Thursday 27 April 2017

rolling downward

The significance of this light fitting above will become apparent by the time we hit the pub!!  Read on ....
Our picturesque start on a sleepy Winster lane
and the intrepid carolling crew about to embark on our day's hike
Up to the top of Winster first - stunning views across the hills in the April heat haze
plenty of uber-narrow stiles to negotiate
Spring lambs galore
and soon it's close to lunchtime and Bonsall beckons
and YES - here's the real Bonsall Cross in the sleepy village of Bonsall
The replica lights line the lovely bar of the friendly King's Head
Replete with hearty home-cooked food, good ale and an impromptu chorus of Hail Smiling Morn, we head off on our path back to Winster, mostly along the Limestone Way
Although inevitably there are moments of navigational indecision!
Beautiful spooky tree moments
and plenty of blackthorn blossom (have I got that right Ian?)
Bumpy remains of the old lead mine workings that scatter these hills
and 'are we nearly there yet?' - yes!

and back in time for tea ......
What a wonderful day with a great bunch of friends and here's to our 2017 carolling season!

Tuesday 25 April 2017

celebrations

So we started the birthday with a tasty breakfast at the wonderful Fingers' Crossed
Then a happy meander in the April sun around East London
Had hoped to peek inside Bevis Marks, the oldest synagogue in London built in 1701 and tucked away in a little courtyard in the City of London.  Sadly it wasn't open for visitors on the day we were there - another time I hope.
Always love the graffiti
and the daredevil building construction
and our next stop was the historic Toynbee Hall
then back for a cuppa and a spruce up before our unforgettable birthday nosh at the amazing Otto's
the birthday girl
and a final nightcap at the classy Fontaine's in Dalston
And all too quickly it was the next morning and we bidding a fond farewell
under skies of blue
to an early morning Dalston
and a magnificent-as-ever St Pancras
Hasta la vista - and happy birthday!!