Friday, 23rd December 2022 - Breakfast at Water Lane

What a treat I had today. Tim and I met with friends for breakfast. I had a crispy bacon roll with brown sauce and copious cafetieres of coffee. The beans and greens were delicious, I had a taste from Tim's plate. The baked eggs will hopefully be on the menu for the next time I visit. How very decadent.

I am typing as my son rummages in the fridge for a beer after a long drive from Northampton. It is good to have him and his dog Fable home for Christmas.

Breakfast at Water Lane
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 7th December 2022 - Carols at Canterbury Cathedral

You will be pleased to know that my sourdough starter has revived. I have a loaf rising.

I had a tearful treat today. Hetty was singing in the choir with her school Barton Court Grammar. There was a spare ticket for me. What a glorious service. There were brass and woodwind ensembles, the orchestra playing a Carol of Bells was incredible. I cried singing Once in Royal David's City - my Mum would have loved to have been there. I miss my Mum. I adored the whole hour and fifteen minutes. Harriet and I were privileged to be there. My granddaughter was a delight. It was dark driving home. I couldn't remember ever seeing a Belisha beacon on my journeys home from Wickhambreaux. Whoops wrong turning.

I am really happy to have retrieved my watercolour paints and brushes. It feels good to be painting again.

Carols at Canterbury Cathedral

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 5th December 2022 - After The Show

I took my sourdough starter out the fridge this morning and told it, "Time to wake up" I am sure I am not the only baker who talks to their bread.

I love these short days with dark mornings and afternoons. I can condense leaf raking to daylight hours and not feel even a tiny bit guilty about having to come inside because I can't see beyond the end of my rake. This is not a daily activity as I can only manage a couple of hours before I am worn out. It does help having an audio book playing in my ears. I am enjoying being frightened by John Sandford books. 

Last Saturday evening we to see A Christmas Carol performed by a travelling theatre company. Harriet, Hetty and Raffy joined us. We took torches, put on waterproof footwear and strode across the fields to the theatre at Benenden Girls School. It was a great production full of wonderful costumes, I love a bit of velvet, frightening characters, Raffy's quiet chatter calmed her nerves, wine and Maltesers during the interval and a wander home back down the fields. I am now beginning to feel a bit festive.

After The Show
Pen and Watercolour