A few of my favourite things

The 2009 nativity at St Mark's Church in Mansfield, Nottingham

This rather a late addition to my blog but it would be remiss of me not to add it in.

A simple storey, simply told but with with humour and conviction by Claire. She and the small cast, entertained and renewed us with Christ's birth story. (There is a bit more info and a picture, on St Mark's website: www.stmarksmansfield.org.uk)

Baby Jesus, reminds me of a poignant question Peter Hill asked last year, at Claire's school Carole concert:

'The miracle is: the baby left at our door

The challenge is: who will take the baby in?

PS: Did you know that Bethlehem means - 'House of Bread'?

The small but select nativity cast. (The little angels had not joined in yet.)

Our Claire the narrator, as told from the donkey's point of view. She delivered the nativity story as if she were there, all those years ago. Claire did us proud and what's more, she enjoyed it!

The Christmas altar

I wish we could lock down the snow and keep it forever!

Gone for a walk in Blidworth Bottoms with my French friend Cathy and husband Andrew, the day before it snowed.

Monty enjoying a good lick on Claire's duvet.

Pat and Mac's annual walk on Boxing day.

Each year, we are invited to join Pat and Mac and their friends (and family, if around), on their annual walk. They have been doing this now for over 30 years I believe!

We leave directly from their front door and very soon find ourselves in the middle of the countryside. Glorious! The route is varied each year. Half way, we are treated to warming mushroom soup and hotdogs. After this delicious nourishment, we fall into a pub a little further on for a drink, some banter and warmth. Then it's onwards and homewards, back to Ilkeston for some delicious Scandinavian grub, glög (Gluhwein to you and me) or whatever takes your fancy. There are quizzes to puzzle over, a code to unravel and pictures to identify. If all that is too much after a good long walk, we have a few laughs, chat or just curl up and catch a quick snooze.

Andrew and I (sometimes Claire) have been joining the Campbell's for 6 years now and hope to join them again, as often as we are able.

Many tkx to Pat and Mac for the invites, exercise, good company and delicious food!

Ps: Correction: I made a mistake earlier on, by saying that Cossall is in Derbyshire. It is fact in Nottinghamshire. (Oeps)

The equally beautiful pediment, on Pat and Mac's house, where we started and ended our Boxing day walk. After a good day's walking, we received a warm welcome, warming glög and some of Reenie's finest pizzas!

Beautiful Victorian adornment on a residential property in Ilkeston.