Friday, December 12, 2008

Merry Christmas

Thinking of you all as Christmas approaches. Brrrr!! Its cold here, and today there was a light sprinkling of snow, the canal behind our place has ice on it, and it is weeks since we dried the clothes on the line in the garden. Dawn is breaking when we get to work, and it is dark as we gather up our implements and finish off at 4 30pm. Between 1-4 degrees most days.
Christmas lights are beautiful in all the towns and cities, much better than in NZ!! Of course because of the long nights.
Our drive to work takes half and hour, and we travel through very narrow country lanes, often have to back, to let people pass. Some of the names of the villages we pass are wonderful Arrdleen, Four Crosses, Llanymynech, Badgers Green, Maesbrook, Knockin, and West Felton.
We have visited Manchester, to see a Leonard Cohen concert. Held in a huge arena, 12000 people, he is about 74, and an amazing singer and entertainer. Manchester was very interesting, especially the positive side of the devastation of the war and the IRA bombing. The Christmas markets were in full swing, wall to wall people, and it was freezing temp.
Last week went to Coventry and Uppingham, east of Birmingham to visit friends, the John and Joyce Jowett, and Valerie and Alf Youell, both live in beautiful situations, and know Blenheim well.
The locals farewelled us at a party at the local pub, we had a great night, every body dressed in black, we supplied the supper and some kiwi prizes. The music went on until the wee small hours.
This has been an experience of a life time, sad to be leaving these delightful Welsh folk, but will be great to be back amongst family and friends.
We are off to Beatle country ,Liverpool next week for a couple of days, Elton john concert is on, but not sure if we will be able to get seats.
We leave here on the 1st jan, having Christmas is Devon, then off to Dubai, for cuddles with our wild grandson Leo. Then its home to CHCH and Blenheim.

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