Winter

After driving South from Newcastle through horrendous traffic (only six miles covered in the first hour, lots of black ice the second hour), we got to the little village of Heckington; Kate (Margarets sister) and Chris recently bought this house (where Chris grew up) – but it needs LOADS of work to make it habitable, so for now they are living in a static caravan round the back!

Inside the house, some small indication of the work needed; and among the many items in the house, loads of model train stuff, including a huge layout (which I guess will have to be trashed!)

Since we’re not driving anywhere today, Margaret & I went out walking at lunchtime with our friends Sheila & Paul and their sons Matthew & Tom (no school today!); the original plan was to head down and over the river, but with even footpaths slippery we changed to a closer pub lunch destination. Lunch was fabulous – and the winter views were pretty specactular too!

With another 6″ of snow falling overnight here in Newcastle, we’re not doing much but watching through the window for a while – but the bird feeder provides entertainment with English bird visitors like this Blue Tit: