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!

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!!