Friday 31 December 2010

Last day of the decade..

Well Christmas has come and gone and just like the snow it is a distant memory. Everywhere is just so damp now and when I go outside the cold and damp really gets into my bones. My knees are especially suffering and climbing up hills and steps is quite painful.

We had a lovely Christmas at my parents house. We actually celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, rather than Christmas day - I believe it’s a Swiss / European thing. So as the rest of the country were preparing for the next day, we were tucking into our feast and opening presents. Normally my parents Christmas tree has real candles on it instead of lights but this year my mother we could not get any of the special candles, so we had fairy lights on our real tree. Christmas day was spent pottering and Boxing day we saw some of our friends.

Whilst we have been in London we have been out and about a bit. Seeing friends, going shopping, popping into see colleagues at work and shovelling snow from the front garden.

One of our trips was to Northala Fields in Northolt which is four manmade mounds with earth taken from the demolition of Wembley Stadium. Their purpose is to act as a sound barrier for residents, but is also forms a country park with a few ponds, a visitors centre and a walk up to the top of the mounds. Perhaps it is not the nicest place to walk, especially compared to the wonderful countryside of Wales, however, it is a nice bit of green in between roads and housing estates. The views from above are meant to be good, however, we could not see very far. We walked around the largest of the mounds which was very noisy on the side of the A40, however, on the other side it was quieter. It really does therefore work as a sound barrier.

We have also been to Brentford to see where the River Thames meets the Grand Union Canal. If we decide to come back home via the Thames then we will need to know where to turn left!

There are still patches of ice around the boat and even though there are signs of defrosting, I think it will be a long while before we will be moving her, unless spring comes early (fingers crossed)

As today is New Years Eve, I just want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and stress free 2011!

Wednesday 8 December 2010

Photos of frozen Britain, lydney Harbour and Gloucester Cathedral

Have been fighting a cold so have not done any major trips. We have been walking locally and have been surprised how cold it actually is. I recall last year walking down the canal at 7.30am to work and being cold, so cold that Scott had icicles on his beard. What I do not recall was that the cold continued throughout the day and here the frost just not melting and it is so icey. I am pleased though we are not in Scotland and also rather happy that I am not working so I can stay under the covers, all nice and warm for a bit longer.

The news discusses Frozen Britain and whilst it focuses on the travel and transport, however, these pictures demonstrate to me how the countryside has also just been frozen. The scenery is just lovely, the white trees look so pretty and the countryside as a pastel look which is a stark contrast from the vibrant colours of the summer


Just a couple of places which we have been to which I forgot to add previously.

Lydney Harbour
This is a harbour in Lydney and has been under some redevelopment. My word it was cold and the fog made it very eerie. The harbour is on the Seven Estuary and was used to aid the transport of Iron and Coal.





Gloucestershire Cathedral
We took a drive into Gloucester and wondered around the shops. It was just like any other town really, however, teh Catherdral was nice. For some reason I did not take a photo of the outside, however, the picutre on the left is part of the building and was in the Harry Potter Films.

Sunday 5 December 2010

Chilly start to December..

Trying to sightsee and do things in December has proven very tricky. All the normal 'tourist' places are shut during the week and even though the countryside is very pretty and white, the coldness and slippery pathways have hindered our motivation to go walking. It seems that all I want to do is curl up on the sofa under a blanket.

We have however been shopping to Sainsburys and rediscovered Beanfeast, been on a couple of walks and today treated ourselves to a Sunday lunch at a very busy Weatherspoons pub.

Below are some photos that I have taken recently.