Keeping in touch

 Does anyone else have close family/relatives that live abroad - if that doesn't sound too odd. What I mean is that we have children and grandchildren that live in different parts of the world.

The internet has been very useful for keeping in touch so when they come to visit - which because of the idiotic covid restrictions etc.  we are not completely unknown to them. We were fortunate recently to see our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Whilst unfortunately the parents had to still do some work and one day were both away for the whole day it meant we had to look after our granddaughter which was lovely and because of the familiarity of seeing us online she didn't get upset and enjoyed her day. I wonder whether she would have been so relaxed had she not had that 

Lent and no Roses

 Sugar. After a great Shrove Tuesday and plenty of pancakes, what to give up for Lent? I always like to do something extra for Lent too but what to give up?

Sugar. I am going to try and give up sugar wherever possible. So that means none of the obvious - sweets, biscuits, cakes, fizzy drinks and I don't add sugar to tea or coffee so what else? It seems sugar is in so many other foods it will be hard so I think I will stick to avoiding those listed above.

Is anyone else doing something for Lent?

Freeze

We have had some lovely weather recently, clear sunny and cool days. The air seems so fresh to breathe too.

Today I spent making a farm out of Duplo ably assisted by my five year old grandson. Whilst he enjoys Lego, he still likes to play with Duplo.

Did you know that Lego brought out an even larger version called Quatro? It was only around for a couple of years as it didn't catch on. It would be interesting to know if anyone has some.

Exercise is good for you, laziness is not - The Wombles

 January is traditionally a time when people take up exercising.

It is not a bad time to start either, short daylight hours means there is a good opportunity to exercise indoors when gardening isn't too much of an option.

There are plenty of offers on equipment too. Though apart from some weights I have never thought most pieces of kit are worthwhile.

YouTube has some excellent exercise videos from the BHF and NHS which are aimed at all levels of fitness.

Sale

 Some sales started before Christmas, which I have always thought is wrong. If someone has bought an item only to find that even before the gift is unwrapped on Christmas Day it has reduced in price it is very unfair.

Having never been someone who crushed themselves in Boxing Day sales anyway it was not until yesterday that I went to the shops for the first time since before Christmas.

Did anyone get any lights or decorations in the sales for next Christmas?

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas time and will have a fantastic New Year.

It is nice to write this at half way between the two celebrations. Does anyone battle round the shops during the sales? Or nowadays is it done online?

We went to Bristol today, but not for the shops or sales. Our grandsons wanted to go the museum. Now I really like that in this technological time and despite the new toys to play with that they really wanted to go round a very traditional museum. It was further encouraging to see other families were doing the same. The dinosaurs were the big draw and we spent almost all day there. The only bizarre part of the day was that the cafe was closed between 1pm and 2pm. But we went out for something to eat and drink.

Have you all finished your turkey?

Baby it's cold outside

 It is a freezing cold day. We have a plant tray which I clean and fill with water regularly and the birds use as a bath. When I looked this morning it had three quarters of an inch of solid ice all over.

I broke it out and filled it again with water and very soon birds were having a drink - and a bath. 

I also put out bird feed but like me the local birds do not eat wheat. It seems to be in every bird feed but none of the birds we encourage, blackbirds, robins, sparrows, blue tits and great tits, goldfinches eat the wheat. Unfortunately the ubiquitous and greedy wood pigeons do and will eat everything they can. The only plus side is that the wood pigeons by eating everything left mean that we don't have any rodents scurrying around.