Venturing Out

With a kind invitation & a visit from my cousin,

we ventured to the South Devon coastline,

heading for Dartmouth.

Wonderful to just take the time

 to gaze at the boat activity,

from vehicle ferries to  small vessels,

 although  much quieter

 compared to the summer months.

With a walk out of the main town,

 we headed towards the entrance

 of the River Dart,

 emerging into the wide open

expanse of sea

The entrance was also the location

for the Dartmouth Castle,

not over big,

but closed due to the seasonal holidays.

~  ~  ~  ~

As we stumbled along the coastal path,

 we passed Castle Cove,

 easily accessible by steps.

A wonderful sound,

 to hear the lapping motion of the waves,

 relatively calm  & relaxing.

Although the weather

was not that bright during our drive to the coast

& through one stage of our walk,

the weather later improved. 

 The temperature may have dropped a few degrees,

 but we felt lucky with the blueness of the skies!

Truly lovely to get the chance of some bracing freshair,

an enjoyable walk after

 some excessive eating due to the festive season!

With All Seasonal Good Wishes

Sincerly hope all family & friends

are enjoying their festive celebraties

at this Christmas time.

Countdown

With Christmas fast approaching,

it's definitely time to countdown.

~   ~   ~   ~

The above advent tree

 is one that is displayed

 in my home every Christmas,

eventhough my daughter is now 24 years old. 

 I made this for her when she was two. 

 So, it's just following tradition.

The tree is up and decorated,

some handmade cross-stitched decorations in place aswell.

Although plans have been delayed,

due to seasonal germs/illness,

I'm sure everything will be

 organised for the festive season.

Catching Up....

Being aware,

 that my Christmas preparations were way behind this year,

 very unlike me,

I ventured off to Bath,

 a town famous for it's Roman Baths,

 although not enough time to visit them on this occasion.

The Christmas Market was also in full swing,

 offerings from Mulled Wine or Cider,

 to a wide range of crafts

But, being a weekend & the festive season,

the town was just SOooo...Busy!

But, this gave me more opportunity,

 to explore the side streets with plenty of individual eateries

& exclusive/creative  shops.

vf

Due to the crowds,

I gave most of the street market a miss,

which was mean't to put me in a festive mood,

but I enjoyed watching the old fashioned Merry Go Round ride,

which appeared to be a magical delight for young & old.

This visit to this historical town ultimately

gave me the chance to visit a favourite shop,

The Cath Kidston Shop,

which thankfully helped me to choose some of my seasonal gifts!

~   ~   ~   ~

S e a s o n a l   G r e e t i n g s

to Y o u   A l l

All the Signs

With Autumn leaves progressively fall,

especially with increasingly,

 colder weather creeping in,

signs of the winter in evidence with

 many plants remaining  with masses of berries.

~   ~   ~   ~

Thoughts,

 certainly starting to give way,

 to preparations for

the Christmas season.

Remembrance Sunday

The Memorial Gates on Constitution Hill

'When you go home, tell them of us, and say:

For your tomorrow we gave our today.'

Kohima War Memorial

On 6 November 2002,

 HM The Queen officially inaugurated the Memorial Gates

 on Constitution Hill in London, UK.

These Gates have been erected as a lasting memorial,

 to honour the five million men and women from the Indian subcontinent,

Africa and the Caribbean who volunteered

 to serve with the Armed Forces

during the First and Second World Wars.

They also celebrate the contribution

 that these men and women and their descendants,

 members of the Commonwealth family,

 continue to make to the rich diversity of British society.

Although this is just one memorial,

 for remembering those

 that lost their life due to conflicts & wars,

Remembrance Sunday,

a day to remember everyone

 who has lost their life fighting for their country.

~   ~   ~   ~

 And, still the lost still goes on within our modern times. . . .

If only we could relish a more peaceful world!

The Month of November

A week ago, it was my Aunty's 90th Birthday!

To celebrate,

her immediate family took her to London,

to the London Eye,

providing fantastic views overlooking the capital.

Needless to say,

she was thoroughly spoilt with champagne,

numerous presents & cards,

besides masses of flowers.

Just a few featured in this post.

It was lovely to think

 she was able to enjoy her very special day.

~   ~   ~  ~   ~

And, today, is my Mother's 88th birthday.

She is such a special lady,

very kind natured & very unselfish.

During the next few weeks,

she has a succession of appointments at the hospital.

ultimately concluding with an operation at the end of the month.

Although she will be going out on her birthday,

weather permitting,

 she will be going on the steam railway at the weekend,

with a journey to Minehead.

This is the last weekend the railway will be operating

 for the season before

Christmas specials in December.

I know this is something

 Mother  is looking forward to,

as it's a journey she was very use

 to as a young girl/woman.

Further Birthday celebrations at the weekend!

It will be my Daughter's 24th Birthday!

 Birthday Wishes to them All!

The Library. . . .

A very welcoming room with warm tones,

 comfort uppermost,

 to beable to enjoy

 such a choice & wealth of books!

I just hope some of the books

 were aswell used as what they looked.

The huge desk at the back of the room,

weights at the ready to calculate the postage weight.

The wonderful marble fireplace,

flanked by a handcrafted embroidered chair.

Anyone for a game of Chess?

Table & chairs capturing the natural daylight,

located  by one of the large windows,

 overlooking some of the gardens.

A very tranquil setting!

Inviting. . . .

The interior of Dunster Castle 

 is so full of timeless character,

 & fortunately,

 the public are able to capture some

of the wonderful intricate craftmanship of this stately home,

as photography is permitted,

 providing flash is not used.

Downstairs definitely on a grand scale,

more to follow. . . .