2022 - The Start of Something Good?

 Here’s to Peace this Festive Season

Home in Broadwath - Wintry Snow after Storm Arwen, November

Mid December approaches and the thrill of Christmas and the New Year with family & friends is again under attack by the shapeshifter that is Covid-Omicron. Maybe this is the virus’s last throw of the dice before melting into mediocrity to become benignly endemic!

We recently visited a family of medical friends in Northern Ireland and they referred to the pandemic as ‘call up papers for docs' - retired / retiring / otherwise. 

That struck a chord with us too. We have been immunisers since January - hopefully with altruism in mind and definite selfishness too (i.e. to get jabbed)!

Our part time activity continues (with some humour & strong reading glasses).

Between sessions, as a member of the national charity   4 x 4 Response, Colin helped district nurses get to their patients when Alston (highest market town in England) was semi-cut off.

There was still time to enjoy the 25th January with a virtual whisky tasting with Hamilton Burns' Club (roll on 2022's supper - fingers crossed) & circumnavigation of the globe (3D puzzle made in the kitchen) ...

With July's hot, sunny days we took a real stay-cation - camping for a over a week in our orchard! 

Then at the month's end we had a good time in Northern Ireland which included a few days away with our Zoom buddies; visiting Florence Court & taking a boat trip out on Lower Lough Erne.

September was a time for the Quick Quacks meeting in Peebles followed by a first visit to Annandale Distillery, where a whisky barrel has been laid down for ten whole years!

Sadly our fifteen year old regular sojourns to the Edinburgh Residence have come to a close, but we'll be back in other ways to Auld Reekie. Our last stay was preceded by a vist to The Trossachs & cousins Ian & Carol in Argyll.

Monachyle Mhor Lodge - A Room with a view to...

Loch Voil

How could this photo be resisted? A mother's love indeed!

At last we visited the Kelpies - magnificent with the backdrop of the Ochil Hills

An unusual view of Edinburgh - a panorama from the North - Inverleith Park (Botanical Gardens)

Closer to home, we've been enjoying trips out with GLASS (Green Lane Association) at various locations in both N. Yorkshire & Cumbria, specifically over Catescarth Pass.(A couple of family members are booked for Christmas trips this year - they will be armed with wellies / warm socks / hot soup!)

Catescarth Pass - Haweswater to Kendal. Can you spot the all the vehicles on the zigzags?

Near Ingleborough & Pen-y-Ghent

Both Jamie & Nicky are well and seem settled with their respective other halves, Eve & Rob. Our 2yr old cavapoo grand dog, Royce is a regular visitor much to Mr Soot's (black Schnauzer) disgust. Here he is coping with being dresssed up!

Well what a cute face to 'wrap up' some snippets of news from our year!

Here is to Health & Happiness for 2022 

Our Orchard at Whitegate - late November 2021- Post Arwen