Tales of walking, eating, watching and playing. Vintage treasures and simple pleasures ... the things that make her happy.

Thursday 3 January 2013

Say Hello, Wave Goodbye ...

  They spent Christmas Eve with the Slovaks ...
... and Christmas Day feasting with family and friends.
The little ones joking and singing.
A break in the rain on her birthday.
They ventured out.
Much of the Somerset Levels around them still under water.
Slipping and sliding along muddied paths.
Boots heavy.
Sodden, claggy earth sucking them in.
Forging on across an old bridge.
Chasing distant sunshine.
Swollen, sullied River Parrett.
Engorged and muddied.
Twice it's usual depth.
The road now passable at Parrett Works.
The crack of a clay shoot nearby.
 
Arriving home ...
Woodburners glowing.
Warmed mince pies and hot chocolate.

The next day Mr VJ whisked her away for a birthday surprise.
To Combe Grove Manor, near Bath.
Beautiful views (apparently),
but they couldn't see through the hoizontal rain!
 
They swam in the pool,
and watched a black and white movie.
They had a delicious meal here.
Unctuous carbonnade of boeuf, sweet potato mash and buttered savoy.

The following day it was STILL raining!
They shopped.
And ate at Jamie's
Sharing a plank of soft mozzarella, hams, salamis, chillis
and a salad of minted winter roots.
Rabbit ragu and fennel sausage.
On New Years Eve they partied at The Crooked House.

They said goodbye to 2012 ...
a year of mixed fortunes, a challenging year,
some sad memories ... some good ones too.

They welcomed in 2013.

Happy New Year!
Wishing you a very happy, healthy and peaceful one.

x

Hey Kris ... hope you enjoyed the 'toady'!



10 comments:

KC'sCourt! said...

Happy New Year
Julie xxxxxxxx

KC'sCourt! said...

Happy New Year
Julie xxxxxxxx

*Maristella* said...

Hi Marina.
Che meraviglia poter essere lì....sob! ;o))
Io ti auguro un meraviglioso 2013, con tutto il cuore, *Maristella*.

thriftwood said...

Happy New Year ... What a fabulous time you've had xxx

WILLIE...! =(^..^)= said...

Felice Anno Nuovo....! :).

Might just pop up to Sherborne on the 26th. Who knows....
Only if l can get the horses up and running....And, it's dry...! :<).

Young at Heart said...

sounds utterly fab....happy new year!!

Kristie said...

Hi Marina!

WOW! What a great Christmas holiday you had! I didn't realize it was your birthday? Was it the week after Christmas?

It sounds like you trip to Bath was exciting and fun. We stayed home and watched Times Square but did not make it to midnight. Oh, to get old! HAH

I am wishing you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

P.S. Somebody looks pretty muddy! HAH

Jen said...

I'm glad you found so much warmth, love, and good food amongst all that rain!

Best wishes to you and your loved ones for a healthy happy new year.

xo,

Jen

Madelief said...

Happy New Year to you and your family! Sounds like you had a good time!!

Madelief x

Am Bothan said...

Happy (belated) Birthday and Happy New Year.
Jennie