Canary Wharf

January has been pretty quiet, mostly getting back into work, and like everyone else, recovering from a cold. So most weekends have been at home, sorting out my apartment, sleeping and watching TV. Last weekend I forced myself out of the house and meet a friend in Canary Wharf to see the light display. The exhibit is based on the interaction between light and technology with some cool interactive displays. Here are a few photos. (I haven't given explanations for all of them because frankly the reasonings behind some of them escaped me.)

Lights change as you approach and touch them,

Words are taken from the live Times internet feed.

Lit droplets of water

Fake aurora.

Playing blocks.

The tear drops spin and change shape as the speed changes. 

Physics in action!

Most of the displays were pretty (though some a bit too abstract for me). But the most interesting was an exhibit which used brain waves to control the lights. The more focused you are, the brighter and more white the lights and the higher pitched the music. Very cool.

Focused.

 Though I will admit the main reason for going was to see the giant lit bunnies.

Christmas Number 2

Because Kerry and Craig were away for Christmas, skiing, we had a second Christmas day on New Years Eve over at their house.  

Starting to cooking with a drink.

We had the full deal again, which was great, this time completed with Bucks Fizz. Kerry and Craig had been looking forward to this as their Bulgarian Christmas dinner was BBQ.

Enjoying another Christmas dinner

After dinner and a film (where most of us stayed awake), we moved onto the board games. We played the Logo game which was played last year and I lost miserably. This year I won!!! I have no idea how. It was a lot of fun and laughs, especially as my sister can give the best (and worse) clues.

Questions.

Dad doesn't know.

Snacks?

In the winning circle.

I spent a lot of time playing with the cats. Holly was on my lap within 10 mins of me getting into the house, and spent a good deal of time there which was fine with me. She loves having her belly rubbed, so she is odd for a cat. But I only got one photo of her as she was on my lap most of the time.

Holly cuddles.

Harley was more content to pose for photos, and preferred a good back scratch while walking away from you. Then coming back indignant when you don't get up and follow her to keep scratching her back. And then repeating this for ever! 

Harley.

Poser!

We spent the night (me on the squeakiest airbed I have ever heard) and I drove back on New Year's Day. As most where still hungover at this point, the drive back was uneventful and I get back in record time. :)

post-Christmas

On Boxing day, we went for our usual walk. This year was Hawkbatch wood near Arley and the weather was much nicer than last year. I didn't take many photos but did get a few selfies. 

View over the reservoir.

Most of the period between Christmas and New Year was quiet, just relaxing and doing a little shopping. On the Friday night we had a gin tasting. (I was hoping my Aunt and Uncle could come, as were they, but they got the sickness bug and colds.)

I had been collecting a bunch of gins, small bottles and tasters, and picked up some of the cheap gins from Lidl and Aldi. Surprisingly one of the Aldi ones (Topaz Blue) was very tasting and only £15.  I also got a bunch of different tonics and garnishes to see what differences these made. (The tonic really does make a huge difference.) 

It was a very good night. :) Mom isn't a great fan of gin but we convinced her to try some. And she liked them. A little too much in one case. (She was not feeling great the next day.)

Gin!

On the Saturday night, dad and I did a pamper session. He does like a good face mask. Again, mom just decided to laugh at us.

Masks.

Mom really enjoyed this bit!

Christmas

Christmas was pretty quiet with just me, mom and dad. We had a lovely dinner and shilled out.

Tree!

Mom is not impressed with her book 

Every year dad buys mom a book. One he is certain she will not like and not want to read. (No one is entirely sure why.) He is very disappointed when she does like it. This year, with his Vera Lynn biography, he was not disappointed.

Christmas drinks.

The spread.

Merry Christmas.

Chestnuts and Trains

I went back home for Christmas on the Thursday evening and spent Friday sorting out things and sleeping! On Saturday dad and I decided to to go to Arley for a walk (mom didn't want to join us)

Sunny day.

When we were little, every year we would get the steam train for Kidderminster to Arley to see Santa. So it was packed the day before Christmas Eve.

Train!

Arley station

Smokey.

Changing the time of the next train

Gone

Train drivers contemplating life.

Another reason to go was to get roasted chestnuts. I only ever seem to eat them at Christmas and dad hadn't had any this year. And they were lovely.

Munching chestnuts

We spent some more time thing photos before heading back across the river for a cup of tea.

Riverside cafe.

One the way home we stopped into my Aunt and Uncles house for a gin & tonic (or 2 for me) and a chat. I was hoping they would come over during the break but unfortunately they came down with the bug that's going around.
Christmas Eve was quiet, just getting things ready for the big day and of course watching the Hogfather, which is my and moms Christmas film and the best Christmas film there is! We also made some eggnog. Mom and dad hadn't tried it before but it was a success (though I had to use more booze than the recipe said to make mom happy!).

Eggnog.