Christmas shopping, without a mall

For the first time we are Christmas shopping and getting cheerful and comforting things ready for our new nest, in the cold!! This is very different from our southern hemisphere sun-blistered Christmas.

Shopping outdoors in the freezing cold didn't sound appealing to me but when we got to the nearby town is was so lovely and festive.  Carol singers and the brightly decorated stalls of pastries, brutwurst rolls, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and on and on, line the squares and streets.

And our favourite - 'Churrrrrros', I exclaimed through chattering teeth.

It might be blustery but its also merry and carnivalesque.

Exiting the Art School

Happiness is...

a pretty nook for a bit of contemplation.

Armistice Day

Armistice Day is celebrated on the 11th of November, and this year was the 100th year memorial.
1918-2018

There was a free exhibition in town and one day last week after a run, I walked in there not  expecting to get emotional.  But the sacrifice and stories of the soldiers, letters home, the horror of war, family and friends lost and friendships forged, as well as the strength of the family at home were very moving.  I had walked past the homes of some of these families many times... I reflected on what must have gone on behind those windows 1914-1918.  At church before the two minutes of silence, a war veteran paid tribute to the soldiers of WW1 and the service men today. It was all very honouring and real this past week... not just a section in my history textbook.

And all week people everywhere wore their poppies on their lapel with pride, and the cathedral tower was lit in red at night and poppies were attached to everything... it was truly beautiful and highly affecting.  Lest we forget.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below  ~  John McCrae

Autumn hues and more

Autumn is such a beautiful time in England.  Harvest festivals, bonfire nights, cider, spiced drinks and cakes of every kind... and the trees are gorgeous.  The falling of the leaves and the changing colour of the landscape is breathtaking.

Beautiful fireworks at the bonfire, set to The Greatest Showman

(could just never exactly capture the fantastical moments)

Fields of leaves crackling under your feet

So the favourite teatime treat at the moment is Pumpkin cinnamon latte with Apple spice cake (it also being apple harvest season), preferabley by a fireplace, with a good view out of the window, in order to enjoy the leaves cavorting about.

And lots of baking is taking place in the chilly weather, treats that remind me of my SA home, like Crunchies

Country air

One of the best parts of my day is my daily walk or run... I can't think that I will ever tire of the wide open fields or the little paths through the woods.  Regardless of what I may be reflecting on or wrestling with on the inside, it always lifts my heart.  Something about drinking in gulps of fresh fragrant air, open skies and beauty for miles... as I take in the view, so my point of view is altered.  

All the tractors have been going back and forth for the last two months with the hay stacks, wood and more.  Now its time to store for the winter months.  Beautiful.

Indeed, the earth does rejoice and declare his faithfulness! 

The next book

So after looking at what to read next, from this pile by my bed, I chose instead to pick up 'River, cross my heart',  a book that I bought more than a decade ago.  It was hidden somewhere on the bookshelf.  And I'm loving it.