December 24th

Thanks for all the beautiful Christmas cards. It never ceases to amaze me how many different Christmas card designs drop onto our doormat. One day and millions of interpretations. We are cosy and warm inside with the wood burner running at full tilt; outside the permafrost has hardly receded today, but we are looking forward to slightly warmer days next week. By this time on Christmas Eve the house is quiet and relaxed and the madness of the past few days has gone. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and peace, health and prosperity in the New Year.

Autumn in Caldbeck

A walk we had in early autumn by the river in Caldbeck.

Patch Work

The end wall has been repaired in time for winter.

November 2010

Render applied and dried.

October 2010

Previously crumbling masonry on gable wall stripped away and a scratch layer of concrete added and left to dry.

Autumn 2010

This will be an occasional blog to which I plan to add family photos and news. It's November now, and Sam has a new short hair cut. All his angelic curls have been shaved off (boo hoo!) and he has finally allowed me to buy him a hat.

Polly has settled in very well at her new school and is making new friends and branching out in her interests. She has started tap dancing and goes to art club, reading club and Asia club at lunchtimes. The bottle green uniform suits her and she enjoys getting to school independently - although I think she might have preferred a lift this frosty morning. Well, the car wouldn't start so there was no choice.