Not doing much

I stayed over Dad's last night and we were going out today.

We awoke this morning to wind and rain!! Getting Sir out in the rain is hard, he is not a fan so we just went and did some shopping! I desperately needed a pair of shoes for work and I picked up a pair!

This afternoon I sat down and wrote my Christmas cards and cracked on with my book!

Yes it was an exciting day!! Still the company was good for him. If the weather is ok next Saturday we'll go out then.

Tomorrow if the weather is ok I'll try and get a few pics.

Sightseeing

The car was due its service, so today so i dutifully took it in to be done. So what to do? AH I know lets hop on a train and go to London.






I think this is the Greater London Assembly building - quite attractive whether it is or not.

Tower Bridge


The Tower of London


Traitors Gate


The White Tower complete 1100.


There is a legend that says that if the Raven's ever leave the tower then a great disaster shall befall England. They take it seriously as the Ravens are pinioned.



Two gentleman warders


The Chapel Royal, you can go inside but only on one of the free tours and you can't take photos!







one of the warders giving a tour.


Black Headed Gull.





All Hallows, in the book but I've been here before.










735 St Mary-at-Hill









a few bits and pieces on my wander


The Monument built to commemorate the Great Fire of London in 1666.





St Paul's Cathedral (its amazing how close together all these places are!). Alas it charges for entry and won't let you take photos.




The Statue is Queen Anne

Food & Drink

well it was a lovely relaxing evening last night. We finished the bottle of Chardonnay Viognier which was LOVELY and polished off a nice Hawes Bay Sauvingnon Blanc from New Zealand.

Dinner was

• Tomato & Mascarpone Soup
• Chicken wrapped in Bacon and cheese with Pots and veggies
• Cheese & Biccies - Jan having Port Salut and me Somerset Brie

As ever a lovely relaxing evening in good company.

We had our Christmas lunch this afternoon at the Marygreen Manor's Tudors Restaurant Brentwood and yummy it was too.

I had

• Scallop Ravioli, Cucumber Spaghetti, Watercress Velou
• Rump of Lamb, Roasted Garlic Polenta, Cherry Tomato, Onion, Lamb Jus
• White Chocolate and Cranberry Flummery

I could get used to this

Jan is up and is cooking me dinner :D

I have a glass of rather nice Argentinian Chardonnay Viognier in hand I really could get used to this!!

Return of a Moth

Apparently one of the UK's rarest moths, the netted Carpet Moth, has made a return to the lake district after an absence of nine years.

Environmentalists, led by National Trust, reintroduced cattle grazing into the area which has improved habitat.

Part of my childhood died today

Oliver Postgate has died at the age of 83.

Postgate was responsible for some wonderful childrens programmes including The Clangers, Bagpuss, Nogging the Nog and Ivor the Engine.

A whole generation of kids grew up on the work of Postgate and his many time collaborator Peter Firmin.

A clip from a kinder, gentler time.

books again

re the post below. If you want to give Mystery recommendations then please do. I read more mysteries than fantasy/sf these days

In a book rut

And what shall we talk about today?

My reading is in a rut, I can find few books that I REALLY REALLY want to read. I was reading a travel book but after 50 pages found that my interest wasn't being held and ended up rereading the Diamond Throne by David Eddings.

I'm regretting this today because there are a few books I really ought/want to read/reread. (The Diamond Throne is ok I might add but not sure why I picked it).

I have a copy of Guy Gavriel Kay's "The Last light of the Sun" to read. I have had it in my to read pile for a few years. I've done this with Kay before and when I eventually pick it up I know I'll enjoy it. Kay is an excellent "Fantasy" writer and if you get the chance read "Tigana", "Song for Arbonne" or the "Lion of Al Rassan".

I could have reread Vernor Vinge's "A Fire Upon the Deep" - I've been meaning to for years. Why have I not bought Stephen Donaldson's "Fatal Revenant"?

Sigh.

I'm annoyed that I can't get hold of a copy of Connie Willis' - The WInds of Marble Arch short of paying £20 plus for the hardback. When/will there ever be a paperpack copy of this? There are a few other Willis about but all are hardback 120 page novellas and I am not paying £14 for 'em. Maybe I'll reread "Passage".

When I do go into book shops nothing excites my interest.

Anyone care to recommend some good books?

it turned cold

we had a very sharp frost last night. The scrapes at Rye Meads were totally frozen over this afternoon which really cut back on the photo opps but a few pics...

The Blackbirds were on the berries!!


This Heron had found a small bit of unfrozen water!


And this little poser did what Robins do... POSE.