Over Christmas and New Year 2018

Unfortunately over Christmas we all got sick with this nasty cold that is going around. I came down with it on the evening on Christmas Eve, so had a great time over Christmas. Thankfully it was very quiet with just us at home and chilling out. Lots of movies, good food and a few glasses of wine (and milk with generous amounts of brandy for the sick). 

In the week between Christmas and New Years we got a little better and had the required pamper evening. Though dad got his face mask all over the kitchen and on the carpet in the hall somehow, so the cleaning up the next day took a while. 

                                                

We also had my aunt and uncle over for a dinner party which ended with my homemade biscotti and some of the sweet holy wine I picked up in Italy. I didn't take any photos, as I was busy with the cooking etc but it was a good night.

On New Years Eve, we went over to Kerry and Craigs on the evening and spent the night. And I got to meet the new cat, Barney who is lovely but nuts. I have never meet a cat before who plays fetch. Thrown something for him and he runs after it like a loon, and brings it back to you for you to throw it again. He is a very confused creature.
As usual the trip back on New Years Day was pretty good thanks to everyone else being hungover and still home. And now, back to work. :(

Foggy Arley

On Christmas Eve, Dad and I went to Arley to get roasted chestnuts and look at the trains. It was beautiful clear skies when we left home but some serious fog when we got to the river so got some lovely photos.

However we were very disappointed when we got to the station. Apparently there is no christmas at Arley on Christmas Eve. Which meant no roasted chestnuts. We were both gutted. 

Deserted.

We ended up at the garden centre for lunch.

Worcester

On the Wednesday before Christmas, with mom at work, dad and I went to Worcester to continue his sushi education. We got there a little early and went to the Cathedral for a wonder around. It is a beautiful place and really interesting.

I did geek out a little at a couple of the tombs (which is an odd thing to say). The first was of Prince Arthur, who was Henry VIII's older brother. He was married to Katherine of Aragon, but died shortly after the wedding and apparently before they consummated the marriage. Henry VIII then went on to marry her and used the fact that she had been married to his brother as the main reason to annul the marriage 26 yrs later so he could marry Ann Boleyn. If this kid had lived and become King of England, the world may have been a very different place these days.

Prince Arthurs tomb.

The second was that of King John. He was the youngest son of Henry II, brother to King Richard the Lion Heart and the King John from the stories of Robin Hood. This guy was a nasty little man and resulted the Magna Carta, a list of rights the King and the people, signed in 1215. This was the first time a king was held reasonable his actions and to his people. (He really annoyed his lords, doing things like giving away their lands when he wanted to,  in one case stealing and marrying on of their fiancés, as well as forcing many of the wives to sleep with him and upping taxes to pay for his fun. So he had it coming.) 

He died of dissentry and broke as he lost all his money and the crown jewels in a river he was trying to cross running from his enemies. As far as I know it was the only time the French actually successfully invaded England - they were invited by the English who asked the French prince to take the English throne and get rid of John. They really didn't like him!

As soon as he died, the English stood behind his infant son as King and sent the French back home.

King John's tomb

Around the cloisters of the cathedral, there was a Christmas competition of local businesses and schools. We wondered around and cast our vote before heading for Sushi.

My favourite.

From egg boxes.

Second favourite - a rubber duck tree.

We went to Yo! Sushi for lunch and Dad continued his sushi education. I like I have him hooked!

Christmas at Wightwick

I went home for Christmas a week early thanks to a lot of holiday still to take. After a weekend of visiting family and setting up the decorations, I went with mom and dad to Wightwick Manor, which was decorated for Christmas, though sadly they had taken down a fair bit of their feminist decorations to do so.

One of the sons married an Indian Princess.

One of the owners loved Wombats.

Looking down one the great hall

Wisley Glow

A few weekends before Christmas I went to Wisley for their Winter Glow, which was ok, though nothing on Kew Gardens. Here are a few photos.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go is they have the green house open and light up. Again, it was ok but they could have done so much more.

Love the shadows. 

Elf.

Elf House

They said they had elves hidden around, but they meant they had a few at the front in a display.

It was ok but not as good as the others I had been to.