The Fab Four and Liverpool

What an amazing time we had on our day trip to Liverpool!

Of course, it started fairly badly when, due the roadworks at Didcot Station, we missed our first train.  However, the staff were fantastic and re-did our itinerary so, by 12pm, we were rolling into Lime Street station.

Liverpool was everything I didn't expect it to be - clean with beautiful buildings, full of friendly people and so much to see.   First we headed to the Albert Dock

Then, at 1.00pm we hopped onto the Magical Mystery Tour and were taken everywhere - to the Beatles' family homes,

(How could 4 boys who went on to be known world-wide have started life in such ordinary houses?)

as well as to

and

and to see all the other amazing buildings.

Then George spent hours (seemed like - I went off to have a rest) looking round the Beatles Story exhibition.

Then we went to look across the Mersey

Then for a quick peak in the

Then a stroll (which eventually turned into a panic-stricken sprint when we got very lost) through the Christmassy shopping streets back to Lime Street Station for our 6.30 train home:

It was quite an adventure!!

A Fruitless Search for Holy Quail Eggs

So it's finally upon us!  I spent today driving a round trip to Bristol Airport to exchange presents with my sister.  It took me about 6 hours instead of the 3 I expected.  Besides getting lost numerous times and driving through the middle of Bristol, I also stopped at every town on the way home trying to buy Quail eggs.  I wasn't surprised they didn't have them at the service stations but I did expect more from Waitrose.  Although feeling a bit frantic about it (gets like that at Christmas, I find - I tend to get obsessed with details) I finally realised that my own eggs sliced in half would be just as good!

I was very pleased to find, when I finally got home, that Jonathan had made a Christmas corner in the best room!

It doesn't sing or walk around or fly like the stuff I buy,  but I love it!

The last of the 2015 Lorne Hill Farm workshops was held last Wednesday

And Jackie made some lovely felt decorations at Pitch and Stitch.

I haven't managed to finish my Father Christmas, but will do over the next few days.  After tomorrow, when I do my final gift run in the morning and have our friends and neighbours over for a musical evening and buffet (two of whom are from Australia and one from Scotland - so not close neighbours), our Christmas will be the quietest we've had for twenty years! - so I plan to batten down the hatches and not leave our little valley for at least 3 days!

Christmas Wreath-Making

What a lovely, busy day we've had.

Wreath making, with Linda, is always huge fun - and the best bit is: I get to keep her demo!

We've had 16 ladies over the whole day.  This morning as well as Dawn, Toni and Sharon from London, my friends from work came.  I've suffered all week with them going on and on about it - some wishing they had never signed up for it, some worrying they wouldn't be able to do it - but in the end they were all really pleased with their efforts

Some of them have posted pictures of their front doors which is lovely to see:

They look splendid!

Then in the afternoon we had some of the ladies who come back year after year and it's like an annual reunion.  Some of them starting coming in 2009 so it's great to catch up and hear what they've been up to over the last 12 months.

 

And of course, they enjoyed the 48 mince pies I made, and the jugs of hot chocolate, coffee and tea (and squeazy cream - as pre-ordered by Mandy)!

 

I should also mention my little helper, Sophie, who was brilliant at helping serving and I couldn't believe my eyes when I went in the kitchen and saw how she had cleaned everything up  - she was fantastic!

 

A very, very good day - and our second to last workshop of 2015!

Those Naughty Dogs Again.....

Does everyone have a 'guilty' cupboard - the one which is one step away from the rubbish bin; where you put everything that you say may come in handy but in fact will sit in that cupboard for years and years.  Mine had old bubble wrap, used envelopes, plastic things that George has bought over the internet and I don't even know what they are, brochures, old wrapping paper, - a load of old stuff piled up on top of unused plates.

Well, I've found a way of sorting it out.  Leave the dogs at home with your husband and son so they don't get enough exercise, then go out for the evening.

You will come home to this:

Sorted!

Well!

Two reasons for 'Well!'

Firstly, I can't believe Mince Pie time has come around again so quickly

Mr Snowman there was a present from our neighbour who made us the two lovely reindeer a couple of years ago.  He's made out of wood and we think he's brilliant.

Secondly, I was in Newbury on Thursday and parked my car in the underground car park.  As I was walking away a man called out "Do you want your car washed?"   I said "No thanks" but then thought - well, perhaps it would be nice to have it cleaned before Christmas.

"How much will it cost?", I asked.

"Let me have a look", he replied.

I was thinking, well,  I'll Pay anything up to £12.

He had a quick look round it and said "Sorry Ma'am, Can't do it.  It's too dirty".

Well!