Dining Out

We have just had the best weekend for fine food and good company: After a superb pub meal at The Royal Oak, we went on to John's 50th party at Gotherington. On Saturday we enjoyed a crisp winter's morning walk from home, on which we saw three deer who did their best to pretend they were statues. After an evening meal with the Fern's we visited One Church at Gloucester and then were taken out to lunch by Simon and Ally at the wonderful Hatton Court Hotel. We sat at a window seat with terrific views over Robinswood, South Gloucestershire and the Severn Valley. We've been truly spoilt!

Porthcawl

Driving through frost and fog, Luke, Jerry, Tim and Will reached sunny Porthcawl. The freezing water stacked up nicely into lines and after a battle to get out-back, the boys tried out some moves, with Will christening his new board. Being the only paddleboarder, Jerry was of interest to the locals who gave him a respectfully wide berth every time he popped into view on the lip of an over head height. We only managed 5 hours before it went flat. We won't lie to you, it was lush.

Entertainment

Vish and Luke donned blindfolds so they couldn't see the audience's reaction to their improvisation (they couldn't be bothered to practice) piece at the (last?) Nepal Expedition fundraiser. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.

Ice

Despite the snow thawing, watersporting had to wait because none of our gear is equipped with ice-breaking technology. A thick layer covered the lake which we walked around instead of across! The ice contained swirls of patterns and ridges which looked awesome. The wildfowl had stamped hard enough on one bit to make a small paddling area, otherwise it was solid H2O. Later, back home we roasted some chestnuts and scoffed them.

In a Land

We sandwiched gleaming new comedy snow movie pickings between comedy intros and outtros after a cool day with Luke and the lads at 'drainpipe'. Snowboarding sans footstraps presented a fresh challenge which we rose to admirably. Comment if you like the voiceovers!

Waterproofs

Dangerous dark downhill daring do from the Kings of the Hill. The soundtrack of the movie of the sledging. Awesome.

Snow

Despite -14 degrees C being recorded just north of us overnight, sunshine and snow is the perfect sledging combo. So off we went, wearing thermals and thick socks; returning surprisingly injury free, with big smiles on our faces. Check it out below:

Sparrowhawk

The North Easterly winds which brought icy temperatures last week finally dumped snow across the country. The traditional services grinding-to-a-halt began. A sparrow hawk terrorised 'our' robin on a rare garden visit. The cocky red-breasted fella left a bit sharpish. Suprisingly, nothing else seemed interested in the bird feeder seeds with the hawk sat beneath it!

Another Fine January Day

With the low sun melting the ice on the southern facing slopes, we journeyed along the Cotswold Way from the wonderfully pretty village of Painswick up to the Iron Age fortifications atop Painswick Beacon. The clear air afforded 360 degree views all the way to the horizon, which in some directions was quite far. We took lunch overlooking another Iron Age fort from the safety of the Shab Hill viewpoint. Freezing but satisfying.

New Year's Day 2010

We saw the New Year in with The Lynch's and the Workman's and some bubbly, after a top notch dinner followed by quizzes. Jerry blew away the cobwebs with a frosty bike ride over the nearby hills and then we all enjoyed a traditional New Year walk on a beautiful day. Hope the sun stays out for the rest of the year.