24th December, 2018...Mild and misty Christmas Eve!

What a beautiful morning, after two days of rain....we headed out at 8am in search of the sunrise.....

...sun and moon in opposition on the high level bridge! Don't we live in an atmospheric place! We then headed down to Furness Abbey.....

...which was full of frost and mist...magical!

Thirty-six years today since we met...we always go for an anniversary breakfast.....

...today we chose the very Christmassy Chandlers! It was lovely!! Then two years after, thirty-four years ago, this one arrived....

...we celebrated with an Italian flavoured family buffet, bang on the end of term!

Lots of busy weddings in the past few days...….

...and now......RELAX!! Merry Christmas to you all!

16th December 2018...Christmas Treasure!

After storm Deidre yesterday, we had to make the most of a sunny start to Sunday, and we headed down to Furness Abbey quite early...

...look at the contrasting skies...

...that's all due to come down by tea time!!!

Plenty of water in the beck now....

...and a warm welcome from Abbey Mill Café after a chilly walk! The Steve Hillman Camera popped down during the very foggy morning we had earlier in the week...

...spooky!

Christmas festivities are well and truly upon us....

...Abbey House looking festive for our Philippines meal last week, followed by the beautiful Dalton St. Mary's Christmas Tree Festival....

Not forgetting the Greengate tree!

And of course, the Furness Abbey Fellowship tree!

We loved the RNLI tree too!!

Early Christmas present from my treasured husband...he reckoned I needed cheering up!! 

The brilliant Tommy Shaw...who wouldn't be cheered up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWlfjSGrlZk

Finished the week with 'Treasure on Greengate Island', which had nods to the town's heritage, with Barrowhead village, the docks and The Harbour Inn!!

And 'HI' to Al who has returned from her Australian adventure for Christmas!

It had been a tiring but amazing week- we are lucky to have great family, fantastic friends and brilliant colleagues...thanks to all of you for your support- we treasure it!

2nd December, 2018....Damp and drizzly but delightful start to December!

Almost a month since we've ventured down to Furness Abbey....and it had the WOW! factor this morning-so atmospheric and serene.....well, it was 8am! It's been such a busy few weeks, we needed the recharging that we get from Abbey walks.....

...and BOY was it muddy!!

Fabulous wreath making workshop earlier in the week, with friends and colleagues and the marvellous Alyson from POSH flowers....

...always stunning results too!

Our annual Christmas Fair gave a stunning result too...

...the mayor AND Santa visited...

...we're giving a lot of support to the RED BOX PROJECT at the moment...

...and it was packed out...not unlike the Swan Christmas Market last week!!! 

We raised a lot of money and the children raised their own charity money with their own craft stalls, which was fabulous...it has been a real team effort this year....pretty much every child and every colleague involved- thanks to everyone, especially the parent who made and donated this! It's great to see the rise of Fairs and Fetes at the moment!

Don't forget to visit the Greengate tree at the Dalton St Mary's annual Christmas tree festival ( the tree was created by Mrs G, Mrs A and their class this year)...beautiful!

Here next week for a festive family get together before some of the family go to the Philippines for Christmas.....good luck to them!