A definite feeling of fin de la saison
A mid-December day OFF.
Grey, but clear and still remarkably mild weather, and Lapwings flocking across the corn stubble. A very long dog walk with a view to keeping some of the winter pounds at bay. Not a few daffodils out in various places - fully 6 or 8 weeks earlier than normal.
A ton or more of free firewood collected. The rediscovery of my lost Distance glasses - hidden by one of the cats.
We had promised ourselves a return to the old hunting lodge - now the Devonshire Arms in Long Sutton, which we chanced on in early autumn, and today was the day; a fine and gentile lunch with Mum and Williams. Recommended as a dog-friendly hotel/restaurant with a reasonable and reasonably sophisticated menu, and a decent wine list and even a hand-pulled beer or two. Very professionally run and obviously popular - 60+ covers all full.
A nap. Something I all too rarely get the chance to do.
A late afternoon sort and stash a few books, clothes, tools, ornaments & presents, and a quiet fireside evening reading a book and listening to music, with a glass of cider made from our own apples (well made by Roger Wilkins, who took our 80 bags up to Mudgely just yesterday, muttering that he has not got his own off the hill yet).
Definitely fin de la saison mode.....
Grey, but clear and still remarkably mild weather, and Lapwings flocking across the corn stubble. A very long dog walk with a view to keeping some of the winter pounds at bay. Not a few daffodils out in various places - fully 6 or 8 weeks earlier than normal.
A ton or more of free firewood collected. The rediscovery of my lost Distance glasses - hidden by one of the cats.
We had promised ourselves a return to the old hunting lodge - now the Devonshire Arms in Long Sutton, which we chanced on in early autumn, and today was the day; a fine and gentile lunch with Mum and Williams. Recommended as a dog-friendly hotel/restaurant with a reasonable and reasonably sophisticated menu, and a decent wine list and even a hand-pulled beer or two. Very professionally run and obviously popular - 60+ covers all full.
A nap. Something I all too rarely get the chance to do.
A late afternoon sort and stash a few books, clothes, tools, ornaments & presents, and a quiet fireside evening reading a book and listening to music, with a glass of cider made from our own apples (well made by Roger Wilkins, who took our 80 bags up to Mudgely just yesterday, muttering that he has not got his own off the hill yet).
Definitely fin de la saison mode.....