Day 65 - Whitnash

James's puzzle of the day is an Ordnance Survey map centred on the house.

This afternoon we went for a quick walk around Whitnash..

The allotments are very popular.

The 'Plough and Harrow' is just around the corner.

St Margaret's parish church is in the other direction.

This evening, at the 11th hour, we decided that we should have taken a family photo of us all.  

We managed some 'couple' shots:

In my case I think a dose of the 5:2 diet or even alternate day fasting as suggested today in The Times may be needed and this could be a useful 'before' picture...

Day 64 - Fosseway to Leamington

An alternately sunny then wet and blustery journey from Bath to Leamington along the Fosseway -   the fields looked great in the winter light.

Arriving back at Lauren and James' house, the cats were enjoying a sleep by the fire.

Family Party at Red House Farm

A really happy day at Winford with all of the 'Dando side' of the family.  There were thirteen of us around the table for a lovely lunch prepared by Maggie. 

Later Monty joined the party in the lounge and was not alone in enjoying an afternoon nap by the fire..

Emma brought Margot to the front door to visit and Sky was in the stable..

For tea we enjoyed Maggie's home- made  Christmas cake and stollen as well as Lauren's home-made brownies..

(The New Year diets have therefore been postponed for another day..)

Happy New Year!

We wish a very 'Happy New Year' to all from both of us and hope that 2014 is a good year for all - we look forward to sharing it with you.

This first day of January dawned very blustery and wet and after a relaxing morning with Andrea and Steve we set off back to Bath, which was, perhaps unsurprisingly given the pouring rain, quite deserted..

We scuttled for cover at our favourite Mexican restaurant where we were the only guests..

The wall decor at Chimichangas is enlivened by some very elaborate sombrero hats..

(We were offered the opportunity to put them on but declined..!)

New Year's Eve in Pucklechurch

A lovely evening hosted by Andrea and Steve - great to catch up with Pucklechurch friends over an excellent New Year's Eve dinner.

At midnight with charged glasses we watched the fireworks from London

And celebrated with some more modest indoor pyrotechnics..

Day 60 - Back to Bath

After an early start from Leamington this morning and a blustery and wet journey on the Fosseway, we were very pleased to arrive in Bath for lunch at Stonefield with Mum and Dad.

This afternoon it was great to be able to make a quick 'catch up' visit to see Claire and Jonathan at home and to receive an enthusiastic welcome from the lovely Jessie..

Shown above in 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth mode', other modes ('whirling dervish'; 'can I sit right on top of you, right now?') are also available and are equally endearing but more difficult to capture in a photo!

Day 59 - Puzzling

James has been working at a BBC wildlife jigsaw very patiently over several days and today it was completed... or almost...

It became evident that there are four pieces missing.  Most frustrating!

David, Lauren and I have been working on the rather less demanding 300 piece Dr Who puzzle..

Fortunately no pieces missing on this one..