We seem to have enjoyed so many things since my last post that it’s quite difficult to know where to start, CC’s Mother has been staying with us this Christmas so we’ve had a lovely family time with everyone coming for Christmas dinner and the usual pre-dinner ramble. CC has just popped out to get supplies with his mother so I’m taking advantage of having the house to myself and our guest room back ( I’m also playing my gramophone at full whack !)

*   Despite the fact that this Christmas has been wet, rather than snowy we’ve enjoyed our Christmas shopping, mainly in Kirby Lonsdale which looked beautiful with its Christmas lights and festive atmosphere.

*   Our archery club celebrated with the usual festive shoot and jovial atmosphere.

*   CC and I have enjoyed winter walks in our area, one memorable visit to Calder Vale, a small mill village in Bowland. Each little stone terraced was adorned with beautiful wreaths and one visitor was keen to have his photo taken.

*   Our parcels were wrapped in brown paper and made very pretty with lovely festive ribbon. ….

and we decorated most of our house with tree off-cuts , free from our local farm shop and holly from the garden.

*   It was quite a challenge to pull ourselves away from the roaring log fire on Christmas morning for our usual appetite sharpening ramble with my family, but well worth the fresh air and views. My family have been rambling together from when we could walk, so it’s lovely to have everybody together for a family ramble.

*   Mum baked our Christmas cake and Christmas pudding this year and I enjoyed icing the cake and decorating it ( the fun part )

*   Boxing Day saw us take a lovely drive into the Yorkshire Dales and we went to visit Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water park, truly spiritual and stunning. The National Trust had lit the abbey

 

and festive carols filled the air. Absolutely beautiful.

*   It was such a calming and restorative place to be after the liveliness and bustle of Christmas Day. I think we will be venturing back into the Dales very soon.

*   On Thursday this week I accompanied my mother on a walk around Kendal, she has a knack for exploring and showed me some beautiful woods in Kendal, established by the Victorians. They certainly knew how to enjoy themselves with a delightful summer house overlooking Kendal and the hills and even an outdoor dance floor !

*    There was also evidence of guerilla knitters tagging Kendal – fantastic ! Encompassing lots of local themes including sheep’s heads.

*   I’m not sure I would want my knitting to be outside, I’m still very new to it so each piece is hard won !, these pieces of artwork are so very lovely. Nevertheless it certainly brightened our afternoon.

*   We passed by Postman Pat’s original Post Office – the place where his author John Cunliffe lived.

*   We have also made another visit to York with CC’s mum, in addition to showing her the delights of The Shambles and York Minster we also spent time in the peaceful and beautiful Holy Trinity Church, hidden away behind Our Lady’s Row. The church has been there since the eleventh century and the traditional family boxes were adorned with greenery and candles. Breathtaking in it’s beautiful simplicity.

*     Is anybody still there ?, A very Happy Christmas to you all. Love The Good Life From A Terraced House. XX