December, 2011.

Walking into Worcester on the last Saturday before Xmas would, normally, be a bad idea, what with the hordes out doing their shopping and what-not.

But by staying out of the town centre and sticking to the river with the swans........

....the seagulls........

......and the.....erm......funghi........it's a pretty good way to spend a couple of hours or so. Certainly clears away the cobwebs, as they say.

Wellesbourne, 1st December, 2011.

1st December? It must be Xmas!

Uno the pink-nosed reindeer.

Nigel (r) asks Santa: 'how long have we gotta stand here?' Uno (l) and Fern (c) can only agree with their brothers' sentiment.

Worcester, Sunday, 4th December, 2011.

Vicky is very proud of her very first attempt at an apricot and almond tart. David and Emlyn, unfortunately both out of shot, are too busy rubbing their very swollen tummies to possibly comment.

Ludlow, Saturday, 3rd December, 2011.

We have made our annual pilgrimage to the Farm Food place just outside Ludlow. It's a Xmas tradition, we'll have you know.

It's busy and folk are stuffing tasty things into their baskets left right and centre.

Much later, after a drive home via Droitwich, we arrive back safe and sound. Emlyn takes a keen interest in all things meaty, fishy and, indeed, creamy. Not unlike David then.

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 29th November, 2011.

Intruder Alert! Intruder Alert!

This is a very scaredy cat - but he's getting there.

I didn't sign up for this sort of relentless lovey-dovey stuff! I'm a kitten, get me out of here.

Avast ye! Oh sorry. Wrong animal.

Elsie stands guard outside the office........

..........and enjoys a lunchtime cuppa in the sunshine with a servant.

Jewellery Quarter (yet again), Saturday 26th November, 2011.

In the Jewellery Quarter again, are we, and wearing it with pride?

Caught in the act!

Jewellery Quarter (again), Saturday 12th November, 2011.

We're back in the Jewellery Quarter to see 'the-you-know-what' in wax. Whilst there we visit the Jewellery Museum and take the guided tour of an old Jewellery factory that has remained in situ, so to speak, since it closed down in 1981 (having opened in 1899). These are the machines at which women polished gold, got their hair tangled in the gubbins, or lost an eye when a belt snapped. Health and Safety? Pah!

Old Bluebird Toffees (also made in Birmingham) tin made a handy receptacle for a workers bits and bobs.

The Joseph Chamberlain Clock Tower.

And when it was built.

We took a lot more images but David hadn't loaded the memory card properly and so most of them have been lost. It's his age, y'know.

Birmingham, Saturday 5th November, 2011.

We've come to The Jewellery Quarter today on a top secret mission. Can't say what the mission is, said too much already, but we can say it is to do with our 25th Wedding Anniversary. It's a chance for Vicky to show off her new Autumn coat of which she is very proud (oh yes). Note small paper bag which contains the only purchase we can announce: two expresso mugs - a Xmas present for a work colleague.

Aha, so this is where all the autumnals are. Well, Birmingham is on a plateau (as David is always telling Vicky) so it does arrive that bit earlier.

All Along The Watchtower. Howard outside The Jewellery Quarter BR Station (we have come by car, of course). Might come by train next time if the roads are snowy.

David is an advocate of public transport if it means we get bigger popcorn portions.

An olde urinal. It is shut, of course.

Some history on said olde urinal.

Driven into the city centre now and this is the new Public Library which is coming along nicely. Unfortunately, it is probably even uglier than the old one that it will eventually replace. Even the autumnals can't save the day.

The Anti-capitalism camp has moved from Victoria Square to the Peace Park. Some of its inhabitants go home at night: that's an important, and reassuring, factoid for all readers of The Daily Mail.

Ironmongery detailing on the new Public Library building. Will we warm to the library eventually? Watch this space but don't hold yer breath.

Gheluvelt Park, Monday, 31st October, 2011.

We haven't taken many images of this Autumn up to now on account of it being so late this year. Even so, with November virtually upon us, it seems somewhat half-hearted. Nice tho', eh?

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 30th October, 2011.

Upon arrival we find Elsie in her usual position. But what's this? She's still got part of the turkey rasher she had with her eggs toast and beans for breakfast in her gob. Swallow it, Elsie, swallow it.

That's it, look no further. This one wins our 'favourite cat of the day' hands down. Well, it's David's favourite anyway.

With all the feeding and cleaning-out over in record time this morning we get a chance to learn a new skill: grooming the long-haired cats. It's a dirty job but someone's gotta do it!

This is Robbie. Here was here a month ago. This is perplexing. We can't understand why no-one has taken a shine to him 'cos he's a great bloke. You know where he lives: adopt him!

It's only 12:30 and some lucky blighters are already on their second feed of the day. David wishes he was. He's only had a bowl of muesli and fruit, that was four hours ago, and his tummy's-a-rumblin". Time to go home.