Hanbury Hall, Sunday 12th December, 2010.

1) First stop: Three guesses where we are. That's right. The Jinney Ring Craft Centre near Droitwich. Another browse for Xmas presents and a chance for some Garlic Mushroom soup (for David) and a scone and jam (for Vicky) in the restaurant. And a pot of tea, of course.
2) A chance for Howard to meet up with one of his rellies.

3) Howard's balancing act.

4) Tah-dah! Hanbury Hall in all it's NT restored glory. There's folk singing Christmas Carols inside and others dressed up in costumes replicating those of the Vernon family. We'll stick to the gardens and grounds then.

5) Howard, for it is he, outside the Hall. He's not for going in, either.

6) Vicky and Howard almost inside a gazebo-thingy.

7) Vicky and Howard are agreed: that bloke isn't doing himself any favours.

8) Spot Howard and win a prize.

9) An aerial
view of Ormiston Gorge, possibly. If you look really carefully, you can spot rock wallabies hopping between the crags.

10) Oh, nice of you to come home. Where's me scran?

Birmingham, Saturday 11th December, 2010.

1) We're in Birmingham to do a touch of shopping and to get David's hair cut. And look how happy everyone is to be on the 'mile of style'. Just like us. Can we go home now?

2) Sally Army Band wrapped up warm.

3) The Town Hall looks lovely all lit-up as per. Now all we have to do is battle through the crowds at the German Xmas Market and we might get back to our car before the ticket runs out. Fingers crossed. Ah, the joys of Christmas.

Frozen River Severn: Thursday 9th December, 2010.

1) The Severn is frozen over in parts. Soon we'll be able to go skating on it.

2) The gulls already are.

3) Others sit at the edge of the ice and half-heartedly peck at the surface of the river more in hope than expectation.

Tuesday 7th December, 2010.

1) This was taken last week when Vicky was working from home with the dedicated assistance of 'young' Emlyn.

2) This wasn't taken today either. It was taken last week.

3) This is today. It's not quite eight o'clock and Vicky is outside in the frost scraping the windows of our trusty Lancer clean prior to a 45 mile drive to work. So, where are Dave and Emlyn? Why inside, of course. In the warm. Taking photos of Victoria and waving her off when she eventually leaves. We're very supportive like that (oh yes).

4) We've had a few flakes of snow in recent days but, thanks to a night of freezing fog, today's walk is a winter wonderland courtesy of a thick layer of hoar frost. You can tell it's an unusual occurrence 'cos I'm one of three people (of a certain age) taking photos of the trees in Gheluvelt Park.

5) Even the kiddies summer holiday play area looks picturesque today.

7) The ducks on the pond have fallen strangely silent. Might even be a tad cold for them.

8) Clouds of leaves on the tree.

9) Let's hope it's nice and cosy in there.

10) Gheluvelt War Memorial suitably bleak.

11) Walking back along Pitchcroft now towards home. Ah, if only I had my swimmers. I'd jump in for a nice invigorating swim down to the weir and back.

12) Don't think they'll be much demand for the rowing boats, eh?

Evesham Cats Protection, Sunday 28th November, 2010.

1) Volunteering at the Evesham CP on the coldest November morning in living memory (well, ours) can have it's compensations. Nice frosty hanging basket, for instance..............

2)............... pretty icy patterns on the storage shed window.........

3)..............and, er, the communal ash tray looking even less appealing than usual. Two out of three ain't bad tho', eh?

4) Pandora simply can't understand why people have her down as a grumpy grot-pot.

5) Derek models the latest wear for CP volunteers: the Elsie winter warmer.

6) The precise moment when Pandora realised that venturing outside might not have been one of her better decisions.

7) Don't expect me to come out from under here until next Spring.

8) My name's Dawn and I'm a Burman. It's too late to adopt me, of course, I've already been chosen.

Saturday 27th November, 2010.

1) Oh yes, we're fairly 'ard, we are. It's always nice to record the first snowfall of the winter even if it's not even December yet. Brrrr.


2) Emlyn proves you don't need a full set of gnashers for survival. He may only have three teeth left but he can still give those foolish enough to cross him a hell of a gumming.

Winterslow, Saturday 13th November, 2010.

1) Tony with his new Triumph Bonneville. In black, of course.

2) But what's this? The Final Drive Chain on the right? It's lunacy!