Well, how was your Christmas?

The Christmas tree, fairy lights and other decorations went up around the house three weeks ago. The turkey was ordered for delivery on the 23rd, presents were bought, though entirely online, and all was going smoothly - though nothing like normally. Then Naomi and Eddie had Covid symptoms.

We all had to isolate. It was easy enough. Nome and Ed live in a totally self-contained annexe to the house; Grace, Jess and I had the rest of it to ourselves. Eddie's sister shopped for them, and Steve picked up a Sainsbury's click and collect order for us.

None of us is vaccinated, so Naomi and Eddie's symptoms were very mild, and their temperatures were back to normal by day six. The PM hadn't announced that Christmas together had been banned, so, after our compulsory test results - all negative, of course - we all emerged from isolation on Christmas Eve, and our friend Michelle set off to join us. Steve, Karolina and Nina arrived the next morning.

Nina had just seen her first Christmas tree. I think she was impressed.

For the first time in very many years, we didn't go to Church on Christmas morning. Some folk are very wary of the unvaxxed, and we didn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. But the day went on otherwise as normal; a lot of chat and laughter, a wonderful dinner, crackers (each of which contained a number relating to a bag that contained an eighth of a jigsaw puzzle which  we created together after the meal), presents distributed from under the tree, and various games. All accompanied by much laughter.

The jigsaw puzzle

Some while after a late tea, we all headed for our beds, tired (especially Grace, who had done most of the cooking) and very happy.

Boxing Day requires a good walk. Ours this year was in the late afternoon. Naomi knew that barn owls were to be seen at dusk in the Heartwood Forest, a short drive from home, so just before sunset, off we went.

The owls put in no appearance, but the walk through increasingly thickening mist was very enjoyable - and much needed!

So, how was your Christmas? Please, tell us about it in the comment box below.

Christmas 2016 on board NB Kantara

A walk in the woods

With the weather being as damp, cold and thoroughly miserable, (or is that me?) we've rather badly neglected the need to walk. Like, walk for some decent time and distance. The ten minute walk to Budgens doesn't really fit the bill, and walking around any of the several nearby blocks of houses soon becomes very boring. But yesterday, the sun was out, the sky was blue, there was not a cloud to spoil the view, so we drove the couple of miles to Heartwood Forest. (Yes, we could have walked that, too, but we were out of practice, and afraid that we might be too zonked to walk back.)

The forest’s 858-acre site rises from what was once mainly agricultural land. It’s so big that it’s now the largest continuous new native forest in England. It's still young, and, apart from an area of ancient bluebell woods, doesn't fit one's normal understanding of a forest. But it's beautiful, and it was a privilege to be there.

This is the best we could do to get a photo of one of the myriad skylarks that could be heard in the trees and hedges all the way along our walk.

A local wood carver was employed to create features along the way. The rabbit in the first photo is one of many wild animals carved out of a tree trunk. This archway is made of huge pieces of local oak, carved with intricate designs.

There are several routes to follow.

Today, the weather's just like yesterday's. I think we'll be visiting the forest a lot for our lockdown exercise now.

This is to remind us what the boat looks like. The way things are at the moment, we just might be able to return to her in April. Roll on!