18th January, 2015...A sniff of winter, Blue Monday and another giant family gathering!

Beautiful sunshine on Saturday, and a distinct lack of weddings, so we headed down for an early walk to Furness Abbey.

 

 

 

A football team working out greeted us....far too intense for me...I'd rather walk (or swim)!

 

 

Beautiful view of Abbey Mill from the top of the amphitheatre....we didn't have luncheon today (been reading Wind in the Willows again!) as we knew we were heading out for another family meal in Ulverston this evening. Farmers Arms doesn't have fantastic connotations for me, but actually it was very nice, but VERY busy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My niece has outgrown us all!

 

 

About 75% of 'The Clan' in this photo! Big decisions to made this week about whether one of them escapes to work in Boston for a few years.....not an easy decision!

 

So...to bed late after drinks at the Hillman residence...to wake up to this.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got out as early as we could but by lunchtime the light drizzle had melted everything, and only the pathways at Furness Abbey remained covered. No photo opportunities today!

 

 

 

Poor old monks...they must have been freezing...an no fires allowed except in the Abbot's house and in the infirmary!

 

 

Apparently, it is Blue Monday tomorrow...the most depressing day of the year, and we have been asked if our school can provide a taste of the antithesis to this...."YES!" I answered, so look out for us on the #nwembehappy site at some point this week......

 

 

....why would you not be happy, living in a place like this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11th January, 2015...Bleak and bitter weather...!

Phew...back to school, and a week of bitterly cold gale forced winds that would give you ear ache even if you didn't have ears....I've stood our in the playground on duty this week with my scarf held over my sore ears for protection. Very bleak down at Furness Abbey today.....

Our favourite tree is down in these winds too...what a shame!

It reminds me of a poem favourite of mine....The Darkling thrush by Thomas Hardy...just that first bit...

I leant upon a coppice gate
When Frost was spectre-grey,

And Winter's dregs made desolate
The weakening eye of day.
The tangled bine-stems scored the sky     
Like strings of broken lyres,
And all mankind that haunted nigh
Had sought their household fires.

Didn't stop the intrepid Hillmans walking out....we've got all the right kit...courtesy of Jack Wolfskin and NFL hats!

We even stopped for a spot of afternoon tea at Abbey Mill Café...why wouldn't you!!

Lots to choose from, whatever the weather! We even spotted the first daffs of the season...nothing in our own garden yet though!

So...the senior section of the Hillman family headed up to Ambleside this week on the SteveHillman birthday...he had been promised an 'Apple Pie Eating House' breakfast on his next birthday by our daughter, and she kept her word!

Mr. Hillman senior completely bemused by the choices in Hayes whilst Mrs. Hillman senior chose to photobomb every picture!

And SteveHillman birthday boy bought himself a birthday present from me....was I the ONLY one at WORK?

That's him 33 years ago, when we met!!!! My hair was a similar length!!! We did have a lovely birthday meal at Oscars, Abbey House on Friday, which makes three meals and an afternoon tea there in the last month, all excellent!

Had afternoon tea there recently with some of my crazy but lovely colleagues/friends, and as I watched yet another re run of my favourite Sherlock (the Benedict Cumberbatch version) last night, I was reminded of a conversation we had about how much we liked Mark Gatiss- described by one friend as very...pointy!!! Actually, she's right, and it set me off howling again!

4th January, 2015...Happy New Year....!

With a New Year's Eve wedding and various other happenings, it's taken us this long to do our first blog of 2015!!! The weather was lovely yesterday but very cold, and today has followed suit but without the winter sunshine.

No shortage of people down here today though, dog walking and partaking of the excellent food and drink at Abbey Mill!

 

 

Cute wild-life too!!

 

 

 

Frank has been bought a new coat by Santa, so he has no option but to wear it at the moment, and it's killing him!!

 

 

 

Some stunning photography from the Steve Hillman camera when he popped down here the other day in between wedding 'sessions'.....

 

 

 

 

Wuthering Heights or what...! So, after watching Tony Robinson walking through Bronte Country last night, we had a discussion about the best Heathcliffe portrayal...

 

 

 

....no contest (as I'm sure my colleague and friend Gracie would agree!)!!!

 

 

 

These brown and white sheep seem to making an appearance amongst the usual breeds of sheep down here...the are called Jacobs I think, and would seem to be quite a rare breed...never seen them down here before??

 

We took a walk over to Ormsgill Quarry last night in the last of the winter sunshine...actually this photo was taken at 4.15pm, so it wasn't even evening really...it is lovely over on How Tun Woods and the quarry...you should take a walk up there if you haven't tried it. In front of us was the sunset, and directly behind us was the moonrise...stunning!

 

 

 

 

Yes, that IS a Steve Hillman photograph taken with a 28-300 Canon zoom lens (so he tells me!!).

 

 

This little 'Helli-med' was just landing as we walked past FGH on the way home today...we always stop and watch because the pilot, crew and medics are just so inspiring, they way they save lives on a daily basis....it brings a lump to your throat.....and our friend was driving the ambulance too, so she gave us a wave!!

 

 

 

Back to work tomorrow.....actually it has been a lovely Christmas break this year...all about family and friends....and carrot cake, of course (just off to ice another one now)!!!